Introduction:
Delayed ejaculation is a male orgasmic disorder in which an individual takes a long time or is unable to achieve ejaculation or orgasm even with adequate sexual desire. It is also called delayed orgasm. The term in which an individual is unable to ejaculate is called an ejaculation, and when the person is unable to reach a climax or orgasm, it is called anorgasmia. In delayed ejaculation, there is prolonged ejaculation or absent ejaculation. This may cause distress or frustration for individuals and their partners. This can be due to medical, lifestyle, and psychological factors making diagnosis and treatment difficult. The condition can be temporary or permanent.
The other names of delayed ejaculation include impaired ejaculation, inadequate ejaculation, and diminished ejaculation. Understanding the causes, mechanisms, and interventions for delayed ejaculation is essential for addressing the challenging aspect of sexual health and promoting the overall well-being of affected individuals. The article discusses delayed ejaculation, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
What Are the Causes of Delayed Ejaculation?
The causes of delayed ejaculation are as follows:
Physical Causes: Delayed ejaculation can be due to any physical factor, such as medications or nerve damage. The physical causes of delayed ejaculation include,
Medications: Certain medications, such as antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, diuretics, anti-seizure medications, and blood pressure medications, may result in delayed ejaculation. These may affect neurotransmitter levels and interfere with the ejaculatory reflex.
Nerve Damage: Pelvic nerve damage results in controlling orgasm. This can lead to delayed ejaculation. Several neurological conditions, such as stroke (an issue with blood flow to the brain that is similar to heart attack) and multiple sclerosis (central nervous system disease), can cause nerve damage. A spinal cord injury can result in delayed ejaculation.
Pelvis Surgery: Certain pelvis surgeries, such as the removal of the prostate gland, can result in delayed ejaculation.
Alcohol Consumption: Excessive and frequent alcohol consumption can cause delayed ejaculation.
Hormone Conditions: Several conditions, such as underactive thyroid and low testosterone, affect sexual performance, ejaculation, and orgasm.
Psychological Causes: Psychological factors can lead to delayed ejaculation. The factors include anxiety and depression.
Mental Health Conditions: Several mental health conditions may lead to low sexual desire and delayed ejaculations, such as depression and anxiety.
Fear of Intimacy: Fear of intimacy concerns about making a woman pregnant may affect the ability to ejaculate and lead to delayed ejaculation.
Relationship Issues: The person may take a long time to ejaculate due to a lack of sexual attraction with the partner or if the person feels unhappy with the partner.
A Feeling of Guilt Due to Cultural Conviction: An individual with a cultural background that makes an inappropriate view of sex may affect the ability to orgasm or ejaculate.
Traumatic Events: The trauma related to sex, such as negative experiences about sex, may lead to delayed ejaculation.
Masturbation: If an individual frequently watches porn or does masturbation could contribute to sexual dysfunction.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Delayed Ejaculation?
The signs and symptoms of delayed ejaculation are as follows:
Take More Time to Ejaculate: During sexual intercourse with a partner or masturbation, an individual may take more time to ejaculate, such as more than 30 minutes. It involves a prolonged time to reach ejaculation compared to what is considered normal for the individual or expected during sexual activity.
Find it Difficult to Ejaculate: An individual with delayed ejaculation may experience consistent difficulty or inability to ejaculate even with prolonged sexual activity.
Incomplete Ejaculation: Some individuals may experience incomplete ejaculation, in which a small amount of semen is ejaculated.
Ejaculate Only During Masturbation: Some individuals with delayed ejaculation find it difficult to orgasm and ejaculate during sexual intercourse with their partner and ejaculate normally during masturbation.
Need to Take a Break From Sex: Some individuals feel tired and physically irritated during sex, and they might lose erection during sex.
Feel Distressed or Frustration: Persistent difficulty in achieving ejaculation can lead to frustration, anxiety, and distress for the individuals and their partners. Feelings of guilt, inadequacy, and embarrassment may affect sexual satisfaction. This may cause relationship issues.
How Is Delayed Ejaculation Diagnosed?
Diagnosing delayed ejaculation involves a comprehensive assessment by a healthcare provider, which may include the following steps:
Medical History: The healthcare provider may take a thorough medical history and ask questions about sexual function, relationship status, past sexual experiences, and underlying medical conditions that may contribute to delayed ejaculation.
Physical Examination: The physical examination may be performed to check for any signs of underlying medical conditions, such as hormonal and neurological abnormalities, which may contribute to delayed ejaculation.
Psychological Evaluation: The healthcare provider may conduct psychological assessments to explore psychological factors that may contribute to delayed ejaculation, such as depression and anxiety.
Laboratory Tests: The doctor may perform laboratory tests to assess hormone levels, thyroid function, and other underlying medical conditions that could contribute to delayed ejaculation.
How Is Delayed Ejaculation Managed?
Several treatment options to manage delayed ejaculation are available, involving medical, psychological, and lifestyle interventions. The treatment options that may be considered are as follows:
Addressing Underlying Medical Conditions: Treating underlying medical conditions, such as hormonal imbalances, neurological disorders, and prostate problems, may help improve ejaculatory function. The treatment may involve medications, hormone therapy, and medical interventions.
Medications: The healthcare provider and urologists may recommend some medications to manage delayed ejaculation. The medications that are used to manage delayed ejaculation are as follows:
Amantadine (a drug used to manage Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disorder).
Testosterone (hormone).
Buspirone (anti-anxiety drug).
Oxytocin (a hormone used to strengthen muscle contractions during childbirth).
Cyproheptadine (antihistamine drug).
Cabergoline (promotes dopamine levels in the brain).
Psychotherapy: Psychological counseling, sex therapy, or couples therapy may help address underlying psychological factors contributing to delayed ejaculation, such as depression and anxiety. Psychotherapy provides education, support, and techniques to improve sexual functioning and intimacy.
Exercises: Some exercises, such as exposure to pleasurable sensations, intimate touch with the partner, and without the pressure to reach orgasm, can help reduce anxiety, increase relaxation, and enhance sexual arousal and pleasure.
Lifestyle Changes: Healthy lifestyle changes, such as reducing alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress, can improve overall sexual health and function. People should communicate openly with their partners about sex-related worries. This will help make sex more relaxing and pleasurable.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, delayed ejaculation is a sexual dysfunction that has physical, psychological, and relational impacts. Addressing underlying psychological factors, implementing behavioral techniques, and open communication with the partner may help in improving sexual function and satisfaction. With proper evaluation, treatment, and support, the affected individual can achieve greater sexual health and overall well-being.
