Delayed Ejaculation: A Penis Function Issue Needing More Study

Mention penis function issues and what comes to mind to most men is either premature ejaculation or an inability to attain and/or maintain an erection. These are definitely penis function issues, but they are far from the only penis health issues which impact function of the organ. One of the lesser-known such issues is delayed ejaculation, sometimes called retarded ejaculation. And it’s a subject which deserves more study from the sexual health community.

What is delayed ejaculation?

In some ways, the name delayed ejaculation sums up the problem. It describes a situation in which a man continues to engage in sex (either with a partner or with himself) past the point when he wishes to have ejaculated or orgasmed.

But some medical professionals choose to define it as when a man is unable to ejaculate after having engaged sexually (again, with a partner or with himself) for 20 minutes or longer. This is a handy definition for research purposes, but it doesn’t accurately capture the issue at hand. There are many men who routinely engage in sex (especially masturbation) for much longer than 20 minutes and are perfectly happy to do so.

No, the definition needs to emphasize the fact that a man is continuing to have sex despite the fact that the wishes to ejaculate – that he has, in a sense, reached past the pinnacle of his desire and is continuing on without knowing when – of if – he will attain the release he so badly desires.

Not a joke

Men like no joke about being able to “last” for hours, but for the 1% to 4% of men who genuinely suffer from delayed ejaculation, this penis function problem is no laughing matter. It can lead to extreme frustration, inhibition, worry, anxiety and even depression.

Although there has been some attempt to study delayed ejaculation, there is still a lot about it that needs to be studied, beyond the need for a clearer definition. For example, how does the penis behave physically during this period, and is that behavior different from the behavior of the penis which achieves “typical” ejaculation? Meaning, does it go through different cycles of becoming more and less erect? If so, are there differences in how long these cycles last?

Does stimulation of the penis differ with delayed ejaculation – is it more or less sensitive on different points at different times? Does it respond more effectively to certain kinds of strokes or stimulation? There are several possible causes, including nerve damage, reactions to medications, side effects of certain conditions, mental health status, etc. What “mixture” of causes is most common? If certain medications have the unintended consequence of creating a delayed ejaculation situation, are there some which can induce an opposite issue, ones which can create a richer sensory sensation in the penis which would lead more naturally to release?

Scientists are interested in the issue, and research into it could provide greater general understanding of male sexual anatomical response. Here’s hoping that some breakthrough study will be forthcoming.

While further study of the penis function issue called delayed ejaculation is certainly needed, men in the meantime need to take steps to keep their penis health in general on the upswing. One way to help is by daily application of a first rate penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Look for a crème with the “L” pair – L-carnitine and l-arginine. The former is a neuroprotective agent which can be a big help in retaining penis sensation that may otherwise be lost due to rough handling. The latter is an amino acid which helps the body produce nitric oxide. This in turn better enables penile blood vessels to expand and open when greater blood flow is needed.