What is delayed/inhibited ejaculation?
Delayed ejaculation, which is sometimes be referred to as inhibited or retarded ejaculation, is a problem where male ejaculation occurs only after a comparatively long period of sexual stimulation (or in some cases, not at all). To be specific, if a man is unable to ejaculate after 30 minutes of sexual stimulation, he is experiencing delayed ejaculation; at least, this is what medical professionals formally consider to be delayed ejaculation. While a man’s sperm quality may be perfectly fine, if he’s unable to ejaculate, this of course poses a problem for fertility.Some men may experience delayed ejaculation only temporarily, while other men experience it chronically. There are 2 main differentiations to make with a diagnosis (made by yourself or a doctor) of delayed ejaculation:
- Lifelong OR Acquired - A man may have experienced delayed ejaculation for most or all of his life, or it may have developed in the relatively recent past.
- Generalized OR Situational - Delayed ejaculation may be an issue in all situations, regardless of energy level, sexual partner, interest in sex at that moment, type of stimulation, etc., or it may be specifically related to a particular situation (and, in this case, it may be possible that a man experiences delayed ejaculation only in this situation and not in others).
What causes delayed ejaculation?
There are many different things that can cause delayed ejaculation, and the reason tends to vary greatly from man to man. Some of the causes of inhibited ejaculation may include:- Psychological causes (such as poor body image, depression/anxiety, a mental health condition, stress, differences between sexual expectations and reality, etc.)
- Causes related to taking pharmaceutical drugs (medications that may cause delayed ejaculation include high blood pressure drugs, some antidepressants, some antipsychotics, some anti-seizure drugs, and some diuretics)
- Regular alcohol use
- Medical causes (diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and other chronic health conditions can sometimes contribute to the development of delayed ejaculation)
- Physical causes (neurological diseases, urinary tract infections, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism/low testosterone levels, injury to certain pelvic nerves, birth defects in the male reproductive system, previous prostate surgery, etc.)
- Retrograde emission / ejaculation (where the semen goes backwards into the bladder when a man orgasms)
- Relational issues (poor communication with sexual/life partner, problems with family, sickness or death of a family member or close friend, etc.)
Because there are so many causes for delayed ejaculation, there are obviously, therefore, a variety of different treatment options that may be effective for the treatment of this condition. Below we’ll explore some potential treatments and in which situations they may be most effective in the treatment of delayed ejaculation.
Herbal Remedies for Delayed Ejaculation
Maca Root (Lepidium meyenii) - Herbal Delayed Ejaculation Treatment and Reproductive Health Herb
We’ve already talked about maca root for increasing male libido and general sexual health, but here we’ll focus specifically on how this herbal medicine can treat delayed ejaculation. This Peruvian superfood has been known to increase testosterone levels, balance moods, improve mental and emotional well being, reduce prostate enlargement, and improve sperm parameters. Though there aren’t many studies that have directly studied maca root in regard to delayed ejaculation, there are some studies that suggest it’s an effective treatment for various kinds of erectile dysfunction, likely including delayed/inhibited ejaculation.Yellow maca root is a good choice for budget-conscious individuals since it has the broadest spectrum of action. However, red maca root has the unique benefit of being able to reduce prostate size, and black maca root has been studied specifically in regard to its benefits in supporting male sexual and reproductive health. For the treatment of delayed ejaculation, in this author’s opinion based on other research, black maca root may be the best choice.
Thai Black Ginger (Kaempferia parviflora) - Herb that Decreases Ejaculatory Latency
Ejaculation latency is a formal term for the amount of time that it takes for a man to climax and ejaculate. On average, a man’s latency time is around 4-10 minutes depending on age and other factors. In men with delayed ejaculation, this latency time increases to 30+ minutes. While there are often multiple factors involved with an increased latency time, as we’ve discussed previously, there are some herbal remedies that have been shown to target delayed ejaculation through decreasing latency time. Thai Black Ginger and some of the other herbs on this list are known for their ability to decrease ejaculatory latency.Kaempferia parviflora (which is also known as Thai ginseng, Thai black ginger, or locally as krachai dum) is a plant related to ginger, turmeric, and other Zingerberceae family plants. It is native to Southeast Asia, where it has a traditional history of being used as a medicine for male sexual and reproductive problems. One study observed that administration of an alcohol-based extract of Kempferia parviflora was able to decrease the ejaculatory latency period in mice, and that it may also increase blood flow to the testes.
Zoapatle / Cihuapatli (Montanoa tomentosa) - A Pro-Ejaculatory Herb
Montanoa tomentosa is an important remedy in traditional Mexican medicine; in local cultures, this herb has a long history of use as a treatment for male sexual dysfunction, reproductive and sexual disorders in both genders, and as a way to start menstruation or labor in women (through similar mechanisms that help it kickstart labor, Zoapatle is also used to induce abortions and slow postpartum bleeding).Studies have demonstrated that Montanoa tomentosa acts as an aphrodisiac by stimulating sexual interest and behavior. In the treatment of delayed ejaculation, Cihuapatli also works with the spinal cord and stimulates the release of oxytocin in order to simulate ejaculation. Therefore, men who are aware that their delayed ejaculation may have something to do with their nerves or their spinal cord directly may benefit specifically from treatment with Montanoa tomentosa. Follow the dosing instructions on the product you choose.
