Premature Ejaculation: Causes and Treatment
Common Health Issues

Premature Ejaculation: Causes and Treatment

Premature ejaculation is a condition were when sexual activity is about to start, a man is so excited that he orgasms immediately upon beginning the sexual act.

Premature ejaculation is different from erectile dysfunction but they are connected. Erectile dysfunction is when a man cannot consistently maintain an erection long enough to have sexual intercourse. All men are bound to have problems maintaining a hard penis from time to time and the problem increases with age.

 

CAUSES OF PREMATURE EJACULATION

There have been many things listed as the causes of premature ejaculation but recent scientific research discovered a gland in the body that is the source of premature ejaculation and other sexual performance issues.

This unassuming little gland may be in the captain’s seat of male libido. This gland is the thyroid

 

THYROID GLAND

The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland located at the base of the neck on both sides of the windpipe below the voice box. 

The thyroid gland produces the hormone called Thyroxine, which regulates the speed of chemical reactions and influences the rate of growth and the development of sexual characteristics. The activity of the thyroid gland itself is regulated by a hormone secreted by the Pituitary Gland.

Thyroxine contains iodine, and the thyroid gland cannot produce thyroxine unless you eat a diet that contains a small amount of iodine. These hormones circulate and control the metabolic rate of cells. Thyroid problems can affect every part of the body because thyroid hormones affect every cell.

 

THYROID AND PREMATURE EJACULATION

Researchers recently conducted a review of the best studies looking at thyroid function in relation to sexual dysfunction.

They found a clear relationship between thyroid problems and sexual dysfunction -- including penile limpness and premature ejaculation.

These researchers carried out the study at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and published their results in Sexual Medicine Review.

Sexual dysfunction is a widespread problem. According to research, it may affect more than 50% of men.

“33‒60% of women report sexual dysfunction and 8‒52% of men [suffer from] erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation.”

A number of studies have looked into the effect of thyroid hormones on sexual function.

“The effect of thyroid hormone derangement has been of recent interest.”

This study looked at the relationship between thyroid hormones and sexual dysfunction in both men and women.

The researchers collected information from some of the best studies on the subject.

They gathered information on both low thyroid (hypothyroidism) and high thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

Literature was reviewed to examine the effects of hypo- and hyperthyroidism on sexual function.

 

THYROID GLAND ISSUES

The term hypothyroidism refers to inadequate production of thyroxine. Early diagnosis is vitally important so that treatment with thyroid hormone may prevent severe retardation. A partial lack of thyroid hormone in later childhood will also cause physical underdevelopment if treatment is not begun with thyroid hormone, extract or synthetic substitutes.

In fully developed adult, severe hypothyroidism (low thyroid) causes weight gain, puffy skin, excessive fatigue, dry hair, hair loss and other serious effects. All these symptoms may be reversed by regular treatment

While hyperthyroidism refers to excess production of thyroxine. People with this condition are nervous, irritable and suffer from insomnia. Heat makes them very uncomfortable. The excess secretion of thyroxine also produces heart palpitations that people frequently mistake for a true cardiac attack. Another symptom is loss of weight—in spite of the increased hunger that usually accompanies this illness. When severe, hyperthyroidism often causes the eye to protrude or bulge.

 

THYROID GLAND TREATMENT OPTIONS

For many years the only treatment for hyperthyroidism was surgery, in which up to 90 percent of the gland was removed. Today, combination of drugs can help control excessively active thyroid hormone production or where necessary, radioactive iodine can be used to lessen activity of the gland or make it completely inactive.

The most widely used test to determine thyroid function is the PBI (protein-bound iodine) test. This is a laboratory test for which a small sample of a person’s blood is required.

Another test involves measuring the rate at which the body uses oxygen. In another test, the amount of iodine taken up by the thyroid gland is measured by administering radioactive iodine

The result of this scientific research showed that men with either abnormally high or low levels of thyroid hormones suffered more sexual dysfunction.

“Men with hypo- and hyperthyroidism have increased rates of sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction in men with hypothyroidism.”

Hypothyroidism (low thyroid) seemed particularly closely tied to penile limpness. Abnormally high levels of thyroid hormones can be treated with thyroid-blocking treatments.

Abnormally low levels of thyroid hormone are treated with supplementary thyroid hormones.

Men receiving proper medication for thyroid dysfunction have improved sexual function.

“In both men with hyper- and hypothyroidism, treating the thyroid disorder at least partially reverses sexual dysfunction.”

The balance of evidence shows that thyroid problems can cause sexual problems for men.

Improving thyroid function can reverse sexual dysfunction, such as premature ejaculation or penile limpness.

“Evidence suggests a reversibility of sexual dysfunction with correction of thyroid dysfunction.”

