Please remember, this column is designed to help the consumer seeking behavioral-health information, and not intended to be any form of psychotherapy or a replacement for professional, individualized services. Opinions expressed in the column are those of the columnist and do not represent the position of other SelfhelpMagazine.com staff.

Question

Is premature ejaculation a type of erection problem?

Answer

We can see how you might get these two confused, especially if you look at it from the end point. A man experiencing either of these conditions comes away from a sexual encounter with a limp penis, doubts about his ability to please his partner (and often himself), and a general sense of dissatisfaction -- if not downright depression.

However, the differences are in the roots of the problems. Premature or rapid ejaculation results from a man not feeling in control of the timing of his ejaculation. Erection problems arise from difficulties in not getting hard or staying hard. Some contributors to the former may be sexual inexperience, extreme excitement, or being conditioned to orgasm rapidly. The latter, we are finding more and more often, have some kind of physiological contributor such as medication side effects, nerve damage, or circulation compromise as well as psychological concerns about performance or mood. So consider the source in clarifying these confounding conditions.

Look in our article section for a more in-depth discussion and possible ways to help.

03/18/98

Dr. Al Cooper, clinical director at the San Jose Marital and Sexuality Centre (408-248-9737), runs the training program for Counseling and Psychological Services at Stanford University. Dr. Cooper is internationally known for his work in sexuality and is freqently interviewed by the media. He currently writes a column in Men's Health Magazine.

Dr. Coralie Scherer coordinates online services for the Centre and specializes in sexual trauma, women's issues, and marital therapy.