Premature ejaculation is an issue that men are not comfortable sharing. The Department of Urology at Singapore General Hospital shares advice on how to do so with your doctor.
Premature ejaculation is more common than erectile dysfunction, but it is less talked about because there wasn’t any medicine readily available until recently. The situation changed in March 2011 with the launch of Priligy, a pill able to prolong the length of intercourse up to three times.
So men now have an option for premature ejaculation (PE), but they must be willing to discuss their problem with a medical practitioner. Not necessarily an easy task, is it? Here is some advice on how to broach the delicate topic whilst at the doctor’s office.
Most men won't talk about premature ejaculation (PE)
Some 77 percent of Singaporean men with premature ejaculation have never mentioned their problem to a doctor, according to the Premature Ejaculation Prevalence and Attitudes (PEPA) survey. Men are more likely to discuss erectile dysfunction, because of the awareness effort put in by drug companies over the last decade.
What’s holding most of the men back? The previous lack of effective treatment for PE and, of course, the stigma. Also, most men with PE tend to have it since young. As their problem does not stop them from impregnating their partner – unlike erectile dysfunction – they may not feel the urgency to address the issue.
How to talk to your doctor about PE
Already, a number of men have come forward because of the new drug Priligy. A local urologist said that about half of his PE patients come out of their own accord; the other half is driven by their partner.
How to talk to your doctor if you suffer from premature ejaculation:
- Bring up the topic right at the beginning of the visit. Don’t worry about using the right “medical” terms.
- Find a Premature Ejaculation Questionnaire online, print the results and take them with you. Alternatively, you could print some relevant article – like this one -- to show your doctor.
- If it helps, you can readily admit your discomfort by saying: “It’s a bit embarrassing, but I’d like to talk about a sexual problem.”
- Take your partner along for support or help in answering the questions you may be asked.
- Have a list of the conditions you are treated for or had in the past. Include your current medications and any recent health check results.
- Rest assured that your physician has heard it all before. It’s virtually impossible to shock a doctor.
If anything, many doctors in Singapore have worked and received medical training in Western countries, where male patients are more forthcoming and will readily discuss their sexual orientation.
What you need to remember is that a doctor with a solid holistic approach will be glad to help you improve your quality of life. However, physicians are not mind-readers, so chances are, you will have to take the first step and bring up the topic.
A final word about buying pills online: A lot of the pills sold on the internet do contain active ingredients found in the actual medicine. The problem is that these pills may contain other ingredients that might interact with each other and cause unwanted and sometimes detrimental side effects.
Ref: T12
