Premature Ejaculation vs Impotence

You know something is wrong. The sex is too short, but is it erectile dysfunction or could it be something else?

Updated: Thursday 15 April 2021

Before you panic and buy all the medications under the sun for a quick fix, save your time and money and visit your GP or discuss your concerns with a pharmacist, who can provide you with a more accurate diagnosis and point you towards an effective treatment.

Viagra is the most sought-after medication among men and propagated through popular culture and media. But is it the right one for you? Do you require a treatment for erectile dysfunction, or do you need to treat premature ejaculation?

What, you may ask, is the difference between these two and why would Viagra not work for both? Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are two distinct conditions and the two of the most common male sexual problem. Taking a medication for one will not help if you have the other. The key is to diagnose the problem and its root cause before taking medication.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is when men have difficulty getting and maintaining your erection. A long list of causes accompanies it, including stress, smoking, an unhealthy weight, and even mental unease. So, if the prescribed medication’s performance is underwhelming, do not be discouraged.

Several treatments are available in the UK such as Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Spedra, and its generic versions. They all work in a similar way to widen the blood vessels in the penis, increasing the blood flow through the organ when sexually aroused. The differences being how long it takes to work and the duration of the effect.

Premature Ejaculation

Premature ejaculation, on the other hand, is defined when a man finds it difficult to control his ejaculation and ejaculates too quickly (just under two minutes) during sexual intercourse. This can cause feelings of anxiety and distress. It is one of the most common male sexual disorders affecting men aged between 18-64.

Although there is limited evidence to identify the cause of premature ejaculation, there is some evidence to suggest that men with this condition have an altered sensitivity of the serotonin receptors involved in ejaculation.

Priligy is the first drug specifically licensed to treat premature ejaculation. It contains the active ingredient Dapoxetine which is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and works by influencing the amount of serotonin that reaches the brain. Increasing the levels of serotonin will in turn delay ejaculation.

How to help your condition

• Talking
  Opening up and being honest with your partner can be very effective and useful to help overcome any issues you are having. You can seek specialist help if you feel you need to discuss it further.
• Relax
  Being relaxed during sex will help to steer your attention away from being too anxious about your erection or ejaculating too soon and focus on the sexual experience instead.
• Stop-Start Method
  Stopping and starting your arousal will help you understand your arousals and with practice be more confident with it and with your ejaculation.
• Medication
  ED – Viagra/Cialis/Levitra/Spedra
  PE – Priligy

Alternative treatments

Another point to keep in mind is that both erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are complicated conditions and if the medication is not working, you might want to consider alternative treatments including therapy, a change in diet, or simply an alteration to your lifestyle - some zen, quit your smoking habit or take up cycling for exercise and relieve some of the stress.

A final note on Viagra: it is not an aphrodisiac; it is to treat ED and not just help you to last longer or have a firmer erection. Medications have side effects on your body so think before you take the medicine for recreation.