A double-blind crossover trial of clomipramine for rapid ejaculation in 15 couples

The purpose of this study was to assess the sexual and psychosocial efficacy of clomipramine for rapid ejaculation.

Fifteen physically healthy, self-selected couples (men had a mean age of 38 years) who met six eligibility criteria and did not meet five exclusion criteria participated in a variable-length, repeated measures, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study with a 2-month follow-up period. Sexual and psychosocial assessments were conducted at baseline, after placebo, after 25 mg/day of clomipramine, after 50 mg/day of clomipramine, and at the 2-month follow-up point. The major outcome measures included stopwatch timing of ejaculation latencies, modified Case Western Reserve University Sexual Function Questionnaire, Symptom Checklist-90-R, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Harder Self-Esteem Inventory.

Baseline mean ejaculatory latency was 81 seconds; 25 mg/day of clomipramine increased it to 202 seconds and 50 mg/day of clomipramine to 419 seconds. This resulted in significantly greater sexual satisfaction scores for men and their partners (men, p < .001; women, p < .05), improvements in partner coital orgasmic attainment, and greater relationship and emotional satisfaction for the men. Withdrawal of the drug caused ejaculatory latencies to return to baseline.

Clomipramine appears to be effective in significantly lengthening ejaculatory latencies and increasing sexual and relationship satisfaction. It can be a cost-effective chronic therapy for selected patients. These impressive results should not be expected in a less carefully screened population of men concerned about the timing of their orgasm during intercourse.