Delayed Ejaculation: Treatment Options & Preparing for an Appointment

You may have heard a lot of premature ejaculation, but have you heard of delayed ejaculation?

Delayed ejaculation can be defined as a condition where the person takes a lot of time to reach the climax and release semen while having sex.

Some men are not able to ejaculate at all in a severe condition of delayed ejaculation. The study shows that the men who have this disorder only find themselves having an orgasm 20% of the time. 

Moreover, the study also reveals that this disorder is not commonly talked about by men, and the men themselves are to be blamed for their condition.

Not being able to ejaculate can lead to many serious problems in your sexual life. It will ruin your mental health, as well. It’s necessary to be informed about delayed ejaculation.

In this article, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment methods for delayed ejaculation. 

How Common Is Delayed Ejaculation?

Delayed ejaculation is not a widespread issue. It has a low prevalence rate of 1% to 4% of the global male population. But, the prevalence has a lot to do with age. 

Researchers analyzed 1,688 men to study the frequency of ejaculatory disorders. That includes troubles ejaculating and poor semen levels. 

Based on the results, the rate of ejaculation dysfunctions went up to 3% in men between the ages of 50 and 54. However, it increased by 35% among 70 to 78-year-olds. It’s not surprising that ejaculatory functions completely diminished as the men got older. 

Even though the condition is relatively rare among the younger population, it is still crucial that people understand the causes and recognize the issue. 

What are the causes of delayed ejaculation?

There are many causes of delayed ejaculation. It can be caused by substance abuse, physical health concerns, mental health concerns, or the combination of physical and mental health concerns. Some of the major causes of delayed ejaculation are:

Physical Causes

The physical causes of delayed ejaculation are as below:

• Birth defects having a negative impact on the male reproductive organ.
  
  
• Certain types of infections, like a urinary tract infection
  
  
• Retrograde ejaculation
  
  
• Prostate surgery
  
  
• Neurological diseases

Mental Causes

Some of the mental causes that lead to delayed ejaculation are:

• Anxiety, Depression, or other mental health conditions.
  
  
• Poor body image
  
  
• Relationship problems
  
  
• Cultural or religious taboos

Medications and substances

Some of the medications and substances that may lead to delayed ejaculation are:

• Antidepressant 
  
  
• Diuretics
  
  
• Anti-seizure medicines
  
  
• Alcohol
  
  
• High blood pressure medications

What are the symptoms of delayed ejaculation?

Having the capacity to last long in the bed with your partner is different from suffering from delayed ejaculation. It’s not very difficult to know whether a person is suffering from delayed ejaculation or not.

Usually, a person suffering from delayed ejaculation takes 30 minutes or more to reach a climax. Delayed ejaculation can be divided into two categories:

1. Lifelong vs. acquired: For delayed ejaculation, the conditions starts after the person reaches the maturity age. On the other hand, regarding acquired delayed ejaculation, It starts suddenly after normal sexual functioning. 
   
   
2. Generalized vs. Situational: If a person’s problem is the same regardless of a situation, it’s a generalized delayed ejaculation. While If the person only suffers from delayed ejaculation in a certain situation, it’s a situational problem. 

How to Diagnose the Condition?

For patients to be diagnosed with the condition, they need to have a 70% to 100% frequency of absence of ejaculation, particularly in the last six months of having intercourse. That’s why it is normal for you to feel distressed if you are suffering from delayed ejaculation. 

A doctor can find the cause and treat the issue. But, if you are dealing with a lifelong problem, you will need a more rigorous treatment.

The diagnosis starts with a typical physical exam. The doctor will ask about your medical history or recent changes in your overall health. 

You will then do a:                                                                              

• Blood test – Providing a blood sample is a key to managing your health state. Not only will it help diagnose delayed ejaculation, but it also checks for any symptoms of heart illness, metabolic condition, testosterone levels, or other health issues. 
  
  
• Urinalysis (urine test) – Testing the urine can help identify infections, bacteria, or symptoms of diabetes. These could all influence your condition. 
  
  
• Physical test – To get a clear picture of your current health state, the doctor must examine the testicles and penis. They will check if you are feeling any painful sensations to light touch. Increased sensitivity could be an indicator of ejaculation problems. 

