Premature ejaculation is when a man feels that he ejaculates too soon during sex. A study looked at 500 couples from five different countries and found that sex tends to last around five and a half minutes. However, this is highly variable and depends on what the couple feels is satisfying for both partners. Any man can experience premature ejaculation at one time or another. When it happens regularly, it can have an impact on the couple's relationship. We offer a discreet clinic in the pharmacy where you will have a consultation with the pharmacist who will assess your situation and provide the most suitable treatment. Treating premature ejaculation can prove challenging but most men who opt for treatment and persevere will end up having successful outcomes. There are a variety of treatments and techniques used to help treat premature ejaculation, such as topical anaesthetics containing lidocaine or prilocaine. These will reduce sensitivity in the penis, allowing for longer sex. A topical preparation containing both these anaesthetics is Emla Cream. Emla can be applied directly to the tip for the penis 30 minutes before sex to help numb sensation and prolong the time to ejaculation. Emla is a popular and effective treatment, however it can be inconvenient to apply. Dapoxetine (Priligy) is another popular treatment for premature ejaculation. It belongs to a group of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); unlike other medicines belonging to this group, Dapoxetine has been specifically formulated to treat premature ejaculation. Priligy is the first medication to be licensed to treat premature ejaculation in the UK. It is usually taken one to three hours before having sex. It is only advised to take one Priligy tablet per day. Priligy has the advantage that it is more discreet to use compared to Emla Cream. It is recommended that men wishing to try Priligy should begin treatment on the lower 30mg strength. The strength can then be increased next time if necessary depending on the response. It is important to note that Emla cream and Priligy tablets only treat the symptoms of premature ejaculation and do not address the cause. It is important to try to understand the cause of your premature ejaculation and tackle any issues that you have control over.