An empirical operationalization study of DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for premature ejaculation

Area of Science:

• Sexual Medicine
• Urology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for premature ejaculation (PE) lacked empirical validation.
• A clinical study was needed to investigate the DSM-IV definition and establish an operational definition for PE.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the DSM-IV definition of premature ejaculation.
• To provide an empirical operationalization of premature ejaculation.
• To compare various methods for assessing intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT).

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 140 men diagnosed with lifelong premature ejaculation.
• Comparison of IELT assessment methods: spontaneous answer, questionnaire, estimation, and stopwatch measurement.
• Assessment of thrusts and perceived control during intercourse.
• 110 men utilized the stopwatch method over one month.

Main Results:

• Ninety percent of subjects ejaculated within one minute of intromission; 80% ejaculated within 30 seconds.
• Intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) was not correlated with age or relationship duration.
• IELT tended to be longer with higher intercourse frequency; moderate correlation between IELT assessment methods.

Conclusions:

• Premature ejaculation can be operationally defined as an IELT less than one minute in over 90% of sexual intercourse episodes.
• This definition is independent of the patient's age and relationship duration.
• The study provides an empirical basis for the diagnosis and understanding of lifelong premature ejaculation.