London - A new treatment that heats up nerves in the pelvis could treat premature ejaculation.
The therapy, which is undergoing trials in the US, works by deactivating the nerve that transmits pleasure signals to the brain during sex.
Under a local anaesthetic, a small, hollow needle is inserted into the pelvis until it reaches the dorsal penile nerve, which controls sensitivity and connects with the spinal cord to relay signals to the brain.
A tiny electrode is fed through the needle. At the press of a button, a low-level current is passed through the electrode to heat the nerve and partially destroy it.
This reduces its ability to transmit messages to the brain during sex, allowing men to last longer in the bedroom.
The aim of the treatment, being trialled on 22 men at University Hospitals Case Medical Centre, Ohio, is to cause just enough damage to the nerve to delay ejaculation, without destroying its ability to transmit pleasure signals.
But it is likely to need repeating after a few months as the nerve can repair damage.
One in four men in Britain suffers premature ejaculation. Those affected last an average 1.8 minutes during sex, compared with a national average of 7.3 minutes.
The cause is a mystery. Some research suggests it may have a genetic element, but it is also linked to psychological issues. Treatments include relaxation techniques and anti-depressants to tackle anxiety.
The new technique - called radio-frequency nerve ablation - is used in the treatment of severe back pain (heating up nerves in the spine).
Now the US team behind the latest trial hope for similar success with the treatment of premature ejaculation. Dr John Dean, former president of the International Society for Sexual Medicine, welcomed the trial.
But he stressed previous attempts to banish premature ejaculation by surgically severing the dorsal penile nerve had caused controversy.
“Men lost a lot of their sexual sensation and pleasure and many were not able to get erections at all,” he said.
“This new treatment is less drastic because it is not killing off the nerve completely, but heating it to reduce the sensation.
“The question is whether they can do enough damage for it to work without causing any permanent problems.” - Daily Mail