Premature ejaculation: prevalence and associated conditions in a sample of 12,558 men attending the andrology prevention week 2001 : a study of the Italian Society of Andrology (SIA)

Introduction. Premature ejaculation (PE) is the most frequent sexual complaint. Aim. To investigate prevalence of PE and its associated conditions. Methods. We analyzed information gathered from men attending a free andrologic consultation in 186 Italian medical centers, in the setting of a project focused on andrologic prevention. Main Outcome Measure. Risk factors for PE. Results. Five hundred sixty-nine men suffered from lifelong PE; 1,855 had previously normal ejaculation; and 2 34 had PE not specified. Men with PE were younger than those without, but after adjusting for concomitant erectile dysfunction the risk of PE significantly decreased with aging. Men more educated, or who had, experienced a divorce had a slightly increased risk. Also, lifestyle and occupational status affected the risk of PE. Concerning medical history, a decreased risk of PE emerged in men with treated diabetes, and no association was found with hypertension, cardiopathy hypercholesterolemia, and peripheral or central neuropathy. Conclusions. The results of the analysis of a large dataset show that subjects with PE who are seeking treatment either have experienced stress-related problems or have a physical condition predisposing to this dysfunction (genital anomalies, prostate inflammation).