Have you been having trouble reaching that intense finish line but do not have a clue what could be the issue? Well, you are not alone. According to research, more than 40% of men face delayed ejaculation (DE) problems, but almost 30% do not know the medical condition.

Dealing with DE can be frustrating, and it can lead to low self-esteem and other deeper psychological issues like depression. Nevertheless, like with other sexual dysfunction problems, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

With that, know more about delayed ejaculation causes, the symptoms associated with DE, and the treatment options available.

Delayed Ejaculation Demystified

Male orgasmic disorder
Delayed ejaculation is a medical condition that makes it challenging or impossible to have an ejaculation or reach orgasm. It is also referred to as impaired ejaculation, diminished ejaculation, retarded ejaculation, and even male orgasmic disorder.

As per studies, the exact time of ‘starting to thrust ‘and ejaculation varies. However, the average intravaginal ejaculator latency time is estimated to be six to ten minutes. Therefore, if a man takes more than 30 minutes of penetrative sex to orgasm despite a normal erection, that is deemed as DE. In addition to taking longer to have an ejaculation, men that experience delayed ejaculation symptoms find the process of reaching orgasm a challenge.

In some cases, men with DE do not get an orgasm or ejaculate semen even with substantial sexual stimulation. Another 10% only have intense orgasms by seeking alternative sexual activities like masturbation.

While society deems ‘longer-lasting sex’ as an incredible thing, based on scientific fact, delayed ejaculation causes frustration, discomfort, and diminished confidence. It can also result in relationship issues like fear of rejection for you and your partner and concerns for those wishing to start a family.

Causes of Delayed Ejaculation

Causes of Delayed Ejaculation
Delayed ejaculation can either be biological or psychological. Psychological causes can happen due to traumatic experiences, depression, or performance anxiety. It can also be a result of beliefs that give sexual intercourse a negative connotation.

On the other hand, biological delayed ejaculation causes result from surgeries, medications, and specific chronic health issues.

Here’s a detailed rundown of the potential causes of DE.

Psychological Causes of Delayed Ejaculation

Some of the potential psychological delayed ejaculation causes include:

  • Performance Anxiety – It is one of the most common delayed ejaculation causes. Even if you have not had a panic attack yet or do not understand how anxiety works, it is normal to feel anxious about sex. However, this might lead to symptoms like erectile dysfunction or ejaculation problems.
  • Fear of Intimacy or Pregnancy – People have varying phobias and fear of intimacy or concerns about getting your partner pregnant may impact your ability to have an orgasm or factor into delayed ejaculation.
  • Medical Conditions – Various mental health issues are associated with delayed ejaculation, including anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression.
  • Conflicts with Your Sexual Partner – You might find it hard to have an orgasm or ejaculate if you do not have feelings of attraction toward your partner or are unhappy because of an argument or conflict.
  • Conditioning Due to Masturbation – If you masturbate often, or are addicted to porn, there is a chance that it could contribute to erectile dysfunction, including impaired ejaculation.
  • Religious or Cultural Convictions – If your faith is strong or culture prohibits sexual acts before marriage, you will view sex as sinful or inappropriate. In such cases, you might find it hard to have an orgasm or ejaculate.
  • Traumatic Events – Certain sexual traumatic events like worries about your sexual partner’s past sex life or a negative experience with sex might make it difficult for you to have an orgasm or ejaculate.

Physical Causes of DE

Physical Causes of DE
Sometimes delayed ejaculation might result from certain physical or biological factors like nerve damage or over-indulgence in specific medication. These potential delayed ejaculation causes include:

  • Alcohol – It has been linked to a long list of sexual performance problems, including sexual dysfunction. The excess consumption of alcohol can also lead to delayed ejaculation.
  • Use of Specific Medication – One of the significantly delayed ejaculation causes is using certain meds like antidepressants, hypertension, anti-seizure medications, and even diuretics.
  • Nerve Damage – The pelvic nerves control your ability to have orgasms and ejaculation. Therefore, when they are damaged due to stroke, diabetic neuropathy, or carpal tunnel syndrome, it can lead to anejaculation.
  • Infections – There are infections like urinary tract infection that lead to DE or even premature ejaculations.
  • Retrograde Ejaculation – It is an uncommon erectile dysfunction issue. However, retrograde ejaculation causes semen to be released in your bladder rather than outwards from the penis. You might be able to reach the ‘finish line’ but ejaculate a small amount of semen or none at all.
  • Hormonal Issues – It is one of the most popular delayed ejaculation causes. When you have low testosterone levels or hypothyroidism, you might not be able to reach orgasm or not ejaculate at all.

Symptoms of Delayed Ejaculation

Symptoms of Delayed Ejaculation
There are numerous delayed ejaculation symptoms though they vary in severity. While research has specified the exact amount of time to determine if someone has delayed ejaculation, most sex experts consider the 30 minutes plus range to be a sign of DE.

Some of the common delayed ejaculation symptoms include:

  • Needing more than 30 minutes or more sexual stimulation to orgasm or ejaculate.
  • Finding it challenging or impossible to ejaculate is one of the most popular delayed ejaculation symptoms and is referred to as anejaculation. Anejaculation also occurs with or without an orgasm.
  • Only ejaculating while masturbating. It is the 21st Century’s most common delayed ejaculation symptoms. A handful of men, based on research, find it hard to reach orgasm or ejaculate during sex but can quickly do so when masturbating. This situation sparks arguments and conflicts between many couples.
  • Taking breaks from sex due to symptoms. One might experience fatigue during sexual intercourse because of exertion. Your partner might also have physical irritations or lose your erection during sexual acts.
  • Feeling distressed. You might feel frustrated or unhappy because of your inability to ejaculate or have an orgasm.

