Interventions to treat premature ejaculation: a systematic review short report

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Sexual Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common sexual dysfunction characterized by ejaculation with minimal stimulation before desired.
• PE can be lifelong (primary) or acquired (secondary), impacting quality of life.
• Treatment options include behavioral and pharmacological interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the clinical effectiveness of behavioral, topical, and systemic treatments for premature ejaculation (PE).

Main Methods:

• Searched multiple databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, etc.) for RCTs and non-RCTs up to August 2013.
• Included adult men with PE; primary outcome was intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT).
• Meta-analysis was performed where possible; other outcomes included sexual satisfaction and adverse events.

Main Results:

• Topical anesthetics, SSRIs, SNRIs, inhaled clomipramine, PDE5 inhibitors, and tramadol significantly improved IELT compared to placebo.
• SSRIs, PDE5 inhibitors, and tramadol also improved sexual satisfaction.
• Behavioral therapies showed improvements over waitlist controls; combination therapy was superior to monotherapy.

Conclusions:

• Multiple interventions demonstrate efficacy in improving IELT and sexual satisfaction for PE.
• Long-term safety, effectiveness, and optimal usage protocols require further investigation.
• Assessment of adverse events associated with long-term treatment is necessary.