Causes

The exact cause of premature ejaculation isn't known. While it was once thought to be only psychological, doctors now know premature ejaculation involves a complex interaction of psychological and biological factors.

Psychological causes

Psychological factors that might play a role include:

• Early sexual experiences
• Sexual abuse
• Poor body image
• Depression
• Worrying about premature ejaculation
• Guilty feelings that increase your tendency to rush through sexual encounters

Other factors that can play a role include:

• Erectile dysfunction. Men who are anxious about obtaining or maintaining an erection during sexual intercourse might form a pattern of rushing to ejaculate, which can be difficult to change.
• Anxiety. Many men with premature ejaculation also have problems with anxiety — either specifically about sexual performance or related to other issues.
• Relationship problems. If you have had satisfying sexual relationships with other partners in which premature ejaculation happened infrequently or not at all, it's possible that interpersonal issues between you and your current partner are contributing to the problem.

Biological causes

A number of biological factors might contribute to premature ejaculation, including:

• Abnormal hormone levels
• Abnormal levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters
• Inflammation and infection of the prostate or urethra
• Inherited traits