Premature ejaculation: Its not in the mind

Premature ejaculation is a highly misunderstood condition, with most people believing that it is due to psychological factors.

In the past, premature ejaculation was considered to be due to too much masturbation, too little sex or psychological issues including hidden hostility towards women, passive aggressiveness, or an unresolved Oedipal conflict.

These theories, which placed blame on the sufferer, contribute to shame, anxiety and other psychological problems. Treatments based on this may also cause the condition to worsen as anxiety contributes to the maintenance of the condition.

New evidence however links premature ejaculation to a variety of different physiological mechanisms including inherited chemical imbalances in the brain, nerve conduction problems and elevated penile sensitivity. For men, particularly those with lifelong premature ejaculation, the condition may be genetic.

For men who develop premature ejaculation later in life, medical conditions including diabetes, erectile dysfunction, prostatitis or an overactive thyroid may also be factors.

In hoping to enhance the understanding of premature ejaculation, the Keogh Institute is currently running a study for men with premature ejaculation. We also offer treatment options at our men’s clinic. For more information, call 9346 2008 or email lee@kimr.org.