How to Stop Premature Ejaculation

Premature ejaculation (PE) is defined as ejaculation occurring within approximately 1 minute of penetration consistently, which causes distress to the man or his partner. It is the most common male sexual dysfunction but also one of the most treatable with effective options ranging from behavioral techniques like the stop start and squeeze methods to medications such as dapoxetine. According to PubMed Central, PE affects around 21% of Australian men, but still fewer than 1 in 10 ever seek help despite confidential assessment and prescription treatment now being available online through telehealth platforms like DirectMeds.

Want to know how to stop premature ejaculation? Don’t worry! In this blog, DirectMeds will provide you with everything you need to know about premature ejaculation (PE), what causes premature ejaculation, how to stop it naturally, what medications work best, its treatment options available and expert advice.

What Is Premature Ejaculation?

Premature ejaculation is an ejaculation that happens sooner than desired, persistently within approx. 1 minute of penetration causing distress to the individual or their partner. The main types of PE recognized by the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) include the following:

Premature ejaculation (PE) has a significant negative impact on men and their partners and may also prevent single men from forming new relationships and most of the men feel embarrassed to seek treatment from their physicians.

How Common Is Premature Ejaculation in Australia?

Due to premature ejaculation most of the men feel depressed but the statistics show a very different picture:

What Causes Premature Ejaculation?

In most of the cases, PE rarely has a single cause and involves a combination of psychological and physical factors.

Psychological Causes

• Performance anxiety: The fear of not meeting your partner’s sexual needs can become a cycle.
• Stress and depression: Psychological problems negatively affect your performance sexually.
• Relationship problems: Poor communication or conflicts that have not been resolved with a partner.
• Unrealistic expectations: Influenced by porn and societal views on sex.
• Early sexual conditioning: Having ejaculated very quickly in past sexual experiences may have created an expectation of continuing to do so.

Physical Causes

• Hypersensitivity of the penis nerves: Genetic hypersensitivity can make the ejaculatory reflex quicker.
• Hormonal imbalance: There is a strong link between low amounts of serotonin and premature ejaculation.
• Erectile dysfunction: Approx. 70% of men with erectile dysfunction also have premature ejaculation.
• Prostatitis or urethritis: Inflammation of the prostate or urethra can cause premature ejaculation symptoms.
• Thyroid problems: Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can contribute to ejaculatory dysfunctions.

"An average sexual intercourse lasts about 5 minutes from the time of penetration to the point of orgasm. Some men think they have a premature ejaculation issue but they actually do not have one and are ejaculating within the average range."

How to Stop Premature Ejaculation Naturally

Using behavioural techniques, many men learn how to stop premature ejaculation naturally. These methods consist of training your body to tolerate higher levels of sexual arousal without activating the ejaculatory reflex.

1. The Stop Start Technique (Semans Technique)

This technique was originally developed by Dr. James Semans and this is the most well studied behavioral method:

1. Begin having sexual intercourse until you feel you are about to ejaculate
2. Stop all stimulation for 20 to 30 seconds to allow your arousal to decrease
3. After the urge has subsided, you can begin stimulation again. Repeat 3 to 4 times before ejaculating
4. Practice often (either alone or with a partner) until you have better control of your ejaculation.

Success rate: Behavioral therapy has a successful completion rate of between 50% and 60% in the short term.

2. The Squeeze Technique

The Squeeze Technique is similar to the Stop Start method, but adds another physical step to gain control:

• Stimulate until you are almost ready to ejaculate
• Squeeze the end (the head) of your penis very firmly for 10 to 20 seconds
• Once the squeeze is released, wait for 30 seconds and resume
• Repeat this during each session to gain some control over your ejaculation.

The Squeeze Technique can be done alone during masturbation or with a partner and with consistent practice over several weeks, you can typically produce measurable improvement.

