Question
When I have sex with my partner, I always ejaculate earlier than I want to. What’s a normal length of time to last during sex? I think what I’m experiencing is premature ejaculation. I read online that anti-depressants can help by causing delayed ejaculation. Is this true?
Answer
During sexual intercourse, most men ejaculate between 5-10 minutes and research has shown the average time to ejaculate after penetration is five and a half minutes.
Usually, ejaculation less than one to one and a half minutes after penetration is regarded as premature ejaculation. But if this causes no distress to either partner, no treatment is necessarily required. The presence of distress in association with quick ejaculation often indicates the need for treatment.
There are a few treatments including behavioural exercises, use of condoms and anaesthetic spray, as well as anti-depressant medication (also known as SSRI). This requires a doctor’s prescription and comes in two forms. SSRI medication is a very successful treatment for depression but it has a significant side effect of delaying ejaculation which is why it’s sometimes prescribed for men with premature ejaculation.
Want to learn more about premature ejaculation? Check out the information on our premature ejaculation page or browse through our resource library for fact sheets, information guides and videos on retrograde ejaculation and other ejaculation and erectile problems.
Dr Michael Lowy
Dr Michael Lowy is a sexual health physician specialising in men’s health conditions, sexual medicine and counselling. Dr Lowy is specifically trained in the treatment of male sexual dysfunction (libido, erection, ejaculation disorders), and relationship and sexual problems affecting individuals and couples.
People also ask
How long should foreplay last for better sex?
There’s no set rule for how long foreplay should last. The key is to focus on building arousal and enjoyment for both partners rather than sticking to a specific timeframe. Communicating with your partner can help with that.
Can anxiety cause premature ejaculation?
While short-term anxiety appears linked to PE, one study found no clear evidence that long-term generalized anxiety directly causes PE. The direction of causality is not always clear – anxiety may cause PE in some cases, while PE may cause anxiety in others.
How can I increase sexual stamina naturally?
There are natural things that you can do before and during sex to help control ejaculation. For instance, you can masturbate an hour or two before having sex or you could wear a thick condom to decrease the sensation during sex. Trying out new positions with your partner may also help you, as you can identify which positions make you feel the most aroused. There are also exercises you can practice alone or with your partner to help build tolerance and delay ejaculation, like the squeeze method and the stop-start method. Learn more about them here.
Are there exercises to improve sexual endurance in men?
Kegel exercises, also known as pelvic floor exercises, involve repeatedly contracting and relaxing the muscles that make up your pelvic floor. Kegel exercises can resolve premature ejaculation in 55% to 83% of cases.
