Does masturbation cause premature ejaculation?
Myth vs. Reality

Let’s address the elephant in the room straight away. Does masturbation cause premature ejaculation? Does premature ejaculation cause infertility? The simple answer is no. Masturbation does not cause premature ejaculation. That said, it is a good idea to bust these common myths about masturbation and premature ejaculation. 

Premature ejaculation occurs when a male climaxes a lot earlier than they should. It could occur during foreplay or immediately after penetration. At times, it can even happen during masturbation. Regardless, it is not an ideal scenario by any stretch of the imagination. 

Premature ejaculation is caused due to many reasons, and masturbation is NOT one of them. But does masturbation contribute to premature ejaculation in any way? 

Let’s find out.  

Understanding premature ejaculation

Premature ejaculation is one of the most prevalent sexual problems among males worldwide. It affects one-third of men between the ages of 18 and 59. 

As mentioned above, premature ejaculation happens when a male has little control over when they ejaculate during sexual activity. This problem can cause severe stress between the partners and affect the male’s mental health. 

For many men, premature ejaculation is a one-off occurrence. However, it is a chronic problem for others, even after multiple sexual encounters. Although intermittent premature ejaculation should not raise any alarm bells, it becomes a concern when it happens regularly. That is when it can be deemed as a male sexual dysfunction. 

Causes of premature ejaculation

What causes premature ejaculation? Is this issue psychological or physical? It could be both. Let’s explore all the causes of premature ejaculation. 

Psychological causes of premature ejaculation:

• Stress
• Relationship problems
• A constant fear of climaxing early
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Low self-esteem
• Negative sexual experiences in the past

Biological and physical causes of premature ejaculation:

• Irregular hormone levels
• Thyroid hormone imbalance
• Recreational drugs
• Prostate disease
• Inflammation around the prostate 
• Chemical imbalance in the brain that controls ejaculation

Can masturbation cause premature ejaculation?

Now that we know what premature ejaculation is let’s dive a bit deeper to understand if masturbation can cause premature ejaculation. 

Does masturbation cause premature ejaculation? This is a myth and untrue. It is also true that masturbation does not cause erectile dysfunction. It would surprise you when you find out that there is a positive link between premature ejaculation and masturbation. 

In fact, regular masturbation is believed to be an effective way to address problems related to premature ejaculation. How? Masturbation helps you prolong the time you take to climax during sexual intercourse. Besides, masturbation also helps in boosting self-esteem and sexual confidence – both factors closely linked with premature ejaculation. 

If premature ejaculation is a chronic issue for men, they are advised to masturbate one or two hours before sexual intercourse. The main reason is that masturbation can sweep away sexual tension that could cause them to ejaculate early during intercourse. 

Multiple studies have highlighted how regular masturbation has enabled men to prolong the time they take to climax. All in all, masturbation does not cause premature ejaculation. In fact, it aids in addressing the problem. 

If you are experiencing premature ejaculation, you do not have to fight the problem alone. Reach out to Dr. Ramit Kamate and seek help from one of the best sexologists in Pune.