Understanding Premature Ejaculation: Impacts on Fertility and Pregnancy

Concerned about the link between sexual performance and pregnancy? Some men wonder if conditions such as premature ejaculation (PE) can impact fertility — thankfully, the answer is ‘no’, with a few minor caveats. Let’s take a look in more detail, with help from the ZipHealth experts.

What is premature ejaculation?

Premature ejaculation (PE), or early climax, is defined as ejaculation that happens sooner than intended during sexual activity, typically within the first minute of penetration. [1] It’s not a physically harmful condition, but it can lead to problems with anxiety, stress and self esteem. In some cases, it may also impact intimate relationships.

What causes premature ejaculation?

There are a number of potential causes of early climax, ranging from mental and physical factors to social issues. [2]

Psychological factors

Anxiety, particularly performance anxiety, can be a major contributor. Other mental health conditions such as stress and depression may also contribute. For some people, early negative experiences relating to sex can cause problems into adulthood. [3]

Physical factors

Hormonal imbalances, particularly serotonin, are thought to impact ejaculation. Other physical factors can include erectile dysfunction, prostate issues, or hypersensitivity in the penis. [3]

Relationship issues

Problems in relationships, such as stress, dissatisfaction or poor communication can also contribute to premature ejaculation. As well as this, there can also be instances where feeling increased pressure to ‘perform’ can cause distress leading to PE.

Is there a link between premature ejaculation and fertility?

Premature ejaculation is a sexual dysfunction that has no direct affect on fertility. Those who experience PE are just as likely to produce healthy sperm and achieve conception as men without PE.

However, there are some indirect ways it can impact the likelihood of conceiving. For example, if ejaculation regularly takes place before penetration or very early during intercourse, it may reduce the chances of sperm reaching the egg. 

Treatments for premature ejaculation

More good news is that premature ejaculation is treatable, with various methods available to help treat the underlying causes.

Behavioral techniques

These include the ‘stop-start’ method, which is done by stopping sexual activity just before ejaculation, then resuming [4], and the ‘squeeze’ technique, which involves squeezing the head of the penis for 10-20 seconds to delay ejaculation [5]. Both of these aim to increase a man’s control over ejaculation by practicing delayed ejaculation during sexual activity.

Counseling and therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can support the psychological factors behind PE, such as anxiety, stress, or relationship issues. [6] Couples therapy may also help if relational issues are a contributing factor. Reducing stress, practicing relaxation techniques and improving overall physical health can also help manage symptoms of premature ejaculation.

Medications

Some antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are known to delay ejaculation, and are sometimes prescribed for PE. One example is sertraline, which can help extend the duration of time before ejaculation by 7x as long. [7] To learn more, click here.Topical anesthetics, such as creams or sprays containing lidocaine or prilocaine, can also be applied to reduce sensitivity.

Medical devices

In some cases, specially designed condoms that decrease penis sensitivity may be recommended. These can help extend sexual activity by reducing stimulation.

Want to learn more about treatments for premature ejaculation? Start a free online consultation with our healthcare professionals at ZipHealth today.