Epidemiologic research of premature ejaculation (PE) is dependent on a proper definition of PE. The current DSM-IV-TR definition of PE has a low positive predictive value meaning that the use of this definition has a high risk for false positive diagnoses of PE [1]. Therefore the DSM-IV-TR definition of PE is inadequate for epidemiological and drug treatment research. Recently, Waldinger and Schweitzer proposed a new classification of PE [2,3] in which four well-defined PE syndromes are distinguished: Lifelong PE (LPE), Acquired PE (APE), Normal Variable PE (NVPE) and Premature-like Ejaculatory Dysfunction (PLED). Men who report to suffer from PE only occasionally are likely to have “Natural Variable PE”. In Lifelong PE, early ejaculations are consistently present from the first sexual encounters and occur within seconds after penetration. However, men who report to suffer from PE but ejaculate after 5-10 minutes, should be diagnosed as “Premature-like Ejaculatory Dysfunction” [3]. As psychological and/or relationship problems may underlie these complaints, these men should better not be treated with medication but with counselling, psycho-education or sometimes psychotherapy [3]. On the other hand, men with Lifelong PE ought to be treated with medication. Although the prevalence of PE is about 30-40%, this doesn’t mean that all of these men suffer from the “disorder” PE. For example, the prevalence of lifelong PE is probably much lower (1-5%). However, epidemiological studies investigating the prevalence of the various PE syndromes have not yet been performed. References: 1. Waldinger MD, Schweitzer DH. J Sex Med 2006; 3: 682-692 2. Waldinger MD, Schweitzer DH. J Sex Med 2006; 3: 693-705 3. Waldinger MD. J Men’s Health and Gender 2006 (in press)
Conflict of Interest: None disclosed
Financial Support/Funding: None disclosed
Recorded: Sydney, Australia, April 2007
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