What is premature ejaculation?

Premature ejaculation (PE) is defined when ejaculation occurs prior to, or early into coitus. It takes place too quickly (less than one minute) and occurs before, or soon after penetration into the vagina. Ejaculation occurring before vaginal penetration is less easily defined. Some therapists describe ejaculation as premature if a man is unable to continue intercourse for more than one minute without ejaculating, while others believe that men should be able to satisfy their healthy partners more than 50 percent of the time. Other stricter definitions propose PE to be ejaculation occurring one minute or less after vaginal penetration in 90 percent of sexual intercourses.

PE is a common physiological condition. Community statistics estimate the prevalence as 25-40% of adult men. Masters and Johnson have stated that PE is the most frequent male sexual dysfunction, but that men typically do not ask for treatment since they consider it futile or are told that there is no valid medical therapy.