The researchers are not exactly sure how or why this happens.

“The exact pathophysiology of thyroid mediated sexual dysfunction remains unknown.”

Well, thyroid hormones affect every cell -- so thyroid dysfunction can affect every part of the body.

Thyroid dysfunction can include changes to the thyroid hormone levels. Thyroid dysfunction can also lead to increased antibodies to the thyroid gland. The link between thyroid dysfunction and sexual function in men is related to the thyroid hormones only.

This means it is a much simpler problem to fix than if it were related to the antibodies.

“Current evidence supports thyroid derangements rather than autoantibodies as the causative factor in men.”

Doctors often only do a rudimentary examination that looks at the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels.

It is important that the thyroid hormone levels are properly tested too because just doing the TSH levels sometimes does not give accurate results.

A full thyroid hormone panel should also include T3, T4, and reverse T3. For some people, diet and lifestyle changes can improve thyroid function. Other people need treatments from their doctor.

 

LIFESTYLE AND DIET SOLUTIONS TO PREMATURE EJACULATION

Certain diet and lifestyle changes can be adopted to boost your thyroid function and overcome premature ejaculation. 

With regards to lifestyle and diet changes, the aim is for you to have sufficient nutrients that improve body functions and to reduce the level of stress you go through. 

A vital nutrient for good Thyroid function is Iodine so ensure to consume foods rich in Iodine such as shrimps, eggs, carrot, seaweed, tuna, iodized salt etc.

You must also be actively reducing your stress levels. Stress induces a hormone in the body called cortisol 

You see, in addition to having a healthy thyroid, a man’s libido and sexual prowess relies on male androgens like testosterone and DHT (Dihydrotestosterone)staying high. But to keep testosterone and DHT levels high, men must keep prolactin and cortisol levels low.

Testosterone and cortisol are crucial hormones for men. A little cortisol in the body is good but too much cortisol creates problems for the body.

Testosterone protects muscle mass, mental sharpness, and virility.

Higher levels of cortisol are associated with abdominal obesity, type 2 diabetes, and all manner of other chronic illnesses.

In almost every case, men should aim for a higher testosterone to cortisol ratio.

One of the factors that affects this ratio is diet.

You might think that a diet higher in protein would be better because it can help you build muscle.

But research has shown that a high-carbohydrate diet is better for testosterone and cortisol levels.

These researchers carried out human experiments at The Rockefeller University Hospital, New York, NY, USA. The journal Life Sciences published the results.

Just three micronutrients make up all of the calories that people eat…

They are protein, carbohydrate, and fat.

This study looked at the effect of two of these micronutrients (protein and carbohydrate) on the hormones testosterone and cortisol.

“The aim of this study was to determine if a change in protein/carbohydrate ratio influences plasma steroid hormone concentrations.”

The study recruited seven healthy men in their 20s, 30s, and 40s.

“…seven men between 22 and 43 years of age, all of whom were normal by clinical laboratory tests, volunteered for this study.”

All of the participants went through two different experiments.

The only difference between the experiments was the amount of carbohydrate and protein in their diets.

The first diet was a high-protein diet where 44% of the calories came from protein.

“In this diet 44% of total calories were protein, 35% were carbohydrate, and 21% were fat.”

For the second diet, they reduced the protein to 10% and increased the carbohydrate content to 70%.

“In this diet 10% of total calories were protein, 70% were carbohydrate, and 20% were fat.”

The diets were designed so that they would both be identical in terms of caloric intake and the amount of fat.

“The diets were equal in total calories and fat.”

The men were put on each diet for 10 days.

At the end of the 10-day diet experiment, the researchers took blood every two hours for 12 hours -- testing for testosterone and cortisol levels over the course of the day.

Testosterone was much higher after the high-carbohydrate diet.

“Testosterone concentrations in seven normal men were consistently higher after ten days on a high carbohydrate diet.”

Average testosterone levels on the high-protein diet were 371.

The average testosterone level increased to 468 on the high-carbohydrate diet.

The researchers found even greater improvements in cortisol levels. Cortisol was much lower on the high-carbohydrate diet compared to the high-protein diet.

“Cortisol concentrations were consistently lower during the high carbohydrate diet than during the high protein diet.”

The average cortisol level with the high-protein diet was 10.6. It dropped down to 7.7 on the high-carb diet.

When calories remain the same, the high-carbohydrate diet had much better effects on hormones than the high-protein diet.

“These consistent and reciprocal changes suggest that the ratio of protein to carbohydrate in the human diet is an important regulatory factor for steroid hormone plasma levels.”

To improve your testosterone to cortisol level, get healthy carbohydrates into your body from food sources like corn, rice, banana, sweet potatoes etc.

