Singapore - 21 March 2013 – At the 28th Annual European Association 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 in men and is characterized by difficulty in controlling ejaculation1. 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 satisfaction1,2. With one in three men2 having some form of PE as determined by the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT)3, 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."

The 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 Medicine2 in 2012 found that almost 60 per cent of respondents in Asia Pacific who have some form of PE were dissatisfied with their sexual relationships. Similarly, another study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine4 a few years ago revealed that only 38.3 per cent of partners of men with PE issues reported they were "satisfied" with their sexual relationships, whereas 90 per cent of partners of men without PE issues reported they were "satisfied".

A similar study conducted in Korea, where 27% of men are affected by PE5, 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, Department of Urology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea and the chairman of Korean society for sexual medicine and andrology, commented "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 PE2 and Clinical Sexologist at the National University Hospital Women's Centre, 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 men 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 of the symposium at the 28th Annual EAU Congress, Menarini is committed to raising awareness of PE, which is underdetected, underdiagnosed and undertreated1,6. 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.7

-END-

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]

References

1. 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] 2013 Mar [cited 2013 Mar 18].

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;9:424-465.

3. 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.

4. Patrick DL, Althof SE, Pryor JL, Rosen R, Rowland DL, Ho KF, et al. Premature ejaculation: an observational study of men and their partners. J Sex Med. 2005;2(3):358-367.

5. Lee SW, Lee JH, Sung HH, Park HJ, Park JK, Choi SK. The prevalence of premature ejaculation and its clinical characteristics in Korean men according to different definitions. Int J Impot Res. 2013;25(1):12-17.

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

7. Revicki D, Howard K, Hanlon J, Mannix S, Greene A, Rothman M. Characterizing the burden of premature ejaculation from a patient and partner perspective: a multi-country qualitative analysis. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2008;6:33.

If you'd like to know more about Menarini, feel free to download our PDF files here.