FACTS

What is ejaculation?

Ejaculation is the release of semen from the penis following sexual climax. When a man is sexually stimulated, the brain sends signals to the genital area through nerves in the spinal cord to contract the pelvic muscles.

At the start of this process, waves of muscle contractions transport the sperm, with a small amount of fluid, from the testes through to the vas deferens. The seminal vesicles and prostate contribute extra fluid to protect the sperm. This mixture of fluid and sperm travels along the urethra to the tip of the penis where it is released (ejaculated) at the time of sexual climax (orgasm).

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What is premature ejaculation?

Premature ejaculation happens when a man is unable to control the timing of ejaculation, and ejaculates before he and/or his partner feels ready for this to happen.

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How soon is too soon when a man prematurely ejaculates?

For a heterosexual man, a commonly used definition of premature ejaculation is ejaculating before or within about one minute of his penis entering the woman’s vagina. However, there is no fixed time for ‘too soon.’ Premature ejaculation relates to the loss of control over ejaculation, and the distress it can cause to one or both partners, not the actual time it takes a man to ejaculate.

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How common is premature ejaculation?

Premature ejaculation is the most common male sexual problem and affects men of all ages. Premature ejaculation is more common in younger men, as they are often less sexually experienced or secure with the situation in which they are having sex. However, in some cases with time and practice premature ejaculation can happen less often.

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Are there different types of premature ejaculation?

There are two different types of premature ejaculation:

• primary (lifelong), or
• secondary (acquired)

Lifelong premature ejaculation is when a man has not had control of ejaculation from the time of his first sexual experience. If left untreated, the premature ejaculation will continue for the rest of his life.

Acquired premature ejaculation is usually when there has been a period of normal functioning before the premature ejaculation began. Acquired premature ejaculation often happens as a result of psychological (relationship) issues or due to other erectile problems.

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