Special Report
Figure 4: ‘What Motivated You/your Partner to Look for Information about PE?’
PE men (sub sample) ‘What motivated you...?’
Wanted to better sexually satify partner Wanted to increase my own pleasure during sex
Was concerned about the impact PE was having on overall relationship
PE was having an impact on my self-esteem Didn’t want to feel embarassed anymore Read about this topic Learnt there were treatments
Concerns about underlying medical condition Partner asked to seek help
Met right person for relationship, wanted to resolve
Don’t know 0 25 50 75 50 25
PE men who have looked for information: What motivated you to look for information about PE? PE parters whose partner has looked for information: What motivated your parter to look for information about PE? Q5.2b/c Base: Q5.2b PE men n=453, partners n=211/Q5.2c PE men n=431, partners n=268
PE = premature ejaculation.
(9%). More men with PE were satisfied with prescription medicines (35%) than with condoms and/or topical treatments (19%), physical or behavioural techniques (17%) and non-prescription medicines (16%).
Discussing Premature Ejaculation and Information Sources
Overall, 49% of men with PE and 34% of partners of men with PE had looked for information about the condition. Of these, 75 and 71%, respectively, had used the internet as an information source.
Of the general population, 64% said they would look for information if they were confronted with PE.
Eighty-four per cent of the general population said they would speak to someone if they experienced or were with someone who experienced PE, whereas only 47% of men with and 30% of partners with PE had spoken to someone about it (both p<0.01 versus the general population). Of those who had spoken to someone, 71 and 84%, respectively, had spoken to their partner; 21 and 16% had seen a general practitioner; 8 and 6% had seen a therapist; and 7 and 1% had consulted a specialist. The main reasons to look for information or to speak to someone were to improve sex and because of concern about the impact of PE on the couple’s relationship (see Figures 4 and 5).
Overall, 85% of men with PE had never consulted a healthcare professional (HCP) about it. Nearly half (48%) of those suffering due to PE were too embarrassed to consult a HCP. Of the 15% who had spoken to a HCP, 74% had difficulty talking about their condition; 88% found the HCP open to discussing the problem; 60% were offered treatment; and 46% were referred to a specialist. Half (50%) of men with PE felt ‘better’ and 45% felt ‘the same’ after talking to a HCP.
Discussion
PE is a sexual health problem like any other and can be overcome successfully. Even in the 21st century where sex is often openly
1. Carson C, Gunn K, Premature ejaculation: definition and prevalence, Int J Impot Res, 2006;(18 Suppl. 1):S5–13.
2. Jannini EA, Carosa E, Pepe M, et al., Update on pathophysiology of premature ejaculation: the bases for new pharmacological treatments, EAU-EBU Update Series,
14 2006;4:141–9.
3. Porst H, Montorsi F, Rosen RC, et al., The Premature Ejaculation Prevalence and Attitudes (PEPA) survey: prevalence, comorbidities, and professional help-seeking, Eur Urol, 2007;51(3):816–23; discussion 824.
4. Rosen RC, Althof S, Impact of premature ejaculation: 0
17% 23% 26% 27%
9% Asked PE men only 10%
69% 60%
42% 45%
PE partner (sub sample) ‘What motivated your partner...?’
57%
37% 37% 34%
17% 13%
18% 16% 17%
Wanted to better sexually satify partner Wanted to increase my own pleasure during sex
Was concerned about the impact PE was having on overall relationship
PE was having an impact on my self-esteem Didn’t want to feel embarassed anymore Read about this topic Learnt there were treatments
Concerns about underlying medical condition Partner asked to seek help
Met right person for relationship, wanted to resolve
Don’t know 0 25 50 75 50 33%
14% 18% 24%
12% Asked PE men only 11% 12%
16% 17%
16% 25
PE men: What motivated you to speak to someone about PE? PE parters: What motivated your parter to to speak to someone about PE? 05.2b/c Base: Q5.2b PE men n=453, partners n=211/Q5.2c PE men n=431, partners n=268
PE = premature ejaculation.
discussed, particularly in Europe, PE remains a taboo subject. As this survey reveals, stigma is still very much associated with having PE. The negative impact of PE, not just on sex life but also on a person’s self-esteem, self-confidence and the consequent disruption within their relationship, can certainly prevent people from talking about – and ultimately taking action on – PE, as this survey clearly demonstrates. The European Sexual Health Alliance encourages any man who has PE or their partner to speak to a doctor or their local sexual health support group, who can provide trustworthy information and the right advice and support. The first step in dealing with PE is talking about it and the advice to men to overcome the hurdle of any type of sexual disorder is to talk about it, particularly with their partner. This can often be the first step in being able to find a solution to this sensitive and often awkward topic in order to help improve couples’ sex lives and the strength of their relationships.
Conclusions
‘PE Confidential’ demonstrates the intense and in many cases, long years of silent suffering that PE places on men with PE and their partners. The condition has a negative impact on the quality of sex life of men and the partners of men with PE. One in three men suffering from PE feel angry, ashamed or depressed because of it. Half of men with PE feel guilty and a failure due to the condition. A quarter of men said that the distress caused by PE made them feel less confident, even outside the bedroom.
The results of ‘PE Confidential’ also highlight the burden of the condition on the couple’s relationship and the reluctance of men to seek help, advice and treatment. Most men with PE believe that it is their fault and that little can be done about it; few men see PE as a medical condition. Stigma and embarrassment still prevent men from talking about PE and from seeking help and advice from a HCP. Despite this, talking about PE is the crucial first step in helping to deal with it. ‘PE Confidential’ demonstrates that although men with PE find it difficult to discuss their condition, talking to a HCP about PE is helpful. n
the psychological, quality of life, and sexual relationship consequences, J Sex Med, 2008;5:1296–307.
5. Revicki D, Howard K, Hanlon J, et al., Characterizing the burden of premature ejaculation from a patient and partner perspective: a multi-country qualitative analysis, Health Qual Life Outcomes, 2008;6:33.
0 41%
Figure 5: ‘What Motivated You/your Partner to Speak to Someone about PE?’
PE men (sub sample) ‘What motivated you...?’
PE partner (sub sample) ‘What motivated your partner...?’
66% 49% 51% 28% 37% 26% 12% 7% 12%
EUROPEAN UROLOGICAL REVIEW
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68