3. Pelvic Floor (Kegel) Exercises

Therapeutic Advances in Urology found that pelvic floor rehabilitation exercises showed efficacy in men with lifelong PE. Here is how to perform Kegels for PE:

• Identify your pelvic floor muscles by stopping urination mid stream
• Hold tight for 3 seconds and then let go for 3 seconds
• Perform this exercise 10 to 15 times for 3 sets daily
• Progress to holding contractions for 5 to 10 seconds as strength improves

Tip: You can expect to see results from Kegel exercises after 4 to 6 weeks of consistency.

4. Mindfulness and Deep Breathing

Anxiety is a significant factor that can lead to PE. Men who practice mindfulness strategies will improve their body awareness and therefore reduce performance-related stress through the following forms:

• Diaphragmatic Breathing: Slow, deep breaths utilize the parasympathetic nervous system and help decrease the intensity of sexual arousal.
• Body Scan Meditation: By becoming aware of the threshold of sensation, the body has more opportunity to move into preventative behaviors.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps to restructure maladaptive thoughts regarding sexual performance into adaptive thoughts and behaviors.

5. Masturbation 1 to 2 Hours Before Intercourse

Ejaculating before engaging in sexual intercourse helps to increase the individual’s control over ejaculation during intercourse by desensitizing their penis (thus, lessening penile sensitivity) and increasing the length of the time it takes for them to become aroused again. This method typically works best for younger men but also cannot be used as a long term method.

6. Thick Condoms / Desensitising Condoms

Using extra-thick condoms (or condoms coated with a tiny amount of benzocaine) will lessen the penile sensitivity of the male without influencing the partner. For men wanting immediate results, this is a cost effective and convenient method to consider.

How to Stop Premature Ejaculation with Medication

When behavioral techniques are not enough, then premature ejaculation medication comes in that provides highly effective relief. Some of these medications include the following:

Dapoxetine: The Fastest Acting Option

According to ScienceDirect, Dapoxetine is the only oral medication designed specifically for premature ejaculation. Dapoxetine is a fast-acting medication, with 1 to 3 hours required before sexual intercourse and then it will clear the body within 24 hours. The clinical research done on Dapoxetine in over 6,000 subjects:

• 30 mg Dapoxetine: Gave a 2.5 × increase in IELT
• 60 mg Dapoxetine: Gave a 3.0 × increase in IELT
• Patients with IELT ≤ 0.5 minutes: Found to have a 3.4× and 4.3× increase in IELT at 30 mg and 60 mg doses, respectively.

Daily SSRIs: Long Term Control

Using SSRIs like paroxetine and sertraline daily can increase serotonin levels in the brain, which delays the ejaculatory reflex and most of the SSRIs require 2 to 3 weeks of daily use before achieving maximum effect. Although SSRIs are effective, they also carry a risk of side effects with prolonged use such as reduced libido and nausea.

According to the NCBI/PubMed Review, SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) delay the ejaculatory interval (time from start of intercourse until ejaculation) by increasing the average IELT (Intravaginal ejaculatory latency time) by up to 13.2 times, although chronic SSRIs may increase the incidence of undesirable side effects.

Topical Anaesthetic Agents

Lidocaine and prilocaine sprays or creams (applied to the penis 10 to 15 minutes before sexual intercourse) can help to reduce sensitivity and are especially useful in men with penile hypersensitivity. They are prescription medicines and must be washed off the penis before being used on a partner to prevent transmitting the desensitizing effect to the partner.

Combination Therapy: Better Together

Research consistently shows that combining medication with behavioural techniques produces the best long-term outcomes.

Lifestyle Changes That Help Stop PE

There are several lifestyle changes to support long term success in men dealing with premature ejaculation.

• Regular Moderate Exercise: A study that was reported on Medscape found that men with PE who did moderate physical activity (30 minutes or more each time) at least five times a week had a measurable ejaculatory delay.
• Limit Your Use of Alcohol: Alcohol can disrupt serotonin signalling, which can contribute to your premature ejaculation over time.
• Manage Your Anxiety: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness apps or speaking to someone like a psychologist about anxiety will reduce your performance anxiety significantly.
• Open Communication With Your Partner: Couples who have open discussions about their PE report greater satisfaction with treatment and improved outcomes.
• Get Adequate Sleep and Reduce Stress: Chronic stress increases the level of cortisol (a hormone produced by the adrenal gland) in the body, which negatively affects sexual performance.

