Singapore - 28 May 2013 – One of the biggest ever surveys into sexual satisfaction in Asia-Pacific revealed today the intense levels of distress and frustration that premature ejaculation ("PE") causes men and their partners. Results showed the impact climax control has on relationships and why men and women are not seeking help.

The study report, which can be accessed at www.controlpe.com, was conducted by Kantar Health and commissioned by international pharmaceutical company Menarini. Over 3,500 men and women across nine markets, including Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, were surveyed.

Menarini Asia-Pacific Chief Executive Officer, John A. Graham said: "This survey reveals the true impact that sexual satisfaction has on relationships in the Asia-Pacific region. It's disquieting to see that so many couples face frustration with their sex life. More importantly, the survey also shows the depth to which premature ejaculation affects couples, both on the personal and relationship levels."

Quantity matters, so does quality.

Three in four people in Asia-Pacific want to be more sexually active. Moreover, sexual satisfaction is similarly important with two in three respondents (67 per cent) believing that mutual sexual satisfaction plays a very significant or extremely important role in a successful relationship.

Couples' sexual and relationship health are severely impacted by premature ejaculation – the most common sexual dysfunction in men.

The survey reveals that premature ejaculation is a highly prevalent medical condition in the region with nearly one in three men in Asia-Pacific experiencing some form of PE as diagnosed by the Premature Ejaculation Diagnosis Tool (PEDT).1

Among respondents who reported PE, 30 per cent of men and 40 per cent of women said that it causes them to avoid sex completely.

Within relationships, 44 per cent of those couples said that PE caused them to grow apart from their partners. In the worst cases, 15 per cent of men and 14 per cent of women said that PE could lead to actual relationship breakdown or divorce.

Breaking the silence over premature ejaculation – experts stress the importance of opening up to your partner.

Despite issues with relationships and sexual satisfaction caused by PE, most men and women are not talking about it and the major barrier preventing them from doing so is the sense of embarrassment attached to this condition.

Professor Ganesh Adaikan, Honorary Life President of the Asia Pacific Society for Sexual Medicine and Clinical Sexologist at the National University Hospital Women's Centre in Singapore, said: "Even though talking about sex seems more open these days, premature ejaculation remains a taboo subject. As this survey reveals, PE carries a huge stigma among men and their partners, preventing them from taking action about the condition."

Most men and women affected by the issue are reluctant to seek help.

When it comes to doing something about premature ejaculation,

• Close to eight in ten men who have experienced PE remain undiagnosed
• 55 per cent listed a lack of understanding as the main barrier to seeing a doctor. Some believe that PE is caused by stress, fatigue, lifestyle or inexperience, that it will resolve itself over time and that it does not need to be treated
• Nearly half said that they had not taken action because of stigma, shame and embarrassment
• For partners of men with PE, 47 per cent have never encouraged their men to seek treatment

Dr Chris McMahon, a Sexual Health Physician and Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physician's Chapter of Sexual Medicine, emphasized the need for better education about PE as a real medical condition that should be addressed through medical consultation. Dr. McMahon said, "When confronting sexual dysfunction issues, talking about it is the first step towards dealing with the problem. Seeking treatment is not as difficult as it may seem and is an important step to take if couples are serious about improving their sex life and strengthening their relationships. Start the conversation early so that treatment can begin earlier for greater success and satisfaction."

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About the 2013 Asia-Pacific Sexual Behaviours and Satisfaction Survey

The 2013 Asia-Pacific Sexual Behaviours and Satisfaction Survey polled more than 3,500 men and women aged 18-45 years old from nine markets in Asia-Pacific, including Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, to understand the impact premature ejaculation has on couples' relationships and sexual satisfaction. The survey, conducted by Kantar Health and sponsored by Menarini Asia-Pacific, was conducted between 18 March 2013 and 2 April 2013, and incorporated the five-question Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), a validated instrument for diagnosing premature ejaculation. Menarini is committed to raising awareness of premature ejaculation (PE), which is underdetected, underdiagnosed and undertreated. 2

To see the full regional survey results, please visit [www.controlpe.com]

About Premature Ejaculation

Premature ejaculation is the most common sexual dysfunction in men and is characterised by difficulty in controlling ejaculation. Premature ejaculation is recognized as a medical condition by global health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), American Urological Association (AUA), American Psychological Association (APA) and the International Society of Sexual Medicine (ISSM).3, 5-7 Effective treatment of PE can improve control over ejaculation and increase sexual satisfaction and overall quality of life for both men and their partners.3,4

For further information on premature ejaculation or the PEDT, please visit www.controlpe.com.

About the Menarini Group

Menarini is the world's largest Italian biopharmaceutical company with a heritage of over 127 years and nearly 17,000 employees in over 100 countries. Here in Asia-Pacific, Menarini's vision is to be a leading provider of important healthcare brands to improve the lives of people in the region. Menarini Asia-Pacific operates across the entire commercial value chain, from regulatory approval and product launch to lifecycle management with a diverse portfolio of proprietary and partnered brands in key therapeutic fields, including Dermatology, Primary Care, Allergy/Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Oncology/Specialty Care, Men's Health and Consumer Health.

References

1. Symonds T, Perelman M, 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.

2. Sotomayor M. The burden of premature ejaculation: the patient's perspective. J Sex Med. 2005;2 Suppl 2:110-114.

3. Althof SE, Abdo CH, Dean J, Hackett G, McCabe M, McMahon CG, et al. International Society for Sexual Medicine's guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of premature ejaculation. J Sex Med 2010;7(9):2947-69.

4. McCarty E, Dinsmore W. Dapoxetine: an evidence-based review of its effectiveness in treatment of premature ejaculation. Core Evid. 2012;7:1–14

5. Wespes E, Eardley AE, Giuliano F, Hatzichristou D, Hatzimouratidis K, Montorsi F, et al. European Association of Urology: Guidelines Male Sexual Dysfunction: Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. [Internet] 2012 Feb [cited 2013 Mar 20].

6. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed. Washington, DC: APA Press;1994.

7. Priligy® (dapoxetine). [Summary of Product Characteristics] Oct 2012.

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