But what if you found it difficult or impossible to climax? Men suffering with DE tend to still feel sexual desire and arousal; they can get and maintain an erection. This can leave you feeling starved of closeness to your partner as well as missing that release of tension and subsequent relaxation, which reaching orgasm can bring. You may have suffered with DE since you were sexually active or it may have begun gradually or suddenly. Many men with psychologically induced DE find that it only occurs during penetrative intercourse with a partner. Masturbation on their own, with a partner masturbating them, or oral sex may often lead to a fulfilling orgasm and ejaculation. The problem may be specific to a certain situation — often this is penetrative sex.

Sam is laid back, with an easy smile. Turns out many do. Fun fact: On average, men orgasm within 5 to 11 minutes of penetrative sex. For example, people with diabetes may experience delayed ejaculation because diabetes causes neuropathic disease, Butcher told me. But we'll save that story for another day.

Delayed ejaculation — sometimes called impaired ejaculation — is a condition in which it takes an extended period of sexual stimulation for men to reach sexual climax and release semen from the penis ejaculate. Some men with delayed ejaculation are unable to ejaculate at all. Delayed ejaculation can be temporary or a lifelong problem. Possible causes of delayed ejaculation include certain chronic health conditions, surgeries and medications. Treatment for delayed ejaculation depends on the underlying cause.