When Should You See a Doctor About PE?

It is recommended that you speak to a healthcare professional if premature ejaculation:

• Causes significant personal distress or anxiety
• Affect your relationship or partner satisfaction negatively
• Suddenly developed after a period of normal sexual function
• It occurs alongside erectile dysfunction (ED)
• Behavioral techniques have not produced improvement after 4 to 6 weeks.

Now, Australian men can access premature ejaculation assessments & prescription treatments completely online through telehealth platforms like DirectMeds.

How DirectMeds Can Help You Stop Premature Ejaculation

DirectMeds is an AHPRA registered telehealth platform that is designed specifically to help Australian men access confidential and doctor prescribed PE treatment privately:

• Complete a free 2 minute online premature ejaculation assessment
• Consult with an AHPRA registered doctor in under 5 minutes
• Receive a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs
• Get prescription medication

DirectMeds connects you with the right treatment for your situation from the comfort of home, whether you are looking to stop PE with medications or prefer natural and behavioral options first.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How can you cure premature ejaculation permanently?

PE can be managed extremely well for the majority of men when they receive an appropriate combination of treatments (as per medical approval). While some men may have had lifelong PE and may have a neurobiological component causing them to have ongoing PE, it may also be possible to cure acquired PE through targeted treatment.

Q2: How long should sex last before ejaculation is considered 'normal'?

The average IELT (intravaginal ejaculatory latency time) globally is approximately 5 minutes. In many cases, for men who are likely to have experienced premature ejaculation regularly, this condition would be considered clinically significant if their ejaculation occurs within 1 minute of insertion, especially if this causes distress, so that would define premature ejaculation.

Q3: Are there any natural supplements for premature ejaculation?

Some men have reported success with supplementation including Magnesium, Zinc and Ashwagandha for raising testosterone levels & reducing stress. But the current evidence is lacking for using supplementation as a standalone treatment. It is highly recommended to speak with your physician before using new supplements.

Q4: Does dapoxetine work the first time you take it?

Yes, dapoxetine is designed for on demand use and can be effective as early as your very first dose. You are required to take the medication 1 to 3 hours before sexual activity. Clinical studies have already confirmed that taking dapoxetine has greatly improved IELT from the initial use.

Q5: Can anxiety cause premature ejaculation?

Absolutely. Performance anxiety is often the more frequent cause of acquired PE. Anxious feelings activate the sympathetic nervous system, creating an increased rate of the ejaculatory reflex. Treating anxiety with CBT development, mindfulness techniques or therapy often will see excellent results when combined with some form of medication.

Q6: Is premature ejaculation related to erectile dysfunction?

Research studies have shown that as many as 70% of men with erectile dysfunction also suffer from PE. This is due to the anxiety many men experience while trying to maintain an erection, which often triggers a rush to climax. Frequently, once erectile dysfunction is treated, PE is resolved as well.

Q7: How quickly can I expect results from PE treatment?

Timeline varies:

• Dapoxetine/topical agents: Can work within hours of first use.
• Daily SSRIs (paroxetine and sertraline): Typically 2 to 3 weeks to reach full effect.
• Behavioural techniques (stop start, Kegels): Noticeable improvement within 4 to 8 weeks of consistent practice.
• Combined therapy: Fastest and most sustained results overall.

Q8: Is it embarrassing to get treatment for PE online in Australia?

No. Telehealth consultations for PE are confidential and follow the same clinical standards as an in person visit. Platforms such as DirectMeds allow men to consult an AHPRA registered doctor, receive a prescription if clinically appropriate and have medication delivered in plain packaging without needing to attend a clinic in person.