Diagnosis and management of delayed ejaculation: No longer a protracted battle

First, determine if it is delayed ejaculation syndrome.

At first glance, having a persistent erection all night seems impressive. But upon closer inspection, it's not really that exciting.

Dr. Walker said, "Some men will say they wish they could do this, but the truth is, you don't want to. Because it means you lose control of the entire sexual process, and you are controlled instead."

Dr. Arlene Goldman is the coordinator of the Jefferson Center for Sexual Function Research at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. Dr. Goldman states, "Engaging in sexual activity under these circumstances is painful for both the man and his partner."

How can you tell if your sexual activity has moved beyond non-parallel development and entered the realm of delayed orgasm? Listen to the advice of Dr. Delwood Neal, Associate Professor of Surgery, Microbiology, and Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Medical School in Galveston.

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• Commonality: Not frequent. However, the likelihood of this occurring increases with age.

Risk factors: Primarily psychological, such as stress or fear. Some medications, especially antidepressants, can also cause delayed ejaculation. Other causes include: increasing age, diabetes, or abdominal surgery.

• Affected age group: Any man can experience this symptom, but men over 50 are more likely to experience it.

• Gender differences: limited to men only.

• Seek help from a sex therapist. If you suspect other causes, such as pain, you can see a urologist.

Dr. Neil said, "Most people consider it a case of delayed climax if intercourse lasts for an hour or an hour and a half without orgasm."

If you experience a delay in ejaculation while feeling down, it's probably nothing to worry about-you can treat this sexual encounter as a test. However, if you experience repeated inability to ejaculate, or if you ejaculate too late during intercourse, causing distress for you and your partner, you should seek help from a sex therapist or urologist.

Dr. Mark Cohen, an associate professor of surgery and urology at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, says, "If you can't ejaculate, there's something wrong with your testicles; you don't have that 'bursting' feeling."

Don't stay up all night.

If you occasionally experience delayed ejaculation or if it's your first time, the following methods can help you reach orgasm.

"For men who have never had this experience before, I generally advise them to think about it and find out why," Dr. Goldman said.

Ask yourself: Are you taking any new medications? Have you been under a lot of stress lately? Are you feeling tired or exhausted? Have you been angry with your sexual partner or anyone else? Have you been drinking too much alcohol? Have your feelings for your sexual partner changed? All of these can hinder your passion.

Limiting alcohol intake can lead to delayed ejaculation. One common cause of delayed ejaculation is excessive alcohol consumption.

Dr. Neil said, "Studies have shown that alcohol has a suppressive effect; it can inhibit ejaculation. Some people feel strong and great after binge drinking, believing they can have prolonged intercourse, but this is not the case. In reality, drunkards are likely facing the situation where their penis is simply unable to achieve an erection."

Therefore, when you need to drink to stimulate your nerves and ignite your passion, follow Socrates' advice: moderation in all things-you can drink a sip or two every hour to keep your spirits high.

Let your fantasies ignite your sexual desire. Some people are unable to ejaculate because they feel guilty about what they are doing, and this guilt buries their excitement and orgasm. Therefore, doctors suggest that you fully engage in your fantasies during intercourse.

Dr. Goldman said, "Many men with ejaculatory dysfunction are unable to adequately arouse their desire through imagination. The key to enabling them to ejaculate is to ignite their passion, and fantasy can do this."

Appropriate adjustments can sometimes make it difficult for a man to achieve sufficient arousal from his sexual partner, especially when his partner is a woman with an overly loose vagina. Vaginal laxity can be caused by childbirth.

Dr. Harold Reed, director of the Reed Mobile Urology Center, says, "Sometimes, the woman's vagina doesn't provide enough friction to arouse her partner, while some men need that friction and stimulation more than others in order to ejaculate."

If vaginal intercourse brings you intense arousal and pleasure, but you don't, you can have your partner rub your penis with one hand. Use other sexual techniques to stimulate sensitive areas of your penis to help you reach orgasm.