Premature ejaculation is the term given to a condition that causes men to sexually climax sooner than desired. It's a common condition that may be experienced occasionally, although if it's happening regularly and impacting your relationship, you might want to consider exploring possible treatments.

Premature ejaculation can have a range of physical and psychological causes.

Contributing physical factors include:

• Prostate issues

• An over- or underactive thyroid gland

• Recreational drug use

Psychological causes can include:

• Stress

• Depression

• Situational anxiety triggered by apprehension around physical performance

There are several treatment options available to help address premature ejaculation.

These include medicines and psychological interventions such as talking therapies.

Medication options include a fast-acting SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) specifically intended to treat premature ejaculation. This medicine is licensed in the UK under the brand name, Priligy (active ingredient - dapoxetine) for males aged between 18 and 64. It works by extending the time between sexual arousal and ejaculation.

Priligy is a prescription-only medicine and our doctors will assess your suitability for this treatment when they review your online consultation.

EMLA cream is another treatment option. This local anaesthetic cream temporarily numbs the skin, prolonging male climax by reducing sensitivity to sexual stimulation. EMLA is available with or without a prescription.

Psychological treatments can help to address underlying factors that may be contributing to premature ejaculation. You can learn more about sex therapy on the NHS website.

There are a few self-help techniques for premature ejaculation that you might want to try. These include:

• Masturbating 1-2 hours before sexual activity

• Using condoms to reduce sensitivity

• Trying different sexual positions to see if any of these help to delay climax