Premature Ejaculation

What is premature ejaculation?

Premature ejaculation is a common ejaculation problem for some men and is sometimes called rapid ejaculation. It is where ejaculation happens sooner than the male or their partner would like during sex.

There are two types of premature ejaculation:

• Primary – this is when premature ejaculation begins when a man becomes sexually active
• Secondary – occurs later on in sexual life and suddenly happens

How common is premature ejaculation in the UK?

Premature ejaculation is quite common affecting between 20 and 30% of men. However, this figure could be higher because some men are embarrassed and reluctant to report it.

If you find you are frequently experiencing premature ejaculation, you may need treatment to help you last longer in bed.

What are the symptoms of premature ejaculation?

Premature ejaculation occurs when you reach orgasm earlier than you or your partner would like.

How premature ejaculation presents can vary with some men reaching orgasm during foreplay while others may be able to have penetrative sex but not for as long as their partner or they would like.

The average time to ejaculate during sex is 5.5 minutes but this can vary between couples and there is no set time for how long sex should last.

What causes premature ejaculation?

Premature ejaculation does not have a definitive cause, but it can be the result of a combination of factors. It can be caused by psychological or physical causes, including:

Physical causes

• Prostate issues
• An under or overactive thyroid
• Use of recreational drugs

Psychological causes

• Stress
• Depression
• Relationship problems
• Anxiety about sexual performance

If premature ejaculation has been present since you first became sexually active, possible causes can include:

• Traumatic childhood sexual experiences
• Early sexual experiences that impact sexual behaviour
• Strict upbringing
• Biological causes such as enhanced sensitivity

How do I know what’s causing my premature ejaculation?

Getting to know the root cause of premature ejaculation may not always be possible. There may be ways to determine if the condition is a consequence of something you may have experienced early in life or if there is an underlying medical issue that’s contributing to it. You could assess this by looking at your history, has the issue been there from your first sexual encounters? Is it something that has just started? If you believe you may have an underlying medical condition, such as an overactive or underactive thyroid, getting help for this may improve your sexual function.

Whatever the answer, the good news is premature ejaculation can improve with treatment.

How to get premature ejaculation diagnosed in the UK?

If you are struggling with premature ejaculation or it is affecting your relationship, you should make an appointment with a clinician for a diagnosis.

Premature ejaculation is a relatively common issue in the UK and can be treated. Your clinician will ask you some questions about your medical history to identify any possible underlying causes which may need treating. If there is no definitive cause, you may be offered premature ejaculation treatments.

Premature ejaculation treatments

There are several premature ejaculation treatments available in the UK, including some which are available over the counter without a prescription. Antidepressants are used to delay ejaculation, but there are also other direct forms of medication including tablets, creams, and desensitizing sprays.

Premature ejaculation pills

At Prescription Doctor, we offer Priligy 30mg tablets for the treatment of premature ejaculation. It is a prescription-only tablet which contains the active ingredient dapoxetine. In studies, dapoxetine was shown to improve premature ejaculation in 28.4% of men after 24 weeks.

How do you take premature ejaculation pills?

The recommended dose for Priligy is one 30 mg tablet which should be taken 1 to 3 hours before you want to have sex. It should be swallowed whole with at least one full glass of water, with or without food.

Premature ejaculation cream

Emla cream is a topical local anaesthetic or numbing cream which is applied directly to the penis to numb the area, reduce sensitivity, and lengthen the time it takes to ejaculate. It should be applied 20 to 30 minutes before you intend to have sex.

Emla cream is available without a prescription, so you can buy it over the counter. It is also available to buy from Prescription Doctor following a short online consultation.

Premature ejaculation spray

Similar to Emla cream, Stud 100 spray is a mild anaesthetic which numbs the genitals, temporarily making them less sensitive and preventing premature ejaculation.

It contains the active ingredient lidocaine, a topical anaesthetic, which works by stopping your nerves from sending signals to the brain, enabling you to last longer in bed. Stud 100 spray is also available without a prescription and you can buy it directly from Prescription Doctor following a short online consultation.

Can I prevent premature ejaculation?

Depending on the cause of your premature ejaculation there may be things you can do to improve or prevent it from happening, such as:

• Recognising if you are stressed or depressed and using techniques to help improve your mood such as mindfulness, exercise, breathing techniques, and yoga
• Using a thick condom to decrease sensation during sex
• Masturbating one to two hours before sex
• Having sex with your partner on top so they can pull away when you are close to ejaculating

Frequently asked questions about premature ejaculation.

How many men experience premature ejaculation?

20% to 30% of all men experience premature ejaculation at some time in life.

How can I last longer in bed?

Make changes to your lifestyle, use prescription drugs and other products that reduce sensitivity, practice squeeze or start-stop techniques, consider therapy, and contact Prescription Doctor for a prescription for Priligy.

What PE treatment should I choose?

The PE treatment you choose depends largely on the cause of your premature ejaculation and your personal preferences. Some men do not feel comfortable engaging in therapy, for example, while others prefer using medications to treat early climax.

Authored By

Adil Bhaloda

Content Administrator

Adil provides governance for the online services, overseeing prescription dispensation in line with UK pharmacy standards.

Published on: 18/01/2017

Reviewed By

Mohamed Imran Lakhi

MPharm - Lead Pharmacist

This content has been checked for quality and accuracy by Imran Lakhi is the superintendent pharmacist and founder at Prescription Doctor. He has been at the core of our team.

Reviewed on: 27/04/2023