A satisfying sex life is essential to any successful relationship, and sexual wellbeing is crucial to a person's overall health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as: “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.
Feelings of frustration. Sexual dissatisfaction can cause feelings of frustration, anger and disappointment and may negatively impact a couple’s intimacy and harmony. A man's discomfort (both physical and psychological) combined with his partner's reduced sexual satisfaction, can cause serious problems in both a couple’s sexual and emotional life. In other words, there are many aspects to Premature Ejaculation (PE), which can have negative effects on the couple.
Men/couples with PE and their partners show significant:
- reductions in levels of sexual functioning;
- reductions in levels of satisfaction with sexual intercourse;
- reductions in the overall quality of life;
- increased levels of distress;
- increased levels of interpersonal difficulty.
The fact remains unchallenged that both men and women find it difficult to talk about PE:
- Only 9% of men with PE consult a physician about their problem, and over half of the men with PE (52.2%) who did not talk to a physician indicate that they had never considered such an option.
- PE men may believe that they are not providing adequate sexual satisfaction and find it easier to cheat on their partners. On the other hand, the man may be perceived by his partner as selfish, while often an open heart talking demonstrates that men feels bad about his condition too.
A problem that couples can resolve together. Premature ejaculation is a problem that a couple should try to resolve together. Mutual dialogue unites the couple and represents one of the most effective "tools" for finding a solution. A partner, who shares the burden of premature ejaculation may also contribute to the solution, talking to the man gently, and helping him to become aware of the problem, so that he can seek a way to resolve it. In fact, it’s often thanks to a partner that men go to see a doctor, which is the only way to diagnose the problem properly, find the underlying cause and, if necessary, undergo effective therapy to treat it.
A majority of men with PE (more than 60%) stated that they would seek treatment for PE if their partner suggested it, and nearly 75% of men with PE who did seek treatment did so based on a desire to increase the sexual satisfaction of their partner. See more in: How to talk to your partner with PE
In conclusion, PE is certainly a delicate subject to discuss, but talking openly with a doctor is the only way to overcome the problem. Therefore:
- you need to overcome taboos and embarrassment in speaking about PE;
- you must recognise PE as a medical condition that can be treated successfully;
- it’s important to present at a doctor's office for the correct diagnosis and treatment, because there are appropriate solutions available.
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