Acupuncture can help men suffering from premature ejaculation, say British researchers. They found that a variety of alternative methods were of significant benefit, including acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Ayurvedic herbs, and a Korean topical cream. According to the researchers, these methods would be beneficial for men who have to wait longer to see their doctor. During the study, the researchers evaluated 10 randomized controlled trials comparing an alternative method or a placebo effect. Two of the studies involved acupuncture, five involved traditional Chinese medicine, one examined Ayurvedic herbs and two focused on a Korean topical cream. Both acupuncture studies found that the treatment slightly increased the time to ejaculation by half a minute compared to placebo. The Chinese herbal remedies had a slightly better effect, increasing the time by two minutes, the Ayurvedic herbs by nearly a minute, and the Korean topical cream by more than eight minutes. In some cases, a combination of traditional and alternative methods is most effective. NEWS_MORE_BOX Researchers explain that erectile dysfunction is a common condition that can significantly damage a man’s mental health as well as his relationship. It is difficult to determine the prevalence of premature ejaculation, because of the different definitions of the problem. Also, some men refuse to report the problem. According to some studies, between 20 and 30 percent of men report concerns about premature ejaculation, but according to the International Society of Sexual Medicine, about 4 percent of men experience the condition for the rest of their lives. The study data is published in the journal Sexual Medicine.