Sexual health and intimacy are important universal elements of interpersonal relationship. And there is a common misconception that virility and vitality are sole monopolies of the youth when in fact, there is almost no age limit to sexual health. For a lot of guys, they may experience sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction (ED or impotence) that usually affects older men. But men may be surprised that with premature ejaculation (PE), another common sexual problem, age doesn’t matter.
One in three men has PE, making it the most common male sexual disorder, even more prevalent than ED. PE occurs when a man is unable to control or delay ejaculation after vaginal penetration, resulting in short latency time and decreased sexual satisfaction, as well as personal distress and interpersonal difficulty.
The Asia-Pacific Premature Ejaculation Prevalence and Attitudes (Pepa) Study, the largest study of its kind to date in the region, showed that PE prevalence is consistent across all age groups. Conducted from March to April 2009, the Pepa study involved almost 5,000 men aged 18 to 65 from Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.
An earlier Pepa survey involving more than 12,000 men aged 18 to 70 from the United States, Germany and Italy found that more than 20 percent of them have PE. The US National Health and Social Life Survey analysis involving more than 2,500 men revealed that about a third of men aged 18 to 59 have PE.
Although it can be embarrassing to talk about, PE is a very common condition that is treatable once diagnosed by a doctor. Men and their partners should not suffer in silence; PE need not erode their intimacy and relationship. An innovative drug specifically developed to treat PE will soon be available. Combined with psychological and relationship counseling, this new drug can help men and their partners regain control of their intimacy and relationship. Talk to your doctor to know more about effective ways to manage PE.
PE-P Talk TRIVIA CONTEST: True or False: Premature ejaculation involves a complex interplay of both psychological and biological factors. E-mail your answer to inquire@controlPE.ph and get the chance to win a prize!
Dr. Raul Winston P. Andutan is a urologist and past president of the Philippine Urological Association. A health information advocacy supported by A. Menarini Philippines, PE-P Talk is a column series that aims to raise awareness on and enhance understanding of premature ejaculation (PE) and its proper diagnosis and treatment. For inquiries, please e-mail inquire@controlPE.ph or visit www.controlPE.ph.