Typically, these symptoms vary. However, to get a precise diagnosis and recommend a delayed ejaculation treatment, most sexual health experts categorize DE into:

  • Lifelong delayed ejaculation – It occurs since the onset of sexual maturity. Men who have lifelong delayed ejaculation symptoms find it hard to either orgasm or ejaculate.
  • Acquired delayed ejaculation – It happens after a certain period of an active and ‘normal’ sex life.
  • Generalized delayed ejaculation – Those who experience these delayed ejaculation symptoms have issues with either their partners due to an experience or certain forms of sexual stimulations.
  • Situational delayed ejaculation – Those with these delayed ejaculation symptoms might only find it hard to squirt out semen in specific circumstances.

The Treatment Options for Delayed Ejaculation

The ideal delayed ejaculation treatment depends on the underlying issue. If you have had lifelong problems, or never ejaculated before, a urologist can figure out if you have any congenital structural disabilities.

1. Medications

Your doctor can also figure out if certain medications are the cause of your DE issues. If so, you will make adjustments to your meds or curate a customized delayed ejaculation treatment for you and regularly monitor your symptoms.

While there have not been any official FDA-approved drugs for delayed ejaculation treatment, physicians can prescribe off-label medication. These meds include but are not limited to:

  • Cabergoline (Dostinex) – A dopamine agonist
  • Buspar (Buspirone) – Anxiety medication
  • Cyproheptadine (Periactin) – Allergy remedy
  • Bupropion
  • Amantadine
  • Oxytocin
  • Ephedrine
  • Midodrine

Your doctor might also recommend testosterone injections if hypogonadism is your diagnosis.

2. Therapy

Others might benefit from therapy sessions. One of the most common therapies used as a delayed ejaculation treatment is psychotherapy. It might take months or even years for therapy sessions to do the trick, but it is projected to have a 70% to 80% success rate.

3. Lifestyle Changes

However, if your delayed ejaculation problem results from lifestyle factors like alcohol or lack of intimacy, then making certain life-altering decisions might be your ideal delayed ejaculation treatment. Some of these changes include:

Communicating with your partner to get rid of the performance anxiety and reduce any sexual pressure. Proper communication leads to healthy and enjoyable sex life.

If you are an alcohol addict, then you need to seek treatment from a certified rehabilitation center. With the proper treatment and guidance, your DE issues might be rectified and you can have intense orgasms and fulfilling sex life.

4. Exercises for Delayed Ejaculation

Another necessary delayed ejaculation treatment is exercise. It can do so much with reducing the episodes of delayed ejaculation.

With the best exercises for delayed ejaculation, you can kick the performance anxiety or other biological challenges to the curb and have a healthy sex life.

Some of the ideal exercises for delayed ejaculation include:

  • Kegel Exercises – These are the best and most recommended exercises for delayed ejaculation. According to a 2014 Therapeutic Advances in Urology study, strengthening your muscles helps you manage erectile dysfunction issues like DE. It helps you control your ejaculatory reflex, thus allowing you to have intense orgasms and healthy ejaculations.
  • Pause-Squeeze Technique – It is one of the ideal exercises for delayed ejaculation. It helps you manage DE by letting arousal dwindle before you reach climax. When you are about to have an orgasm, have your sexual partner squeeze your penis where the head joins the shaft. It will not only allow you to have a memorable orgasm but also will enable you to ejaculate.
  • Limiting anxietyPerformance anxiety is one of the most significant causes of delayed ejaculation. To handle pressure, try running, dancing to your favorite tune, or strength-training before having sex. You might also want to take a warm and relaxing bath laced with lavender.
  • Yoga – It is one of the best exercises for delayed ejaculation. Yoga practices like Virabhadrasana calm your nerves while preventing your brain from worrying to overthinking.
  • Deep Breathing – Trying mind-body interventions such as meditation helps you keep your tension at bay. Take a deep breath, hold for five seconds and then let out all your anxieties. It will help you boost your confidence and help you manage erectile dysfunction issues.

    You might also want to try asanas like Mukha Svanasana, which increases your pelvic strength to allow you to have a healthy ejaculation.

  • Changing Positions – It is easily dismissed, but it’s one of the ideal exercises for delayed ejaculation. Try having your partner on top or have sex in your favorite room and you might be able to have your swimmers disgorged.

Overcome Delayed Ejaculation

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, they do, and one of the pills for delayed ejaculation is TestoGO. The formula features herbal ingredients that boost your lovemaking libido and sexual stamina. This testosterone booster is also a good option for promoting your self-esteem, thus helping you manage your delayed ejaculation concerns.

Some of the most prevalent complications of delayed ejaculation include:

  • Sexual anxiety
  • Low libido
  • Male infertility
  • Diminished sexual pleasure
  • Depression
  • Relationship conflicts stemming from misunderstandings

Not necessarily. Some men might experience DE by watching too much porn or continuously masturbating. Nonetheless, there is no scientific evidence to prove that ejaculating every day is unhealthy. Daily ejaculations have no side effects provided that it is not linked to chronic masturbation issues or lingering porn addiction.

Conclusion

Delayed ejaculation is exasperating and can significantly lead to long-term depression if it impacts your ability to enjoy sexual activities.

Nevertheless, there are delayed ejaculation treatment options that can allow you to orgasm and ejaculate effortlessly during sex.

If you suspect that you have prolonged delayed ejaculation issues, be sure to talk to your physician or urologist and figure out the best way to manage the symptoms.