Premature Ejaculation: How Quick is Too Quick

Everyone loves a quickie. After all, we are a society obsessed with instant gratification. Like ordering Dominos, we expect anything and everything in 30 minutes or less. The same can occasionally apply to sex. Sometimes all you need is a quickie. But is there such a thing as too fast? In other words, how quick is too quick?

For my friends who may still have PTSD from the fear of being picked last for dodgeball, breathe; this article has nothing to do with physical education. The acronym is shared with another very common sexual dysfunction: premature ejaculation. In fact, it is the most common sexual dysfunction among men. The prevalence of premature ejaculation has been reported to be as high as 30% and can occur at any age.

Premature ejaculation is technically finishing within one minute of penetration. An underwhelming definition; I'm sure Merriam and Webster are rolling in their graves somewhere, but it's the only one we've got. 

Perhaps singing it like a makeup commercial jingle will lighten the mood. There are two primary types of premature ejacualation - acquired or congenital. Translation: you're either born with it (congenital), or it occurs at some point later in your life (acquired). Both types are equally problematic and can affect someone's sexual self-esteem.

An early introduction to premature ejaculation in the media was with everyone's favorite narcissist, Carrie Bradshaw. In the early seasons of this cult classic, Carrie is dating a fellow writer who specializes in writing "short stories," if you catch our drift. I'm sure Carrie also couldn't help but wonder if there is such a thing as too quick. I'm sure we would all prefer our partners to get pen to paper, at least before the ink explodes. In Carrie's instance, her short story author could barely write a haiku. Ultimately, the demise of their relationship wasn't due to premature ejaculation but rather his lack of willingness to talk about it. Granted, this was the late 90s/early 2000s, but it is still difficult to discuss despite being the most prevalent sex-related issue.

So, is there a cure for premature erection? Not even Little Mix or Lady Gaga has the cure. Currently, there are no FDA-approved treatments for premature ejaculation despite its prevalence, but there are treatments that a doctor can prescribe. Some people take SSRIs or antidepressants to combat premature ejaculation. It's like a Prozac for your penis! A common side effect of SSRIs is delayed ejaculation, which, in this case, is just what’s needed.

Topical anesthetic spray or condoms can help to decrease the sensitivity of the penis physically. While this is helpful with premature ejaculation, patients have found the method to affect their sexual experience in other ways. 

There are also non-medical methods to improve premature ejaculation. For example, pelvic floor therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, and sex therapy can all help reduce premature ejaculation episodes.

If you are a bit bashful about busting a nut too early, bring it up to your healthcare professional. I assure you, you are not alone, and we have heard it all before!