Delayed ejaculation is a medical condition where it can take a longer than usual for a man to orgasm and ejaculate. Some men with the condition cannot ejaculate at all, no matter how much sexual activity or stimulation is given. It is considered to be the opposite of premature ejaculation, where a man releases semen from his penis too quickly. While the occasional delayed ejaculation is normal, repeated instances of the condition can be a sign of a mental or psychical problem that can negatively affect a man and his partner's sexual health.
An ejaculation is an involuntary reaction to sexual activity. While some degree of orgasm control can be used to delay or advance ejaculation, most men reach an orgasm and ejaculate after several minutes of sexual intercourse. For men who suffer from delayed ejaculation, the time taken to reach an orgasm can be much longer. Sometimes it may take close to an hour for them to be able to ejaculate. It is common for men to take longer to ejaculate as they age, but excessive times to reach orgasm are never normal no matter what the age of the person.
Many times delayed ejaculation is caused by psychological issues. One of the most common causes of the condition is stress, which is frequently cited as a cause for impotence and many other sexual health issues in men. If stress is the cause of the disorder, continued instances of it happening will tend to only make it worse, as the stress builds. Sexual repression and feelings of guilt can also lead to delayed orgasms. Sometimes maintaining masturbation habits that cannot be replicated during intercourse, such as extremely fast hand motions, may make it more difficult to maintain an erection or ejaculate during intercourse. Most of the psychological issues associated with sexual health can be treated with therapy. Usually couples therapy is preferred.
There are many physical causes for delayed ejaculation as well. Any disease or trauma that causes nerve damage can make it harder to achieve an erection or orgasm, as the sensitivity to the region can be adversely affected. Antidepressants are frequently cited for sexual side effects, including delayed ejaculation and difficulty achieving orgasm. If this becomes bothersome for the person on the medication they may switch to another antidepressant, some people are affected by different medications in different ways. Drug and alcohol abuse can also affect the ability for a man to maintain an erection or achieve an orgasm.