Is premature ejaculation permanent or can it be cured?

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a condition in which a man is unable to sustain sex for longer than 2 minutes without ejaculating. 

PE tends to be a condition that comes and goes, and is very common – one British study found that almost 12% of men aged between 16 and 44 reported premature ejaculation within the last year.

Unfortunately, like many other types of sexual dysfunction, stigma still surrounds PE and many men are reluctant to speak to a doctor about it. The good news is that – as previously stated – PE is not a condition that tends to be permanent. And for those who are suffering from PE on a longer-term basis, there are some simple medical treatments that can help to combat the problem.

Causes of premature ejaculation

To understand PE and how to deal with it, it’s important to be aware of its causes. The first thing to know is that there are two main types of premature ejaculation: lifelong or acquired.

Lifelong PE is a problem from the time that you become sexually active and is more likely to be permanent. Acquired PE happens later in life and is more likely to be temporary.

There are many different things that can cause premature ejaculation, and often multiple factors will combine to result in the condition. These factors tend to fall into the categories of psychological, physical and lifestyle, and can be subject to change.

Psychological factors

Psychological trauma surrounding sexual activity is thought to be a leading cause of lifelong PE, as is an upbringing that depicts sex as wrong or illicit. Teenage boys who ‘condition’ themselves to ejaculate quickly when masturbating may also find it hard to break this habit as they grow older.

In later life, depression, stress and anxiety can all contribute to premature ejaculation. Problems in a sexual relationship and the mounting anxiety that can surround sexual dysfunction are also leading causes of PE.

Physical factors

A definite link between genetics and premature ejaculation has not yet been proven. However, it is thought that men who have a father, brother, or son with PE are more likely to suffer the condition themselves. Physical causes include heightened sensitivity in the nerves of the penis, and conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, prostate disease, high blood pressure, and an under or overactive thyroid.

Lifestyle factors

Using recreational drugs and drinking too much alcohol are the most common lifestyle choices which lead to PE – however both these things can also cause erectile dysfunction and delayed ejaculation as well.