Let's talk about Premature Ejaculation vs Erectile Dysfunction

Premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction are two phrases no one with a penis ever wants to hear, especially in today's high-performance society where self-worth is sometimes determined by how long a man spends in the sheets. Every guy out there is doing whatever they can to be at the top of their game, no one wants to be labeled the ‘’one minute man’’. But unfortunately, premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction are still a problem. 

Ejaculation occurs when a man releases semen from the body through the penis during an orgasm. Premature ejaculation which also termed (PE) is when a man ejaculates sooner than he wants to despite all his efforts. Most men experience this at some point in their lives and it’s not a cause for concern unless it starts affecting your sex life or your self-esteem.  When it occurs over and over again then there’s a problem, studies reveal that in the U.S 1 in 3 men between the ages of 18 - 59 suffer from premature ejaculation.

The condition often goes untreated because of the shame and taboo surrounding it, PE can very well be treated so if you’re suffering from it you’re not doomed or alone. With the right diagnosis and treatment, your down and dirty time will last longer, PE is often caused by mental and emotional factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, sexual trauma, shame/guilt about sex and low self-esteem on one hand and physical factors like hormonal imbalances, genetics, inflammation and erectile dysfunction on the other hand. 

When a man is unable to get or keep an erection firm enough to have sex or to ejaculate, he’s suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED). This is what is generally considered impotence. Though erectile dysfunction is usually associated with aging it can occur at any age and it can be treated. ED is sometimes caused by the same psychological problems like PE (stress, anxiety, trauma, depression, etc) but most often it is a symptom of an underlying condition.

Common conditions that may lead to erectile dysfunction are obesity, nerve damage, High blood pressure, Sleep disorders, high cholesterol, Alcoholism, and smoking. Like PE, ED can be treated with psychological and behavioral therapy as well as drugs. 

Premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction are two separate conditions caused by completely different things, the can occasionally occur together and sometimes premature ejaculation can be a sign of erectile dysfunction. 

While erectile dysfunction is most common with older men who have conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, premature ejaculation affects men of all ages, it is common even with teenagers who are at the peak of their sexuality and in excellent health. 

Premature ejaculation (PE) is typically associated with psychological causes like insecurity, anxiety, stress, depression, etc. Erectile dysfunction (ED) on the other hand is associated with physical health problems. 

Considering both disorders are of different origin, so too is the diagnosis process, both are diagnosed by looking at the symptoms which are completely different. The symptoms of premature ejaculation are hypersensitivity of the penis, family history of PE, emotional problems, excessive ejaculatory reflex, etc. And the symptoms of ED are hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, stroke, spinal cord injury, and Parkinson's disease.

Despite the fact that premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction are the two most common sexual disorders affecting men today, identifying its presence is still very difficult. This is because it is still regarded by many as a thing of shame and a sign of weakness, making it difficult for when to open up about it to their doctors. Patients are often inclined to shy away from discussions on impotence. However, those who actually get diagnosed stand a better chance of recovery, here’s how you can find out if you have either one of these disorders.

To find out if you have erectile dysfunction, doctors look for signs of vascular, neurologic, and hormonal diseases. This is because about 80% of patients with ED also have underlying conditions related to these diseases. Doctors also look at the patient's medical history for genetics and signs of penile surgery. This is the best way to know if you’re suffering from erectile dysfunction.

Premature ejaculation is diagnosed by doing a complete assessment of sexual function to differentiate ED from PE. The ejaculatory latency time is measured to capture premature ejaculation. A questionnaire is used to get a feel of the patient's situation and he is asked questions such as:
 

• How often does PE happen?

• For how long has it been going on?

• Does it happen with only one partner or with everyone?

• What types of sexual activity do you indulge in ( masturbation, intercourse)?

• Does it handicap your sex life/ relationship?

Once a diagnosis has been made, the next step is to treat it. The manner in which it is handled depends solely on the cause and severity of the disorder, it could be treated using therapy for psychotic cases, exercises, and medication for physical cases. Here are some of the treatments available today for Premature Ejaculation and Erectile Dysfunction.    

Being relaxed before and during sex will help slow down erection and ejaculation. As you lower your anxiety levels through exercise, meditation, and focusing on pleasurable sensations, you reduce your chances of ejaculating as soon as you get in. There are lots of relaxation techniques you can use to stay focused, find out which one works for you, and stick to it.

The pelvis is made up of muscles situated between your legs from your tailbone to your pubic bone when you do pelvic exercises which consist of squeezing and relaxing these muscles, the pelvic floor is strengthened making it easier to control erections and ejaculation. A good example of a pelvic floor exercise is to contract and flex your muscles like you are holding in urine without holding your breath, do this for a few minutes every day, and it will help you maintain ejaculatory control.

This method requires your partner to stimulate your penis until the point of ejaculation and then stopping right before you cum, the exercise is repeated 3 times with you ejaculating only the fourth time. For this to be effective you need to be able to identify the exact point before you ejaculate and hold back, it is recommended you practice this at least 3 times a week until you gain control of your ejaculation.

Like with most sexual disorders the first step to recovery which is often the most difficult is talking about it. If you are in a relationship talk to your partner, you’d be surprised how good an open and honest talk can do to your relationship and sex life. If you need to talk further you can consult a therapist or a physician.

As a last resort, when all else has failed medical treatment can be sought, drugs such as Priligy (Dapoxetine) could be prescribed to delay the chemical reactions that lead to ejaculation or by increasing the levels of serotonin in your body to help double your ejaculation time. 

Numbing creams and sprays can also be used to reduce the sensitivity in the penis, about 20-30 minutes before sex the cream is rubbed on the head of the penis and washed right before intercourse to prevent it from numbing the vagina. Such creams dull the sensations in the penis and considerably delay ejaculation.

Getting an erection and going flaccid repeatedly is a very useful exercise that helps patients battling ED, this can be done with the help of your partner or by yourself until you get acquainted with stimulating and letting go of your erections. You should also learn to get comfortable with the idea that there are lots of ways to please your partner without using your penis ( just saying!). After all, statistics show that more women orgasm through external stimulation than they do from penetrative sex.

An erection ring is a round plastic device worn at the base of the penis to help maintain an erection. This device is elastic and is worn only during sex to maintain your erection, during sex this elastic constriction ring at the base of the penis applies a slight pressure that stops the penis from going flaccid before you are done with the deed at hand.

Viagra or Cialis has been the most common drug for ED since it was introduced to the US market in 1998 till date, this medication is what is known as an inhibitor, for a limited period of time it gives the patient the needed virility to roll and tumble with his partner. Other inhibitors include testosterone supplements, herbal products, and injectable phentolamine which all help with ED.

If you have a penis and are sexually active you’ll most certainly experience one or both of these conditions at some point in your life if you already haven’t. Both issues are very common and should not be a taboo or stigmatized as they are at the moment. Having Premature Ejaculation or Erectile Dysfunction does not make less of a man or reduce your self worth in any way, so do not be afraid to speak up and address the problem head-on. It could end up being nothing or something you can easily fix.