Male sexual reproductive experts have clarified that men battling premature ejaculation can still impregnate women, saying the condition does not automatically lead to infertility.

The urologists explained that premature ejaculation is primarily a sexual performance issue rather than a fertility disorder.

The experts noted that pregnancy can occur once sperm is released into the female reproductive tract, regardless of how quickly ejaculation happens during intercourse.

According to a health website, Mayo Clinic, premature ejaculation occurs in men when semen leaves the body (ejaculates) sooner than wanted during sex.

While identifying early sexual experiences, sexual abuse, depression, and guilty feelings as some of the causes of premature ejaculation, the clinic added that erectile dysfunction, anxiety, and relationship problems are also other factors responsible.

Experts say premature ejaculation is a common problem that affects 30 percent to 40 perc ent of men.

Also, the American Urological Association, citing data from the National Health and Social Life Survey, revealed a prevalence of 21% of PE cases in men ages 18 to 59 in the United States.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Healthwise, the male sexual experts dispelled the misconception that PE was synonymous with infertility.

They, however, noted that the condition may affect sexual satisfaction and emotional well-being for couples and partners.

A Consultant Urologist at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Dr. Ibrahim Fadeyi, said while PE could be distressing for partners, it does not affect the procreation process.

“Premature ejaculation does not preclude impregnation of a woman because, for fertilisation to take place, you just need a spermatozoon and an ovum to meet. So even if the person ejaculates prematurely, as long as the ejaculate is deposited at the opening of the vagina, the sperm can still migrate to where ovulation takes place,” the urologist said.

He, however, said that with PE, there is a tendency that the spermatozoa may not be deposited where they ought to be.

“And that can, if not totally affect fertilisation, reduce the chances of impregnating a woman. So, in essence, we can say yes, people who have premature ejaculation can still impregnate a woman, but the chances may be reduced significantly,” Fadeyi said.

According to him, the issue of dissatisfaction with the sexual experience due to PE can lead to anxiety, and that anxiety may even prevent the man from performing adequately or depositing semen where it is supposed to be.

“When it persists over time, it can lead to what we call psychogenic erectile dysfunction, where the man begins to lose interest in sex and may not even have the confidence to engage in intercourse, not to talk of achieving penetration needed for fertilisation,” he said.

However, the consultant urologist noted that what many people refer to as PE is most often not.

“It is also important to note that what people usually refer to as premature ejaculation may not actually be it in every case. For it to be considered a clinical problem, it must persist over a period of time, say about three months or more.

“If it happens occasionally, maybe once in a while, that can occur in any normal individual, and we may not classify that as premature ejaculation,” he said.

Speaking on the causes of PE, the consultant urologist noted that the condition can be psychological or have other underlying causes.

“Most times, premature ejaculation is usually psychogenic, though it can also have some organic causes. Psychogenic in the sense that if a man has had an unsatisfactory sexual experience before, that can make him anxious when meeting a new partner or even the same partner again.

“In some instances, some men may have underlying conditions. For example, anxiety disorders or hormonal imbalance, such as excessive thyroid hormone secretion (hyperthyroidism), can lead to increased anxiety and, in turn, premature ejaculation.

“Also, if someone has experienced trauma or has a lot of psychological stress, that can contribute to premature ejaculation,” he said.

Corroborating Fadeyi, a Senior Registrar, Urology Division at the Surgery Department of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Dr Mohammed Salisu, said that the factors that cause PE and infertility are quite different.
Dr Mohammed Salisu
Dr Mohammed Salisu

According to him, infertility has to do with the inability to achieve conception, not the inability to have sexual intercourse.

“Those men do not usually have fertility problems. The problem they have is a sexual function problem.

“Their sperm count would be adequate, they would have normal testicles and everything, and even with that, they would be able to impregnate a woman. It is just that they may not be able to satisfy their partners,” he said.

Salisu added, “Infertility, based on common notions, is often misunderstood. People tend to lump it together with premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and the inability to conceive. But medically, infertility refers to the inability of a couple to conceive after one year of unprotected sexual intercourse.”

The urologist listed infections of the prostate or abnormal hormone levels, including some medications, as some of the causes of PE.

“In some cases, trauma or injury to the spinal cord, or surgeries affecting the nervous system, can also be factors, since these systems play a role in ejaculation,” he said.

The expert noted that in some men who were hitherto fine sexually, anxiety or stress could trigger PE in them.

“If someone is stressed from work and comes home exhausted, and the partner expects performance for several minutes, it can affect them. Another factor is loss of sexual interest in one’s partner. All these psychological factors can affect performance.

“Even if the man wants to make the effort, the energy may not be there. Also, the environment matters, especially for married people,” he said.

On treatment, Salisu urged men suffering from premature ejaculation to visit the hospital for medical checks.

“Usually, the most important thing is proper evaluation. Treatment can be behavioural or pharmacological.

“For behavioural therapy, it often involves a supportive partner. Counselling and education are very important. Speaking with a urologist helps to identify the underlying cause. If no physical cause is found, then it is likely psychological, and counselling becomes key,” he said.

Salisu also said men battling PE can adopt the “start-and-stop” technique.

“In this method, during intercourse, when the person feels close to ejaculation, he stops and withdraws. After waiting for the arousal to reduce, he resumes. This requires a cooperative partner,” he said.

The urologist also recommended pelvic floor exercises for men suffering from PE.

“The general advice, honestly, as with most medical conditions, is for them to seek help in a hospital. It is treatable. There are non-drug methods and other approaches that patients can use to improve their condition. It is not an untreatable condition,” he said.

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