You’re just a few moments into the act when it happens again. That familiar, overpowering sensation that you’ve tried to control or delay has already taken charge. You tense up, hoping this time will be different, but once more, you climax sooner than desired.
This leaves you feeling defeated and disconnected from both your partner and yourself.
Premature ejaculation (PE) can feel like an internal battle where your body seems uncooperative, difficult to manage, and extremely frustrating. With no definitive cure, many find themselves cycling through treatments that don’t fully meet expectations.
However, a new wave of technology-driven treatments is emerging, offering a promising drug-free, on-demand alternative. A 2024 study in IJIR: Your Sexual Medicine Journal examines initial research on how these innovations might assist those struggling with PE by delaying ejaculation.
Though further research is needed, these findings offer hope for enhancing quality of life and restoring a sense of control in intimate settings.
Understanding Premature Ejaculation
The International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) defines premature ejaculation using three main criteria:
- Ejaculation occurs very quickly following vaginal penetration.
- Consistently unable to delay ejaculation during most or all sexual encounters involving vaginal penetration.
- This leads to personal distress, frustration, or avoidance of sexual intimacy.
In lifelong premature ejaculation, which begins with a person’s first sexual experience, climax typically happens within one minute. Acquired premature ejaculation arises after a period without such concerns and usually occurs within three minutes.
This definition is primarily focused on heterosexual vaginal intercourse, with limited data on premature ejaculation in the context of anal sex or same-sex encounters.
Since PE is often self-reported and diagnosed based on distress rather than clear medical indicators, its true prevalence is challenging to measure. Older studies indicated that 20-30% of men experienced PE, but newer research with stricter criteria suggests the rate is closer to 5%.
The exact causes of premature ejaculation are not fully understood. Experts believe lifelong PE is primarily due to brain chemical changes affecting ejaculation regulation. Factors like increased penile sensitivity, erectile issues, genetic differences, hormone imbalances, and prostate problems may also contribute.
Acquired PE is typically linked to medical, psychological, or relationship issues.
Traditional Treatments and Their Limitations
Topical anesthetics such as numbing or desensitizing gels, creams, and sprays are commonly used in treating premature ejaculation. Since the 1990s, treatments have primarily involved topical anesthetics, antidepressants, and behavioral therapy. While some may find temporary relief, PE often returns once these treatments are stopped.
Topical anesthetics are not popular, with up to 75% of men expressing dissatisfaction and only about 10% continuing their use.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can delay ejaculation by increasing serotonin levels, but many discontinue due to minimal effects.
Behavioral therapy helps teach techniques to build confidence and reduce anxiety during sex, benefiting 45-65% of men in the short term, though long-term effects remain uncertain.
Exploring New Technological Solutions
In search of additional solutions, Dr. Ilan Gruenwald and Dr. Arik Shechter explored emerging research-backed technologies in their article, “New technologies developed for treatment of premature ejaculation.”
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) applied to pelvic floor muscles may help some last longer in bed. In a 2017 study, Shechter and colleagues tested TENS on the perineal area of 23 men with lifelong PE, aiming to keep pelvic muscles slightly contracted to disrupt the reflex triggering ejaculation.
Results showed a significant increase in ejaculation time from 124.6 seconds to 311.4 seconds. Most participants tolerated the treatment well, though a few reported discomfort or pain during sessions.
Building on these results, a miniaturized, on-demand perineal TENS device called the In2 patch® was developed. A 2019-2020 study by Shechter and colleagues tested this device in 59 men with lifelong PE, comparing it to a placebo patch.
The active group saw average ejaculation time increase from 67 to 123 seconds, a meaningful improvement. The placebo group also experienced a slight increase, from 63 to 81 seconds, but it wasn’t statistically significant.
No serious side effects were noted, though two mild issues arose: one participant felt discomfort near an old scar, and another reported pelvic pain during sex.
Another technique studied was transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (TPTNS), targeting nerves involved in semen release. In a small phase II trial, 54% of men had a threefold increase in ejaculation time with minimal side effects. However, a second trial showed only modest gains, with the placebo group also improving, likely due to probe contact sensations.
Innovative Tools and Techniques
Beyond nerve stimulation, physical tools have been explored to help retrain the arousal response. One method combines behavioral training with the Myhixel® device, a masturbation aid designed to reduce sensitivity and simulate intercourse.
In a clinical trial, 52 men completed an eight-week sphincter control program, and half used the Myhixel® device alongside the training.