Five Premature Ejaculation (PE) Myths Busted

30 June, 2025  |  Jane Thomas - Marketing

Premature ejaculation (PE for short) is a relatively common condition, affecting roughly 20-30% of men at some point in their lives. But despite its prevalence, there's a lot of confusion and misinformation out there surrounding PE - and we're going to clear up some of that confusion today.

If you have PE and want to learn more about the realities of living with it and treating it, read on as we bust five common myths surrounding the condition. We'll also answer some more common questions about PE, tackling topics like Viagra, testosterone levels and even starting a family.

Myth 1: PE only affects younger, inexperienced men

This is completely untrue. The theory goes that young, sexually inexperienced men aren't able to control their orgasms as effectively, leading to issues with PE that eventually subside. Although this can happen, a Belgian study found that the prevalence rate of PE remained relatively stable all the way up to the age of 50 and beyond.

This is because PE can be caused by a variety of different factors, not just anxiety or inexperience. Just because you're of a certain age, doesn't mean you can't get PE - although it is less likely to occur over the age of 50, as erectile dysfunction (ED) becomes more common.

Myth 2: PE is a permanent condition

Although PE can be caused by genetic conditions (like high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure), it can be brought on by psychological factors too. Regardless of the reason behind PE, there's a lot that can be done to treat it.

Making lifestyle changes, consulting a therapist and seeking medical treatment are all viable ways to wave goodbye to PE for good.

Myth 3: PE is entirely separate from erectile dysfunction

You might think that PE and ED are caused by separate factors, since they have entirely opposing symptoms. But you'd be wrong.

According to one study, people with PE are four times more likely to develop ED later in life, partly due to their mental health and partly as a result of genetic conditions (as we mentioned earlier).

Far from being separate conditions, there's plenty of evidence to suggest that ED and PE are intertwined - but the good news is that they're both treatable.

Myth 4: Frequent masturbation can cause PE

Although many believe that excessive masturbation can lead to an individual developing PE, there's no scientific evidence to support this. In fact, masturbation can help people learn to control their orgasms better, preventing PE from occurring (or helping to treat it).

Myth 5: PE is a psychological issue, not a genetic one

As we've already mentioned, PE can be brought on by a variety of both mental and physical factors, some of which are often hereditary (like heart disease, high blood pressure and so on).

Regardless of whether PE is caused by mental or physical factors, there are plenty of treatment options to consider.

Answering some more common questions about PE

So, we've busted five of the most common PE myths - but we're not done yet! We've scoured the internet to find some more common queries people are searching for - and we've answered them all below.

Can your partner still get pregnant if you have premature ejaculation?

Yes, absolutely. You don't have to have sex for a specific amount of time in order to get your partner pregnant; provided you ejaculate, pregnancy is still a possibility.

Does Viagra stop premature ejaculation? 

Viagra is primarily intended as a treatment for erectile dysfunction, not premature ejaculation. Although there is some evidence to suggest it can help those suffering with PE, it's not guaranteed to be effective.

Is premature ejaculation normal? 

Somewhere between 20 and 30% of men experience PE at some point in their lives, so it's certainly not a rare condition - and it's not cause for immediate medical concern. However, if you do suffer from PE, you should still seek treatment.

Do you lose testosterone if you ejaculate?

No, you don't lose testosterone when you ejaculate - and there's no link between frequent ejaculations and conditions like PE.

Does premature ejaculation contain sperm? 

Pre-ejaculatory fluid can contain small quantities of sperm. And if you suffer from PE, your semen will still contain the same amount of sperm as someone without PE too - meaning you can still get your female partner pregnant.

Can a woman cause premature ejaculation?

Not directly, no. However, there is evidence to suggest that relationship issues (and the stress and anxiety that often come with them) can contribute to conditions like PE and ED. As always, the best approach is to communicate openly with your partner and work on resolving things together.

Explore our range of PE and ED treatments online today

Want to put PE behind you and move forward with your sex life? Our range of PE treatments is here to help you get your confidence back - and there's no need for a face-to-face consultation to get started. Simply select a treatment, complete our quick and easy online form and you're all set.