As a man, you've likely heard of premature ejaculation, a sexual health condition where a man ejaculates before the commencement of sexual activity. However, there's another condition known as delayed ejaculation, where a man takes an extended period to reach sexual climax and ejaculate during sex. This condition is also referred to as impaired ejaculation. Read on to learn more about it.
Whether you are married, in a serious long-term relationship, or just in a casual relationship, engaging in sexual activity is essential to keeping the spark alive. Sex is a cornerstone of any relationship, so avoiding or neglecting it can be a significant mistake. Nevertheless, indulging in sex can be challenging if you are dealing with delayed ejaculation, a condition that affects approximately 1% to 4% of the male population.
Delayed ejaculation is a sexual health condition that occurs in men when it takes a prolonged period of sexual stimulation for them to ejaculate. In fact, some men may be unable to ejaculate at all during sexual activity. This condition is known to be a common sexual health problem. While some men experience it occasionally, for others, it is a lifelong sexual health issue.
Although delayed ejaculation does not pose any medical risks, it can cause a great deal of stress and create problems in your sexual life and relationship. Let's delve deeper into this issue.
Causes of Delayed Ejaculation
Delayed ejaculation can stem from various causes, including psychological concerns, chronic health conditions, and reactions to medications. Psychological factors can include traumatic experiences, cultural or religious taboos that associate sex with negativity, as well as anxiety and depression, which can diminish sexual desire and lead to delayed ejaculation. Relationship stress, poor communication, and anger can exacerbate the issue. Discrepancies between sexual realities and sexual fantasies can also contribute to delayed ejaculation, where men can ejaculate during masturbation but not during sexual activity.
Furthermore, certain chemicals in medications, such as antidepressants like fluoxetine (Prozac), antipsychotics like thioridazine (Mellaril), medications for high blood pressure like propranolol (Inderal), diuretics, and alcohol, can affect the nerves involved in ejaculation. Other potential causes of delayed ejaculation include:
Nerve damage in the spine or pelvis
Nerve damage resulting from certain prostate surgeries
Heart disease affecting blood pressure in the pelvic region
Infections, especially prostate or urinary infections
Neuropathy or stroke
Low thyroid hormone levels
Low testosterone levels
Birth defects that impair the ejaculation process
Symptoms of Delayed Ejaculation
The symptoms of delayed ejaculation are often self-evident. In some cases, you may feel on the brink of climax but be unable to reach ejaculation. At other times, there may be an erection but no sense of an impending orgasm. Other symptoms may include:
The ability to ejaculate during intercourse, but only under specific controlled conditions
Inability to ejaculate during intercourse but success with oral sex or masturbation
Ejaculation only when alone
Inability to ejaculate
Conclusion
Delayed ejaculation can be a frustrating condition for both you and your partner, straining your sexual life and relationship. However, to overcome it, you and your partner must work together as a team, avoiding blame and fostering open and honest communication. Commitment towards each other is essential to coping with delayed ejaculation successfully.
Written by: Deepti Dogra
Edited by: Aniket Joshi