Causes of Premature Ejaculation
Experts are still not 100% sure about exactly what causes premature ejaculation. While it was once thought to be purely psychological, it is now understood that premature ejaculation is more complicated and involves a combination of both psychological and biological factors.
Psychological causes
Some doctors and sexual health experts believe that early sexual experiences may establish a pattern that can be difficult to change later in life such as:
- Situations in which you may have hurried to reach climax when you were younger.
- Guilty feelings that increase your tendency to rush through sexual encounters
- High stress levels
Other factors that can play a role in causing premature ejaculation include:
- Anxiety. Many men with premature ejaculation also have problems with anxiety — either specifically about sexual performance, or caused by other issues.
- Erectile dysfunction. Men who are anxious about obtaining or maintaining their erection during sexual intercourse may form a pattern of rushing to ejaculate which can be difficult to change.
Biological causes
Experts believe that a number of biological factors may also contribute to premature ejaculation, including:
- Abnormal hormone levels
- Abnormal levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters
- Abnormal reflex activity of the ejaculatory system
- Certain thyroid problems
- Inflammation and infection of the prostate or urethra
- Inherited traits
Whether premature ejaculation is caused by physiological or biological causes or a combination of the two, the good news is that treatment can be highly effective.