The focus of this chapter is on clinical treatment strategies and tactics rather than on a scholarly review of the existing literature.
Medically reviewed byGerald Hurowitz, M.D.Updated 27 March 20115 min read
Key points
In this section, we review current treatment strategies for the male orgasmic disorders, which are classified in DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association 1994) as premature ejaculation and male orgasmic disorder.
However, the clinician's approach to treatment of a patient should be guided by a coherent conceptualization of the patient's problem.
Premature Ejaculation should be distinguished from erectile dysfunction related to the development of a general medical condition.
Persistent or recurrent ejaculation with minimal sexual stimulation before, on, or shortly after penetration and before the person wishes it.
Explore Premature Ejaculation and Male Orgasmic Disorder
In this section, we review current treatment strategies for the male orgasmic disorders, which are classified in DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association 1994) as premature ejaculation and male orgasmic disorder. The focus of this chapter is on clinical treatment strategies and tactics rather than on a scholarly review of the existing literature.
However, the clinician's approach to treatment of a patient should be guided by a coherent conceptualization of the patient's problem. Therefore, an overview of male orgasmic problems and attendant diagnostic issues is presented. In addition, we discuss the prevalence of these two disorders and briefly survey theories and research on the causes of male orgasmic disorders.
Premature ejaculation: Inability to constantly control the ejaculatory reflex is a common sexual disorder affecting all age groups. Definition criteria vary, e.g., inability to maintain an erection of sufficient duration to satisfy a partner, or ejaculation that occurs before individual wants it to. Natural biological response is to ejaculate within 2 minutes after vaginal penetration. Ejaculatory control is an acquired behavior that increases with experience.
Retarded ejaculation: A condition in which erection is normal, or prolonged, but ejaculation does not occur
Retrograde ejaculation: The valve at the base of the bladder fails to close during ejaculation and the ejaculate is forced backward into the bladder. Erection and sexual pleasure are usually not diminished.
System(s) affected: Reproductive, Nervous
Genetics: No known genetic pattern
Incidence/Prevalence in USA: Premature ejaculation is common (particularly in the adolescent)
Predominant age: All age groups
Predominant sex: Male only
Signs and Symptoms
Ejaculation occurring before individual wishes
Ejaculation does not occur following normal erection (including masturbation)
Some drugs may impair ejaculation, eg, certain MAO inhibitors, SSRIs, alpha-blockers, antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants
Premature ejaculation
Sexual inexperience
High level of sexual arousal
Fear of sexually transmitted disease
Anxiety
Guilty feelings about sex
Interpersonal maladaptation (marital problems, unresponsiveness of mate)
Lack of privacy
Risk Factors: Listed with Causes
Diagnosis
Differential Diagnosis:
Premature Ejaculation should be distinguished from erectile dysfunction related to the development of a general medical condition. Some individuals with erectile dysfunction may omit their usual strategies for delaying orgasm. Others require prolonged noncoital stimulation to develop a degree of erection sufficient for intromission. In such individuals, sexual arousal may be so high that ejaculation occurs immediately. Occasional problems with premature ejaculation that are not persistent or recurrent or are not accompanied by marked distress or interpersonal difficulty do not qualify for the diagnosis of Premature Ejaculation. The clinician should also take into account the individual's age, overall sexual experience, recent sexual activity, and the novelty of the partner.
When problems with Premature Ejaculation are due exclusively to substance use (e.g., Opioid Withdrawal), a Substance-Induced Sexual Dysfunction can be diagnosed.
Diagnostic criteria for Premature Ejaculation
A. Persistent or recurrent ejaculation with minimal sexual stimulation before, on, or shortly after penetration and before the person wishes it. The clinician must take into account factors that affect duration of the excitement phase, such as age, novelty of the sexual partner or situation, and recent frequency of sexual activity.
B. The disturbance causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty.
C. The premature ejaculation is not due exclusively to the direct effects of a substance (e.g., withdrawal from opioids).
Laboratory
Laboratory test results are usually normal
Post-ejaculate urinalysis will confirm retrograde ejaculation when infertility is a concern
Drugs that may alter lab results: N/A
Disorders that may alter lab results: N/A
Pathological Findings: N/A
Special tests
Look for diabetes, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury
Premature ejaculation treatment Appropriate Health Care: Outpatient
General Measures
Identification of any medical cause (even if not reversible) helps patient accept condition
Improve partner communication
Reduce performance pressure through reassurance
Use sensate focus therapy
Techniques to learn ejaculatory control, e.g., coronal squeeze technique or start-and-stop technique
Use of a variety of resources may be necessary, e.g., psychiatrists, psychologists, sex therapists, vascular surgeons, urologists, endocrinologists, neurologists
If drugs are a possible cause, consider discontinuing or changing dosage
Retrograde ejaculation may be helped if intercourse occurs when bladder is full
Surgical Measures: N/A
Activity No restrictions
Diet No special diet except for diabetics
Patient Education See General Measures
Drugs of choice
Premature ejaculation may respond to topical anesthesia gel applied under a condom for 30 minutes prior to intercourse. Clomipramine or sertraline have been shown to delay ejaculation for 4-6 minutes.
Switching antidepressants to bupropion, nefazodone, or mirtazapine or possibly trazodone often eliminates drug-induced ejaculatory disturbance
Retarded orgasm and ejaculation in patients who must continue SSRI drugs may respond to sildenafil
Contraindications: N/A
Precautions: N/A
Significant possible interactions: N/A
Alternative Drugs: N/A
Patient Monitoring As needed depending on type of therapy
Prevention/Avoidance Better sexuality education may reduce problems
Possible complications
Psychological impact on some males - signs of severe inadequacy, self-doubt, additional anxiety and guilt
Expected course/prognosis Often improves with therapy and counseling
Associated Conditions
Neurological disorders, e.g., multiple sclerosis
Prostatitis
Psychological disorders
Interpersonal disorders
Age-related Factors
Pediatric: N/A
Geriatric: Age alone does not cause ejaculation problems
Others: N/A
Pregnancy: N/A
Synonyms
Premature ejaculation
Retarded ejaculation
Retrograde ejaculation
Inhibited orgasm in males
Course
A majority of young males learn to delay orgasm with sexual experience and aging, but some continue to ejaculate prematurely and may seek help for the disorder. Some males are able to delay ejaculation in a long-term relationship but experience a recurrence of Premature Ejaculation when they have a new partner. Typically, Premature Ejaculation is seen in young men and is present from their first attempts at intercourse. However, some males lose the ability to delay orgasm after a period of adequate function. When onset occurs after a period of adequate sexual function, the context is often a decreased frequency of sexual activity, intense performance anxiety with a new partner, or loss of ejaculatory control related to difficulty achieving or maintaining erections. Some males who have stopped regular use of alcohol may develop Premature Ejaculation because they relied on their drinking to delay orgasm instead of learning behavioral strategies.
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