Damiana (Turnera diffusa)
This is another traditional Mexican plant with historical use in local cultures as an aphrodisiac and treatment for both male and female sexual dysfunctions. One animal study using damiana on sexually exhausted rats was able to show that this herb increased the percentage of male rats who ejaculated during intercourse. As an adaptogen, damiana may also have special benefits for men struggling with delayed ejaculation due to stress or emotional/mental factors.Damiana can be taken over the long term at a dose of 500mg daily (minimum) or even up to 4g (4000mg) daily taken with meals. It is available in capsulized form, as a powder, a tea, or as an extract. All of these options can be effective, so choose which one feels right for you.
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for Delayed Ejaculation, Retrograde Ejaculation, and General Improvements of Sperm Parameters
Acupuncture is becoming a more popular therapy for men and women who are struggling to conceive. This Traditional Chinese therapy has been in use for thousands of years as a treatment for not only male and female infertility, but also for reproductive organ diseases and disorders (again, in both men and women), problems relating to mental and emotional health, autoimmune disease, cancer, and much more. Because acupuncture is customized to each clients’ individual health situation, it can be a good way to target various causes of male infertility at the same time and in a holistic way.Delayed ejaculation can be caused by physical factors or by emotional/mental factors, or often a combination of the two. Acupuncture can treat both causes. Studies have shown that acupuncture, when administered by an experienced, knowledgeable practitioner, can improve sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology in addition to being an effective treatment for retrograde ejaculation and other fertility-inhibiting conditions like varicoceles and the presence of anti-sperm antibodies. When combined with Traditional Chinese herbal medicines, acupuncture has been proven to improve blood flow to the testicles and balance/increase the appropriate hormones (such as testosterone).
Some of these Traditional Chinese herbal medicines that are effective in the treatment of male infertility include red peony root, astragalus root, Poria fungus, schisandra fruit, licorice root, epimedium, and others.
Men who choose to receive acupuncture/herbal medicine treatments for the treatment of delayed ejaculation or other fertility issues should plan to receive treatment at least once a week for a few months. In some of the most successful studies, treatments were administered twice a week for at least 6 weeks. Other studies have also shown that electroacupuncture (which involves the administration of slight electrical pulses through the acupuncture needles) combined with herbal medicines may be more effective than regular acupuncture by itself.
Traditional Chinese Medicine for Antisperm Antibodies
Some men may have antisperm antibodies present in their semen or blood that actively seek out and destroy or damage sperm cells. One study showed that treatment with a specific Chinese herbal medicine known as Huzhangdanshenyin successfully decreased the presence of these antisperm antibodies in both semen and blood, and also improved sperm density, morphology, motility, and vitality. This particular study not only acknowledged that Huzhangdanshenyin is an effective treatment for antisperm antibodies, but also that it’s a more effective treatment than prednisolone, a steroid drug that’s often prescribed for this condition.Hypnotherapy, Constellation Therapy, and Sacred Indigenous Medicines for Delayed Ejaculation
In cases where delayed ejaculation is caused by psychological or emotional causes, treatments such as hypnotherapy, constellation therapy, or sacred indigenous medicines like Ayahuasca may be beneficial.Hypnotherapy, for example, works with the patient’s subconscious mind to help resolve emotions, thoughts, or past experiences that may interfere with his ability to ejaculate during sexual encounters. Being able to release or understand these hidden thoughts and feelings can often be enough to solve the problem of delayed ejaculation; keep in mind that some men experience relief immediately, while others may require a few hypnotherapy sessions to completely understand and resolve their situation. There are hypnotherapists who work with a broad range of issues, as well as those who specialize in helping couples with fertility issues.
Constellation therapy works on issues having to do with the family and the “Knowing Field” (a term coined by Bert Hellinger to describe the complex and intimate way that family members and ancestors are all connected to each other throughout time). Since having a baby, of course, deals with the continuation of two individuals’ lineages as well as the starting of a new family unit, the act of trying to conceive is intimately intertwined with a man’s and his partner’s experiences in their families of origin, as well as their own unique family histories. A man who experiences delayed ejaculation may feel that his problem is caused somehow by concerns around having a child, being a parent, or around his relationship with his partner or other children he may already have. Constellation Therapy can help resolve some of these concerns and rebalance the Knowing Field. Again, some people experience immediate results, other people require a few sessions, and either way, it sometimes takes time for the effects of a Constellation Therapy session to be felt and seen.
Sacred indigenous medicines include those such as Ayahuasca, Iboga, Psilocybin mushrooms, Sapito, Kambo, and others. These medicines are unique in that 1) they’re extremely powerful, and 2) they work holistically with both the mind and the body. Some men may have both psychological as well as physiological factors involved in delayed ejaculation; many of these sacred indigenous medicines can work powerfully with both of these factors.
Read more about Kambo as a treatment for infertility and other health problems at this link.
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