Myth busters: erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation

Reviewed by our clinical team

When it comes to these conditions, there are a few questions that often crop up.

People often wonder if excessive masturbation can cause premature ejaculation (PE), or whether certain types of food or ‘aphrodisiacs’ can help treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

Are PE and ED more common in people who are inexperienced?

There is some evidence, yes, because there’s always that element of nervousness and anxiety, both of which can lead to PE and ED. Perhaps the first time a man has sex there may well be some evidence of both of those conditions. But it is also important to remember some people experience premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction in relationships.

Does excessive masturbation cause premature ejaculation?

That theory isn’t actually true. In fact, one of the ways of treating premature ejaculation is by controlled masturbation.

Read more about the causes of premature ejaculation. 

Does stopping fancying your partner sexually lead to erectile dysfunction?

In long-term relationships that is very often the case. But it is important to remember, particularly once a man ages and gets past the age of 40, puts on a bit of weight, or has perhaps been smoking for a number of years, that physical factors can come into play as well. The factors can all contribute to men experiencing premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction in relationships.

However, there are a lot of theories regarding the psychological causes of premature ejaculation. These may relate to an adverse early sexual experience where there was a lot of pressure to get it over and done with as quickly as possible.

Read more about the causes of ED. 

Are there any particular foods you recommend to help with PE or ED, such as an aphrodisiac?

No – there isn’t actually any evidence at all to support aphrodisiacs. However, your diet can play a part in these conditions. A diet high in fats and cholesterol, as well as high alcohol consumption, will contribute to erectile dysfunction.

For more information on treating erectile dysfunction, visit our ED clinic. 

Do genetic problems tend to cause PE or ED?

Yes, particularly for the organic causes of ED – high cholesterol tends to run in families, as well as heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, and diabetes. There’s evidence that those conditions run in families, and they all contribute to erectile dysfunction.

Visit the ED and PE clinics to find out more about treatment options.