Premature ejaculation (PE) is a sexual dysfunction that affects between 10 and 20% of men. This dysfunction consists of a lack of control of the ejaculatory reflex, i.e., when faced with sexual arousal, the male is unable to contain the triggering of orgasm and therefore ejaculates without being able to block or hold it back.
Premature ejaculation: causes
The causes of this dysfunction may be:
- Of an organic nature, this being the first to be analysed. Consumption of certain drugs, neurological alterations, vascular alterations, degenerative disorders, infections of the male reproductive system, etc.
- Psychogenic. Presence of excessive anxiety, pressure, relationship problems, depressive disorders, type of sexual education, etc.
Is it a serious problem?
The severity of premature ejaculation varies according to the moment at which ejaculation occurs, as there are men who ejaculate even before entering the vagina, men who ejaculate on first entry, and men who ejaculate shortly after the male pelvic movement of penetration has begun.
Premature ejaculation and infertility
If we ask ourselves what premature ejaculation has to do with infertility, the answer is clear: If semen is deposited in the woman's vagina only occasionally, the consequence of this dysfunction will be that it is considerably reducing the chances of getting pregnant. If the cause of premature ejaculation is that the semen can never be deposited correctly in the woman's vagina, the couple will not be able to achieve a pregnancy.
How to deal with it?
Premature ejaculation can cause a lot of frustration both, in the person who suffers it and in the couple. Therefore, it could be the cause of high levels of dissatisfaction. If it is also related to the non-achievement of pregnancy: anxiety, irascibility and guilt can be present, interfering with the emotional situation of both partners. Its treatment can have a pharmacological approach, as well as cognitive-behavioural modification, or both if required. Both the Andrology and Psychology Departments at Barcelona IVF are working together to solve this type of problem in order to reduce its incidence in the infertility of the person or couple suffering from it.
