A review of controlled trials in the pharmacological treatment of premature ejaculation

Premature ejaculation is a common sexual problem which presents to genitourinary (GU) medicine services. Five main treatment approaches have been used in clinical trials: behavioural therapy, antidepressants, phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors, topical anaesthetic agents and alpha-blockers. We have carried out a systematic review of published pharmacological trials. All antidepressants appeared to delay ejaculation to some extent at all doses. Anaesthetic creams appeared to be as successful in slowing ejaculation as antidepressants without systemic side-effects, although some patients did experience erectile problems or unpleasant local symptoms. Anecdotally, behavioural therapy is effective and appears to have long-lasting efficacy. There is a need for quality comparative trial of behavioural therapy, topical anaesthetic agents and antidepressants, including appropriate measures of relapse, follow-up and acceptability of continuing long-term treatment.