Study Reveals Characteristics of Premature Ejaculation ( PE )

The Premature Ejaculation ( PE ) Prevalence and Attitudes (PEPA) Internet survey asked 12,133 men from the United States, Germany and Italy information about whether or not they experienced premature ejaculation, its frequency, and other conditions that may be present with the condition. In addition, researchers determined that willingness to seek professional assistance through physicians or therapists for premature ejaculation ( PE ) was low, as success rate of any prescribed treatments.

The definition that researchers used for the survey came from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, edition 4 (DSV-IV). It states that premature ejaculation ( PE ) is “persistent or recurrent ejaculation with minimal sexual stimulation, before, on, or shortly after penetration, and before the person wishes it, with the disturbance causing marked distress or interpersonal difficulty.” This definition, and others like it, suggests that there is more than one cause of premature ejaculation ( PE ) and more than one treatment option.

This study asked men between 18 and 70 years of age to participate in an online survey. Two previously existing online communities were used to allow men to “opt in” to participate in the study’s web portal and online community. After joining, men were sent a confidential email asking them to participate in the survey. There were incentives for participation.

The survey consisted of 82 questions. All men responding to the survey answered the first 54 questions. Men who self-reported premature ejaculation ( PE ) or who did not report premature ejaculation, yet wanted to prolong ejaculation latency, were given the remainder of the items. These remaining questions consisted of general health and sex issues, demographics, and attitudes toward medical intervention.

The results consisted of 8,009 men from the United States; 2,433 from Germany; and 1,691 from Italy. These results mirrored census data from their respective countries. Overall, the mean age of men in the study was 41.59 ± 13.57 years and 80.5% were currently involved in a sexual relationship. In addition, 63.1% were married or living with a partner; 91% were heterosexual and 9% were homosexual. (NOTE: Previous surveys of premature ejaculation excluded homosexual men, although this survey included them.)

The study reported an incidence rate of premature ejaculation of 22.7%. This percentage varied slightly by country with 24.0% in the United States, 20.3% in Germany, and 20.0% in Italy. Almost half (49.6%) of men who reported premature ejaculation indicated that it had been present since they first began having sex. The remainder indicated that the condition had developed recently (34.6%) or had been present, went away, and then returned (15.8%). Men were not asked to measure ejaculation latency with a stopwatch, although 25.8% reported latency of ≤2 minutes.

Men with premature ejaculation did indicate several health issues that they were also experiencing. These included erectile dysfunction (16.4%), anorgasmia, low libido, depression, anxiety, and excessive stress. When the men who also reported erectile dysfunctions were factored out of the analysis, the amount of men who also had problems relating to high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease decreased significantly. Overall, men with premature ejaculation ( PE ) were less healthy (35.6% felt their health was “excellent” or “very good”), yet they did not agree that their condition could be contributed to medical factors. Only 7.2% indicated that medical conditions could be a cause or contributing factor to premature ejaculation.

Men were more likely to either self-medicate with alcohol (41.2%) or recreational drugs (15.6%) than they were to ask their physician for pharmacological treatments (12.9%), despite the fact that many men (59.9%) knew that there were approved treatment medications for premature ejaculation. Other techniques that men had used to treat premature ejaculation at home included masturbation, having sex frequently, concentrating on other issues during sex, “interrupted stimulation,” and different positions during intercourse. A small number, 9.0%, had consulted a physician, and only 4.2% had consulted a sex therapist/psychologist for premature ejaculation. In fact, 52.2% never considered discussing the issue with a physician, while the ones who had consulted a doctor primarily made the appointment for another reason (69.5%). Those who had received medical or psychological treatment were dissatisfied with the results, 91.5% and 95.9%, respectively. Men were generally reluctant to discuss sexual issues with their physician (68.6%), were embarrassed, or felt that medication would not help their circumstances. Some were afraid that they would become dependent on medication in order to perform sexually or that they had “learned to live with it.”

Source:
Porst, Hartmut, et. al. “The Premature Ejaculation Prevalence and Attitudes (PEPA) Survey: Prevalence, Comorbidities, and Professional Help-Seeking.” European Urology, (2006), Article in Press.

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