Premature or early ejaculation is the most common form of sexual dysfunction for men all over the world. The fact is, almost every man in the world experiences premature ejaculation at least once in his adult life. But while the condition is common, it’s still not fully understood by most men.

1. Early Is a Bit Subjective

There’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to diagnosing how early is too early. Generally speaking, experts agree that anything under a minute constitutes as a case of early ejaculation. It must also be a short enough time that it affects sexual pleasure for both the man and his partner. That means a man could last longer than a minute, but still be diagnosed with premature ejaculation.

2. It Even Happens Alone

Premature ejaculation is called a sexual dysfunction, but you don’t need a partner present for it to happen. Men who struggle with the condition on a chronic basis report that it happens even when they’re masturbating.

3. It Gets Complicated

There is a wide range of contributing factors that can play a role in premature ejaculation. This can make the condition hard to treat but it illustrates how interconnected our sexual health is to our overall health. Nutrition and physical fitness play a huge role in sexual health since they both contribute to a healthy cardiovascular system. Healthy blood flow is vital for male potency and sexual health. Mental and emotional health also impact sexual health. Stress in particular can have a huge impact on sexual performance and satisfaction.

4. Sometimes It’s Physiological

While there are plenty of physical risk factors, physiological issues can also come into play. These are usually centred around situations where men feel pressured to climax quickly either because they have fears of getting caught or because something about the situation itself gives them great anxiety.

5. More Sex Can Help

Sex therapy such as masturbation can be used to effectively treat early ejaculation. In some cases, men are encouraged to masturbate more slowly in order to pick up on the physical cue their body gives as it approached climax. Men can also enlist the help of their partner for some sexual therapy that involves intercourse and foreplay.

6. Lifelong or Acquired

When doctors speak to their patients about premature ejaculation, they frame it either as being a lifelong or acquired issue. This differentiation helps them to better treat men depending on the case. Lifelong relates to issues which may have plagued a man since adolescence and usually there is a deep underlying cause. These cases are usually treated with a number of different approaches at once in order to address the cause and lessen the symptoms immediately. Acquired premature ejaculation is usually traced back to a specific trigger and is often treated by addressing the underlying cause directly.

7. Treatment Options Abound

There are many different treatment options with more on the horizon. From topical creams to prescription medications, doctors and their patients can work together to find the treatment approach and products that fit every man.

8. The Importance of Communication

Men are often reluctant to speak to their doctor about problems with sexual performance. More and more companies and medical establishments are reaching out to men directly in order to overcome this stigma. The Mayo Clinic, for example, now offers information for men on how to best prepare for an appointment to discuss sexual health.

9. Communicate With Your Partner Too

Your doctor isn’t the only person you should be talking to. Speak to your partner about what’s going on. Premature ejaculation isn’t exactly the kind of problem you can hide, so don’t worry about shocking her. Instead, use her support and help to make the most out of whatever treatment plan you eventually choose.

10. There is No Cure

While no cure exists for early ejaculation, a focused treatment plan can work wonders. For men who have dealt with the issue for a long time, treatment may mean embracing a new lifestyle for the long term. While this can be difficult at first, the energy put into improving sexual health is most certainly time well spent.