Premature ejaculation diminishes sexual satisfaction
At the 28th Annual European As- sociation of Urology (EAU) Congress in Milan, Europe’s largest urology event with over 100 countries participating and over 14,000 visitors, healthcare professionals were urged to consider the impact of premature ejaculation (PE) on both men and their partners.
During a symposium at the EAU Congress sponsored by Menarini Group, entitled “Premature ejaculation treatment: New perspectives for the couple,” the following topics were discussed: PE as more than just a male sexual dysfunction, the diagnosis and treatment of PE in daily practice, and the on-demand treatment of PE with dapoxetine.
PE is the most common sexual dysfunction among men and is characterized by difficulty in controlling ejaculation. The consequences of PE are perceived to affect only men. However, studies have shown that PE also affects his partner when it decreases the couple’s sexual satisfaction.
With one in three men having some form of PE as determined by the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), the impact of PE on relationships needs to be brought to the forefront.
Dr. Massimo Notari, head of medical and scientific management at Menarini International, said, “The impact of PE extends beyond the man. It is a couple’s problem. When a man is unable to control ejaculation, it directly impacts sexual satisfaction for the couple and results in a loss of intimacy and a feeling that something important is missing in the relationship. Given that PE is the most common sexual dysfunction in men, it deserves greater attention so that men and their partners feel comfortable seeking treatment from their physicians.”
Impact of PE on relationships
With a healthy sex life being an essential component of a successful relationship, a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2012 found that almost 60 percent of respondents in the Asia-Pacific who have some form of PE were dissatisfied with their sexual relationships.
Similarly, another study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine a few years ago revealed that only 38.3 percent of partners of men with PE issues reported they were “satisfied” with their sexual relationships, whereas 90 percent of partners of men without PE issues reported they were “satisfied.”
A similar study conducted in Korea, where 27 percent of men are affected by PE, found that men experiencing PE showed lower libido, lower sexual satisfaction for themselves and their partners, and lower frequency of sexual intercourse, as compared with men without PE.
Professor Sung Won Lee, of the Department of Urology, Sungkyunkwan University’s School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, and chairman of the Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology, said, “In Korea, as in Asia-Pacific overall, men with PE desire an improvement in sexual satisfaction in their relationships. It is important to keep in mind that for PE, it is not only the man who is affected, but also his partner. If PE is treated successfully and the man is able to control ejaculation, he and his partner will enjoy a better quality of life.”
Professor Ganesh Adaikan, co-investigator of the 2012 Asian study on PE and clinical sexologist at the National University Hospital Women’s Center in Singapore, agreed, saying, “PE can be devastating for couples. When men have PE, it makes it difficult for them to have a good quality of life that includes a satisfying sexual relationship. Effective treatment is available to help them gain better control over ejaculation. We need to raise awareness of PE so that men and their partners no longer feel stigmatized and are encouraged to take action.”
As demonstrated by its support for the symposium at the 28th Annual EAU Congress, Menarini is committed to raising awareness of PE, which is under-detected, under-diagnosed and under-treated. The effective treatment of PE can improve control over ejaculation and increase sexual satisfaction and overall quality of life for both men and their partners.