The information you provide will help pinpoint the exact cause of the problem and the ideal options for treatment. However, in many cases, you would need to take additional testing and contact a specialist. 

To get the male genitalia treated, contact a urologist. If you are dealing with hormonal issues, book an appointment with a local endocrinologist. But, if the condition is the cause of a mental health issue, a psychiatrist will provide you with the necessary treatment. 

How to Prepare For an Appointment? 

If you have no clue what to expect for your doctor’s visit, here are a couple of tips that can help. 

First, you need to make the necessary preparations. Start by writing down all the signs or symptoms you’ve experienced in the last couple of months, including those that could have nothing to do with the condition. 

There are plenty of things on the surface that might seem all right. But, after a closer inspection, the doctor can see them as triggers-for instance, a recent painful breakup, constant stress at work, poor sleep, etc. 

Another thing to point out is all the factors that might have affected your health. Diseases, conditions, or drugs you’ve taken could have a direct influence on your ejaculation. Do not forget to mention all the herbal medicine you’ve been taking. Supplements, vitamins, or home remedies play a key role in your future treatment. 

It’s a good idea to get your partner to tag along. They could provide the specialist with some valuable information you would otherwise miss. Lastly, list any questions or misunderstandings you want the specialist to clear up. 

Consult them about the underlying causes, tests, or temporary treatment options. They will make sure you receive proper management strategies to get your condition under control. One of the most common mistakes men make when going to the doctor is not being open.

They are either shy or don’t want to disclose too many details about their sex life. However, you must remain honest and open as much as possible. Otherwise, you risk not getting a proper diagnosis. So, answer any questions the doctor might have for you, regardless of how intimate they might be.

Treatment methods to overcome delayed ejaculation

The treatment will vary depending on what’s causing the issue. If, for example, some of the medicines you are taking are interacting with the central nervous system and causing difficulty ejaculating, you will need to reduce the dose. 

A doctor may also suggest you swap the medicine. Although there aren’t any statistically supported treatments meant for delayed ejaculation, some products do have a positive impact. 

However, if the health issue results from psychological trauma, you will need to take a completely different approach. That’s why it is essential to talk to a doctor and avoid taking matters into your own hands. Here is how the treatment looks like if you’ve been diagnosed with the condition. 

Medications

If some medicines are causing the problem, the doctor will suggest you decrease that specific medicine dose. If it does not work, then the doctor may ask you to switch it.

Sometimes it may fix the problem. There are no specific drugs to treat this problem. Some of the common medications used to treat this condition are Amantadine (Parkinson’s), Buspirone (anti-anxiety), and Cyproheptadine (allergy). 

According to research, medicine to delay ejaculation can be an effective strategy for managing the condition, particularly in severe cases of delayed ejaculation. In many patients, regardless of their psychosocial or behavioral causes, sometimes the best approach is appropriate medication treatment. 

The ideal treatment is patient-centered. In other words, only a doctor can determine which medicine you can use, including whether or not you need additional treatment. 

Psychological Counseling

In some patients, delayed ejaculation is a consistent problem. As a result, they need to learn how to cope with the issue. The condition is known for causing psychological distress for both you and your loved one. If the problem happens only once, don’t dwell on it too much. 

But, as a reoccurring issue, it can happen with every sexual encounter you have. The primary way of managing it is to deal with stress before sexual activity. If you get rid of the stressors, you may be able to solve the problem, at least temporarily. 

In case of serious psychological issues, then psychological counseling can help you overcome this problem. The counselor will address the issues, such as anxiety, depression, and others, causing this problem. Sometimes the person should take the help of a mental health counselor that has expertise in addressing sexual issues. These therapies can help a lot to overcome the problem of delayed ejaculation. 

Another thing you can try is to be open with that partner. In some cases, you got to talk with your partner about your problem. Both of you can work together to address this issue to overcome it. That way, you can reduce the pressure and stress before sex. 

Sex Therapy

Sex therapy is a mix of psychotherapy and counseling. It is based on creating structural changes to your sex life. The goal is to help patients enjoy intercourse and ejaculate faster. This form of therapy can be especially useful if you are experiencing difficulty ejaculating with your partner.

While you are in therapy, you will have the chance to talk about any psychological or emotional triggers that might have affected your sexuality. 

