Premature ejaculation could be passed to men genetically, scientists say

It can leave men feeling like a failure in the bedroom and damage even the strongest marriages.

The problem of premature ejaculation has long been linked with psychological issues - but now scientists say it could be something that is inherited.

Researchers have found men for whom sex is over all too quickly are more likely to have a genetic abnormality.

Problems with premature ejaculation could be inherited: Scientists have found that a genetic abnormality can affect levels of a chemical in the brain. (Posed by models)



These men carried a defect in a gene that controls the release of dopamine, a chemical ' neurotransmitter' that plays a crucial role in everything from movement and attention span to the brain's perception of pleasure and reward.

The researchers in Sweden and Finland believe drugs that boost dopamine levels in the brain could be a new way of treating a condition that affects one in four men in the UK.

As far back as the 1970s, researchers noted that dopamine-based drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease had an aphrodisiac effect on some patients.

But until now, most experts agreed premature ejaculation was probably linked with psychological issues - such as difficulty relaxing during sex.



Treatments usually involve relaxation techniques, although doctors do sometimes prescribe anti-depressants to control anxiety.



The latest study, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, suggests the problem may be passed down through the generations.



Experts looked at almost 1,300 men aged between 18 and 45 and asked each one on how long they were usually able to last during sex. They also took saliva samples to test for defects in a dopamine transporter gene, called DAT1.



The results showed that men with a slightly different form of the gene were much more likely to suffer from premature ejaculation.



In a report on their findings, scientists said: 'The results of this study indicate that drugs directly affecting dopamine levels may be candidates for treatment.'