Guidelines for the pharmacotherapy of premature ejaculation

In the 1960s, premature ejaculation was considered a learned behaviour that had to be treated by behavioural therapy, such as the so-called stop-start technique. The efficacy of this method was questioned. Physicians have always looked for medication that could delay ejaculation. Many studies, controlled and open label, have now clearly shown that rapid ejaculation can be treated quickly and effectively with clomipramine and SSRIs. This article describes the guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of premature ejaculation. These guidelines were developed to ensure that medication are used when clear indications are present.