You will be in a private environment where you can communicate openly. The therapist will suggest you try a couple of tactics to get the condition under control. Depending on what you are dealing with, they can suggest:

• Experimenting with sex toys during intercourse
  
  
• Watching erotic content together with your partner to stimulate more intense feelings
  
  
• Implementing lubrication to create a pleasurable physical contact
  
  
• Adding more aids to the bedroom, particularly vibrators

This is a form of therapy you can try to attend by yourself or with a partner. The choice is yours.

Meditation

Researchers believe meditation can help with delayed ejaculation. It promotes effective relaxation and interferes with the central nervous system. It reduces stress, allows people to enjoy sex, and boost their sexual function. 

But, most importantly, it teaches them to focus better and pay more attention to the sexual experience, rather than any health problems they might be dealing with. Meditation basically provides people with a fresh start. It encourages mindfulness and positive thoughts. This is something that could be helpful for mild forms of delayed ejaculation.

Based on one case report, a married couple reported experiencing psychogenic retarded ejaculation. Both patients couldn’t ejaculate during intercourse. By implementing meditation for 10 to 12 months, they managed to ejaculate normally. Although the research is limited, meditation seems to be a practical coping strategy for this particular health issue.

Delayed ejaculation exercise (at home)

1. Senate focus exercises: Sensate focus exercises is a technique used to improve intimacy and remap the body for pleasure. This could involve rubbing or touching your partners head, neck or ears. You can start with non-genital touching, exploring various areas of the body, and gradually progress to genital stimulation.
2. Masturbation techniques: Another common exercise that can be explored at home is experimenting with different masturbation techniques. This can increase awareness of your body’s responses and enhance sexual pleasure.
3. Pelvic floor exercises: Pelvic floor exercises are a popular exercise used to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles can improve sexual function. To exercise them, contract and relax the muscles you use to control urination. Repeat this several times in a row, multiple times a day.
4. Kegel exercises: Kegel exercises primarily target the pelvic floor muscles and are used by men to help improve urinary control and incontinence. They can help improve the strength and control of these muscles, potentially leading to better sexual function. To perform Kegel exercises, contract the muscles you would use to stop the flow of urine, hold for a few seconds, and then release. You can repeat these several times a day.

Home remedies for delayed ejaculation

1. Lower stress: Feeling stressed or anxious can have a big impact on your sex life. When you encounter stress, your body ignites a  fight or flight response. This response also triggers the release of hormones, such as cortisol and epinephrine, which in high levels can cause decreased sex drive. Enjoying activities like yoga, meditation and exercising can help reduce your stress levels and improve your sex drive. 
2. Healthy lifestyle habits: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can positively impact your sexual function. Aim to enjoy  regular exercise, consume a healthy, balanced diet, and get 8 hours of sleep a night. These habits can promote overall well-being and may indirectly improve sexual function.
3. Communication: Although it can be intimidating to talk about delayed ejaculation or other intimacy issues, it is essential that you communicate with your partner. This can help to improve intimacy with one another and can play an important role in treatment. 
4. Substance abuse: Excessive alcohol consumption and drug use can affect sexual function. You should limit or avoid alcohol and illicit drugs, as they can contribute to sexual difficulties, including delayed ejaculation.

Are There Any Complications If Left Untreated?

Many men feel anxious to get their reproductive organs treated. But, if you don’t get the therapy you need, you will only make things worse.

Delayed ejaculation is known for causing poor self-esteem. In the long-term, however, it can have serious repercussions on your mental health.

Men who don’t receive treatment tend to feel inadequate and submerge themselves in negative emotions. Some are prone to experiencing other complications, such as:

• Poor libido
  
  
• Anxiety before and after intercourse
  
  
• Regular stress
  
  
• Infertility
  
  
• Low sexual pleasure

There is a high possibility that the condition will take a toll on your relationship. It can result in numerous conflicts.

Conclusion

Any sort of male sexual dysfunction should be taken seriously. If you’re suffering from the problem of delayed ejaculation, then you should consult your doctor as soon as possible. Don’t hesitate to discuss your problem. They will help you to overcome your problem to a greater extent. 

Delayed ejaculation is a very serious problem, just like many other types of sexual disorders. If you overcome your ejaculatory disorder you will be able to experience a drastic improvement in your sex and marital life.