A health condition in which it takes a prolonged time of sexual arousal to reach climax and release semen from the penile (ejaculate) is called delayed ejaculation. In some cases, people with this condition cannot ejaculate at all.
While delayed ejaculation may be temporary it also can be a long-term problem. This condition usually occurs due to certain underlying diseases, surgeries, or medications. Physicians often recommend different treatments for people with delayed ejaculation because it depends on several factors. These include your age, the severity of the condition, other existing health problems, and others.
Some people may experience this disease from time to time. Generally, delayed ejaculation causes stress and concerns for you and your partner.
Symptoms
However, there are no specific set times that indicate delayed ejaculation. While some people need minutes of sexual stimulation to have an orgasm and ejaculate, others may not ejaculate at all (also called anejaculation).
Those who experience this condition usually feel distressed because it sometimes may mean stopping sexual intercourse due to physical irritation, tiredness, or loss of erection.
Commonly, trouble reaching orgasm during sexual intercourse or other sexual activities with a partner occurs. Moreover, some people can ejaculate only when masturbating. However, this condition is classified into two groups based on the symptoms. For example:
- Lifelong versus acquired – While lifelong delayed ejaculation persists from the sexual maturity time, the acquired type occurs after a period of normal sexual functioning.
- Generalized versus situational – Situational delayed ejaculation happens under specific conditions but the generalized type is not limited to sexual partners and other kinds of arousal.
It is advised to see a healthcare professional if this condition causes problems for you or your partner, administer medicines that cause the condition, or experience other symptoms along with this condition.
Causes
There are some surgeries and medicines that cause delayed ejaculation. Some people may experience it due to substance misuse or mental health problems (including anxiety, depression, or stress). In most cases, this condition occurs due to a combination of physical and psychological factors. Check below some psychological factors that may cause delayed ejaculation:
- Mental disorders (such as depression, anxiety, and others)
- Relationship problems caused by stress or lack of communication
- Poor body image
- Religious or cultural taboos
- Differences between sexual fantasies and real sexual partner
Medications that may cause this condition include:
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Water pills (also known as diuretics)
- Antiseizure medications
- Misuse of alcoholic drinks
Additionally, check below some physical causes of delayed ejaculation:
- Birth defects that negatively affect the reproductive system
- Pelvic nerve injuries
- Infections (including sexually transmitted infections or urinary tract infections)
- Prostate surgery (such as transurethral resection or the prostate, or prostatectomy)
- Neurological diseases (such as diabetic neuropathy, stroke, nerve damage, and others)
- Hormone-related diseases (including hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, and others)
- Retrograde ejaculation (a condition in which semen goes backward into the bladder rather than out of the penile)
Risk Factors
Check below some factors that may elevate your risk of developing delayed ejaculation:
- Certain medicines (such as antidepressants)
- Health conditions (such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and others)
- Relationship problems
- Heavy alcohol drinking
- Medical treatments (such as prostatectomy)
- Psychological issues (including depression)
- Older age
What Are The Possible Complications of Delayed Ejaculation?
If you do not get treatment for this condition, you may experience some complications. Examples include:
- Relationship problems caused by a poor sex life
- Anxiety and stress when it comes to engaging in sexual activity
- Reduced pleasure for your partner
- Infertility (inability to get your partner pregnant)
Diagnosis
In most cases, physicians diagnose this condition by performing a physical examination and evaluation of your medical history. However, they may perform some tests to check for health conditions that cause delayed ejaculation. For example:
- Blood tests – A blood test is done to check for heart conditions, diabetes, hormone level abnormalities, and other possible health problems.
- Urinalysis (urine test) – This test is usually done by doctors to check for infections, diabetes, and others.
Treatment
While the treatment differs among people with delayed ejaculation it usually includes medications and psychological counseling for substance use disorder (if needed).
Medicines
Sometimes, people take certain medications that cause this condition, and reducing the dose or changing the medicine may help treat the condition. However, there are no specific medications approved for delayed ejaculation treatment and physicians prescribe certain medicines primarily used to treat other health problems. For example:
- Allergy medicines (such as Cyproheptadine)
- Anxiety drugs (such as Buspirone)
- Medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease (such as Amantadine)
Psychological Counseling
This treatment option may help you cope with certain mental disorders linked with delayed ejaculation (such as anxiety, depression, and others). You may see the psychologist or mental health counselor alone or with your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I help my boyfriend with delayed ejaculation?
Sometimes, people use vibrators in their sexual intercourse to help stimulate the men to orgasm. Healthcare professionals may perform some tests to check Testosterone and Prolactin levels in men with this condition.
What are the primary causes of delayed ejaculation?
Commonly, people experience this problem due to medicines, surgeries (such as prostatectomy), or other health conditions). For more details, discuss it with your healthcare professional.
What are the delayed ejaculation complications?
These include:
- Poor sexual life that causes relationship problems
- Stress and anxiety
- Sexual dissatisfaction
- Inhibited sexual desire
- Infertility
- Low self-esteem
If you experience any of the previous complications, you should contact your healthcare professional immediately. If you have additional questions, ask your physician.
