Treatment
Common treatment options for premature ejaculation include behavioral techniques, medication, and counseling. It can take time to find the right treatment or combination of treatments for you. Behavioral therapy in combination with pharmacotherapy may be most effective.
Behavioral Techniques
In some cases, treatment for premature ejaculation involves simple steps. These may include masturbating an hour or two before sex or focusing on other types of sex play to reduce pressure during sex. Pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegel exercises, can also help strengthen these muscles to delay ejaculation.
Compression Pause Technique
This technique involves squeezing the end of the penis to delay ejaculation. It can be repeated as many times as necessary to penetrate your partner without ejaculating. If this technique causes pain or discomfort, you can try the stop-start technique, which involves stopping sexual stimulation just before ejaculation and waiting until the arousal level goes down before starting again.
Condoms and Medication
Condoms can make the penis less sensitive, which can help delay ejaculation. Specially designed "peak control" condoms with an anesthetic can also be used to delay ejaculation. Local anesthetics, such as creams, gels, and sprays, can also be applied to the penis to reduce sensation and help delay ejaculation. Some medications used to treat erectile dysfunction, such as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, can also help treat premature ejaculation.
Counseling
Counseling can be helpful in reducing performance anxiety and stress related to premature ejaculation. Relationship counseling or sex therapy may also be beneficial for both partners.
Potential Future Treatments
Research is ongoing for medications like modafinil and silodosin to treat premature ejaculation. OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) injections into the muscles that help with ejaculation are also being studied.
Advice
With premature ejaculation, you may feel like you are losing some of the intimacy you shared with your partner. You may feel angry, embarrassed, and annoyed, and turn your back on your partner. Your partner may also be upset about the change in sexual intimacy. Premature ejaculation can make a partner feel less connected or hurt. Talking about the problem is an important step. Relationship counseling or sex therapy may also be helpful.