 

TESTOSTERONE BOOSTING NUTRIENT

Low testosterone and high cortisol are identified in many of the chronic diseases that affect men. Going with the dietary research recommendation shown above, you can achieve a better testosterone to cortisol level in your body.

To further improve this ratio, you can take steps to boost your testosterone levels higher.

And to boost your testosterone levels, you need a critical dietary nutrient called Magnesium

Magnesium deficiency is very common in men.

Magnesium lowers the risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. People who eat a diet high in magnesium have less body fat. In addition, magnesium decreases anxiety and lowers psychological stress levels.

Magnesium is even proven to increase testosterone.

In fact, there are quite a few studies looking at the effect of magnesium on testosterone in men…

But most of these studies are on young guys.

One study looked at the relationship between magnesium and testosterone in older men.

And that study shows that the relationship between magnesium and testosterone does not depend on age.

These researchers did human research at the Department of Internal Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Parma, in Italy. The International Journal of Andrology published the results.

The average level of testosterone declines with age.

And lower levels of testosterone increase the risk of disease and sexual problems.

“The age-associated decline of testosterone is a strong predictor of metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and mortality in older men.”

We know from previous research that magnesium can boost testosterone levels in young men.

“4 weeks of magnesium supplementation increase testosterone levels in healthy sedentary and young male athletes.”

But there is very little research on magnesium and testosterone in older men.

“No study has investigated the relationship between magnesium levels and testosterone in older populations.”

This study investigated the effect of dietary magnesium on testosterone levels in older men.

The researchers used information from a study of 399 men over the age of 65. This was part of a larger study that took place in Italy.

The researchers used this data set because it had information on both testosterone levels and magnesium.

“We evaluated 399 ≥65-year-old men in a study population with complete data on testosterone and serum magnesium levels.”

The researchers used statistical analysis to understand the relationship between magnesium and testosterone levels.

The average age of the study participants was 74 years old.

“Mean age of the population was 74 (age range 65-92).”

The data proved an association between higher magnesium levels and higher testosterone in older men.

“Magnesium was positively associated with total testosterone.”

And the researchers performed another statistical analysis.

In this calculation, they took into account many other factors that could affect testosterone levels.

The secondary analysis also showed a very strong correlation between testosterone and magnesium.

“After further adjustment [for a variety of factors], the relationship between magnesium and total testosterone remained strong and highly significant.”

The study shows that magnesium is very likely to increase testosterone levels in men of all ages.

Magnesium is also associated with another hormone called IGF-I.

And both IGF-I and testosterone increase muscle mass…

They are anabolic hormones.

“In a cohort of older men, magnesium levels are strongly and independently associated with the anabolic hormones testosterone and IGF-1.”

Muscle size and function decline with age.

But it is also partly determined by magnesium status.

“In older persons, serum magnesium concentration is an independent correlate of muscle performance.”

The researchers called for further investigation into the topic. They want to see research that looks at the effect of magnesium supplementation in older men.

“There is a need for longitudinal and intervention studies to assess whether magnesium supplementation is a valid strategy to slow down the decline in anabolic hormones observed in older men.”

Magnesium is a very well-studied dietary nutrient.

We already know our bodies need it for hundreds of different processes.

Supplemental magnesium is regarded as very safe for most people. Short-term gastrointestinal upset is the most common side effect of too much magnesium.

You can get magnesium in your diet by eating leafy greens, bananas, some fish, avocados, and dark chocolate -- among other yummy foods.

 

Would you like to learn how to use healthy eating to prevent diet-related illnesses?

 

This free online Introduction to Human Nutrition course will give you a broad insight into nutrition and help you make wise choices when it comes to the food you eat every day. These days, health problems such as obesity, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are becoming more and more common. By the end of this course, you will understand the role nutrition plays in personal health and be able to create a healthy diet for yourself. Learn more and register for the course here

REFERENCES

Effect of Thyroid Hormone Derangements on Sexual Function in Men and Women by Bates JN, Kohn TP and Pastuszak AW

 Diet-hormone interactions: protein/carbohydrate ratio alters reciprocally the plasma levels of testosterone and cortisol and their respective binding globulins in man by Anderson KE, Rosner W, Khan MS et al

Magnesium and anabolic hormones in older men by Maggio M, Ceda GP et al

The associations between serum sex hormones, erectile function and sex drive: The Olmsted county study of urinary symptoms and health status among men by Naomi M. Gades, Debra J. Jacobson et al

Serum ionized magnesium and calcium and sex hormones in healthy young men: importance of serum progesterone level by B M Altura, B T Altura et al

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Rich Health Editorial Team

Health Research

Rich Health Editorial Team is made up of medical practitioners and experienced writers who provide information for dealing with health issues in a simple and easy-to-understand manner