Does masturbation cause premature ejaculation?

I have a theory that premature ejaculation is related to masturbation. When you don't have a partner, you tend to want to achieve gratification very quickly. I don't know if this has been tested, but do you think there's a relationship?

A: Dr. Dean: Well, that's certainly reasonable. A lot of young men who are afraid of premature ejaculation will stimulate themselves before they go out on a date, to make themselves a little less responsive, to slow themselves down.

Self-stimulation is commonly used to treat premature ejaculation. The man learns to know his response and to practice control. Later he involves his partner in the stimulation, and then they go on to intercourse.

Some current studies I know about examine the relationships between masturbation, premature ejaculation, and circumcision. Men who are circumcised masturbate more then uncircumcised men, but both groups have a similar rate of premature ejaculation. Premature ejaculation problems seem to be a) age-related, and b) experience- and skill-related.

Dean Edell, M.D.