Compliance With Fluoxetine Use in Men With Primary Premature Ejaculation

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Psychiatry
• Sexual Medicine

Background:

• Premature ejaculation (PE) is a prevalent sexual dysfunction.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are effective treatments for PE.
• Long-term compliance and predictors of SSRI use in PE treatment are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate fluoxetine dropout rates in primary PE patients.
• To identify factors predicting continued fluoxetine use for PE.

Main Methods:

• 130 men with primary PE using fluoxetine were followed for 12 months.
• Data collected included self-reported intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT), ejaculatory control, and distress.
• Fluoxetine dosage was adjusted based on efficacy and side effects.

Main Results:

• Dropout rates were 56% at 6 months and 72% at 12 months.
• Significant improvements were noted in ejaculatory control and personal/partner distress (P < .01).
• Predictors for continued use included high partner distress, being unpartnered, and post-treatment IELT ≥5 minutes.

Conclusions:

• Fluoxetine effectively improves PE symptoms and related distress.
• Despite efficacy, sustained fluoxetine use beyond 6 months is limited.
• Further research is needed to improve long-term compliance in PE treatment.