Premature Ejaculation - Causes

A number of theories have been propounded about the causes of premature ejaculation. They could be physical or psychological. It is therefore necessary to rule out the former before commencing treatment. The common physical causes are prostatitis and nervous disorders like multiple sclerosis. A detailed history and a thorough physical check up, including blood chemistry, should be done to rule out physical causes or use of drugs, before starting treatment.

PSYCHOGENIC CAUSES: Freud suggested that childhood conflict related to the Oedipus complex is responsible for premature ejaculation. The psychoanalysts postulate that, firstly, a premature ejaculator is prone to sadistic feelings towards women. Secondly, he is emotionally immature in his feelings and finds in premature ejaculation a symbolic expression of causing suffering and disappointment to women (who are for him symbolic of his mother). As these feelings are in the unconscious mind, the patient is unaware of them. The therapy consists in discovering and resolving these childhood Oedipus conflicts by psychotherapy three or four times a week over several years. However, in spite of a better insight into their problems, very few premature ejaculators improve with psychotherapy.

Marital and family therapists believe that premature ejaculation may be due to hostile interactions in the marital relationship between the couple, also termed Dyadic problems.

Excessive stimulation can result in early ejaculation. If, therefore, ways and means can be found to reduce this excessive sexual stimulation during foreplay or intercourse, the disability could be cured.