PREMATURE EJACULATION TREATMENTS
It is a taboo issue; a source of embarrassment that is hardly ever discussed in the open. But there are new treatment options for those men suffering from premature ejaculation, easily one of the most common sexual problems.
Premature ejaculation, or PE, is the most common male sexual dysfunction, and is especially significant in men younger than 40 years of age. It can cause a cycle of shame, misunderstanding, and emotional and sexual dissatisfaction. Men and their partners suffer in silence, and never get help.
But there is a new drug up for FDA approval, and at least two others already approved for other reasons have now been shown to be effective for this problem.
Dr. Natan Bar-Chama, a urologist with Mt. Sinai Medical Center, says, “I think society has been exposed to erectile dysfunction as a condition but now with the emergence of new drugs we're going to see that there is a silent but significant population afflicted with premature ejaculation.”
There are no known physical abnormalities that are the root cause—it’s felt to be primarily a psychological issue. 20 to 30% of men suffer from premature ejaculation. It’s a significant problem because a third of these say they have a hard time getting aroused and have a low interest in sex.
Most professionals who treat PE define it as the occurrence of ejaculation prior to the wishes of both sexual partners, which means, the definition varies depending upon each person and each couple. But it can be so significant, that if it happens before commencement of sexual intercourse and the couple is attempting pregnancy, then pregnancy is impossible to achieve unless artificial insemination is used.
Currently, there are no medications specifically approved to treat premature ejaculation. Some men use skin creams and condoms which contain topical anesthetics that dull sensation in the penis. But this falls short as a poor, at best, band aid solution to the problem.
But now, there is hope in the form of medicine. New research out of the American Urological Association Annual Meeting shows men using the highest dose of the experimental drug called Dapoxetine were able to last more than three times longer compared to when placebo was used, and satisfaction with sex markedly improved--reported by nearly 80% of the subjects using the highest dose.
The biggest side effect of Dapoxetine is nausea, experienced in one out of every five men using the highest dose. It’s being submitted for FDA approval.
Another study also presented at the conference looked at two commonly used medicines: one, Levitra, the popular impotence pill, and the other Zoloft, a widely prescribed antidepressant. With Zoloft, men who were able to last just slightly more than a half minute, on average, were able to last almost three minutes. “This study is the first time that this class of drugs which we know works for premature ejaculation is being used specifically for premature ejaculation. Because it’s so prevalent this study is very exciting, because we're beginning to see a drug that is effective for this specific condition,” says Dr. Bar-Chama.
Even more promising, with Levitra, they were able to last more than five minutes. “The PED5-inhibitors enhance the ability to maintain an erection. These drugs specifically delay the ejaculation reflex,” says Dr. Bar-Chama.
They’re hope in a bottle that will hopefully get couples talking--and addressing—the minor, but problematic condition of premature ejaculation.
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