Premature ejaculation is a common condition (Picture: Getty)
A man who suffered premature ejaculation (PE) for two years was found to have a spinal cyst pressing on the nerves controlling his penis.
PE is relatively common, with around a third of men thought to be affected at some point in their lives. The condition is defined by the NHS as ejaculation within one minute of sexual intercourse.
The causes of PE are varied, and can be linked to physical issues, such as hormone levels, or psychological factors, such as stress or anxiety over performance.
However, in the case of one 32-year-old man, the cause was found to be something known as a Tarlov cyst near the base of his spine.
The patient went to see his doctor when the condition was becoming worse, also resulting in pain in his pelvis and during ejaculation.
In addition, he experienced a phenomenon known as priapism, which results in prolonged erections without stimulation.
Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate, doctors discovered the cyst – a fluid-filled sac – around the start of his sacral vertebrae, the row of fused vertebrae near the base of the spine.
The spine is made up of different sections of vertebrae (Picture: Getty)
The location of the cyst meant it was pressing on the man’s sacral nerves where they emerged from the spinal column. The sacral nerves control movement in the pelvic regions and lower limbs, and bladder, bowel and sexual functions among others.
Given the man was experiencing pain and PE, doctors decided to operate and remove the cyst, which is otherwise harmless.
What is a Tarlov cyst?
Cysts are pockets or sacs of fluid that can be found all over the body. Cysts themselves are generally benign, but their location can sometimes cause problems.
In the case of Tarlov cysts, they are found most commonly around the base of the spine, where nerves emerge from the spinal column.
They can be caused by inflammation or trauma among other causes, but often cause no symptoms.
However, due to their location and potential symptoms, they can often be misdiagnosed as a slipped disc.
After it was removed, the team reported both the PE and pain around the pelvis was ‘significantly relieved’.
Writing in the journal Archives Of Sexual Behaviour, the authors said that nerve symptoms are ‘often ignored during diagnosis and treatment’, and that doctors should be aware of potential physical causes of PE in otherwise healthy males who have recently developed the condition.
They concluded that if a cyst is present, as in their case study, removing it may help.