Premature ejaculation - meaning and definition

At a glance

• Premature ejaculation means regularly ejaculating sooner than wanted, with little sense of control, causing distress.
• It is one of the most common sexual concerns among people with a penis.
• It can be lifelong or develop later in life.
• Occasional early ejaculation, especially with a new partner or after a gap, is normal.
• Options include behavioural techniques, counselling or sex therapy, numbing products and some medications.

In detail

Not to be confused with

• Erectile dysfunction

  Erectile dysfunction concerns getting or keeping an erection.

Common questions

Related terms

• OrgasmAn orgasm is the peak of sexual response, usually felt as an intense release of built-up tension with rhythmic muscle contractions in the pelvic area, followed by relaxation.
• Performance anxietySexual performance anxiety is worry about how one will perform or be judged during sex, which can itself interfere with arousal and enjoyment.
• Sexual dysfunctionSexual dysfunction is a broad term for persistent problems with desire, arousal, orgasm or pain that cause a person distress.
• Sex therapySex therapy is a form of talking therapy that helps individuals and couples with sexual concerns, such as low desire, pain, performance worries or differences between partners.
• ProstateThe prostate is a walnut-sized gland below the bladder, in people typically assigned male at birth, that makes part of the fluid in semen.