Education efforts help de-stigmatize one of the most common male sexual issues to impact couples

Singapore - 28 February 2013 – Menarini Asia-Pacific, as part of leading international biopharmaceutical company, Menarini Group, participated at this year's International Congress of Andrology (ICA) in Melbourne, Australia, to raise awareness of one of the most common male sexual dysfunctions – Premature Ejaculation (PE). With PE affecting 30 per cent of men globally1 and 31 per cent of men in Asia Pacific2, this platform served as an opportunity to educate the community on the condition as well as the impact it has on a couple's sexual satisfaction.

Commenting on its congress presence, Menarini Asia-Pacific Chief Executive Officer, Mr. John A. Graham, said, "Although nearly one in three men suffer from PE2, many are unaware that it is a condition which can be treated. PE has a significant impact on a man's quality of life and a couple's sexual satisfaction.3 Menarini Asia-Pacific aims to de-stigmatize PE so that men and their partners know that they are not alone."

He added, "The theme of this year's ICA was Global Andrology and Men's Health: Present Challenges for Future Generations and saw attendance by various international experts and researchers. This made ICA one of the most relevant avenues for Menarini Asia-Pacific to demonstrate our commitment to the cause and marks the beginning of our journey in the field of men's health."

Stress of premature ejaculation on men and their partners

According to a study involving nearly 5,000 men published in 2012 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, 31 per cent of men in Asia Pacific are affected by some form of PE2. These men were diagnosed using the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), a five-question psychometrically validated measure4. This number is in stark contrast to the five per cent of men diagnosed by the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM)2 who suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED), a different male sexual dysfunction where a man has difficulty maintaining an erection to the completion of intercourse. The study also found that men with PE and their partners experienced a decrease in their quality of life and their sexual satisfaction as a couple. Overall, 32 per cent of men were very or extremely concerned that PE left their partners sexually unfulfilled2. Men with PE felt high levels of frustration over their inability to control ejaculation, with 62 per cent feeling somewhat or very dissatisfied2.

Dr. Chris G. McMahon, a Sexual Health Physician and Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physician's Chapter of Sexual Medicine, who spoke at ICA, said, "The impact of premature ejaculation on men and their partners can be devastating both on the personal and the relationship levels. This is beyond the issue of self-esteem but about the impact on a couple's sexual satisfaction and ultimately, their quality of life. PE can be treated. However, patients need to feel comfortable speaking to their physicians and physicians must be aware that PE is a common condition that is under-detected and under-diagnosed."

Dr. McMahon continued, "It is heartening to see Menarini's participation at ICA to raise awareness of this often under-diagnosed condition which affects so many men."

To support awareness of premature ejaculation and men's health issues, Menarini Asia-Pacific will continue to focus on education through physician and consumer engagement initiatives across Asia Pacific.

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About Menarini Asia-Pacific (Formerly Invida Group)

Menarini Asia-Pacific, a member of Italy based Menarini Group, is a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on delivering differentiated ethical and consumer healthcare brands across the region. With over 3,300 professionals in 13 major markets, Menarini Asia-Pacific operates across the entire commercial value chain, from regulatory approval and product launch to lifecycle management and offers an unparalleled customer experience to partners wanting to tap into the Asia-Pacific growth story.

For further information please visit: www.menariniapac.com

1 European Association of Urology. Guidelines on male sexual dysfunction: erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. 2012; available at: http://www.uroweb.org/guidelines/online-guidelines/ Last access December 13th, 2012.

2 McMahon CG, Lee G, Park JK, Adaikan PG. Premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction prevalence and attitudes in the Asia-Pacific region. J Sex Med. 2012;9:424-65.

3 Rosen RC, Althof S. Impact of premature ejaculation: The psychological, quality of life, and sexual relationship consequences. J Sex Med. 2008;5:1296-1307.

4 Symonds T, Perelman MA, Althof S, Giuliano F, Martin M, May K, et al. Development and validation of a premature ejaculation diagnostic tool. Eur Urol. 2007;52(2):565-573.

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