Is faster better? Not always.
What is the most common sexual health problem affecting men? That’s easy, it’s erectile dysfunction, right? Nope. Try premature ejaculation. Hands down more common than erection issues, affecting 25-40% of men in the U.S.
Variably called early ejaculation, or early or rapid climax, it is defined as male ejaculation earlier than the subject or his partner desires. It used to be defined as ejaculation within 2 minutes of sexual intercourse, until it was realized that 75% of men ejaculate within 2 minutes in over half of their sexual encounters. What the definition really implies is that is some element of poor control over ejaculation that is stressful and may result in interpersonal difficulty.
Is this a medical disorder? In some cases, yes. Think of ejaculation as a reflex, like sneezing. There is a point of no return and this is what comes too soon in men with early ejaculation. The problem has two forms: lifelong and recent. The former is believed to result from low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5HT) that normally modulates the ejaculation reflex. The recent form does not have as clear a biological basis, but may occur from psychological stress or from the need to overcome an erection problem.
The good news is that there are treatments available, and more treatments being reviewed by the FDA. Currently, the most effective treatments are pills called SSRIs, which elevate 5-HT levels and include anti-depressants such as Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, and Lexapro. A newer form of SSRI drug, called Priligy, is now available in nine countries but has still not been FDA approved in the states. Also, a metered-dose aerosol spray has been developed to increase time to ejaculation by numbing the skin on the penis and decreasing sensation. Maybe this will help. Unfortunately, with all drug treatments for this condition, when the drugs are stopped, the issue generally returns.
What I find interesting is that companies are vigorously trying to drum up sympathy and attention for premature ejaculation as a widespread medical disorder, when in many cases it may be only an occasional annoyance that does not need constant treatment. Treatment might be perfect for a few men with debilitating disease, but it appears that they are trying to create and market a whole new category of disease. Good idea: create a “huge unmet need,” an epidemic that is perfect for a blockbuster, quality of life drug. Well what about a pill for shyness, or talking too fast? Where does it end? The larger issue here might be the “medicalization” of our daily lives in which there is a healthy and wide variation of normal.
Do I believe that some men have debilitating early ejaculation? You bet, and I see them every day. Do I think that a pill will treat this issue? Sure, for many, but only while you take it. Will blockbuster pills be the cure-all for early ejaculation? No way. The cure will come with more holistic treatment, by empowering men through behavioral changes that teach them to control and “own” the problem. Works superbly for my patients, pill or no pill.
Related posts:
Bert Hermanus
February 19, 2010
Hey I just wanted to let you know, I really like the written material on your website. But I am utilising Flock on a machine running version 9.04 of Crashbang Ubuntu and the UI aren’t quite satisfactory. Not a important deal, I can still basically read the articles and research for information, but just wanted to inform you about that. The navigation bar is kind of challenging to apply with the config I’m running. Keep up the superb work!