Increasing public awareness on premature ejaculation

A. Menarini Philippines and the Philippine Urological Association (PUA) have signed a memorandum of agreement to jointly implement an advocacy campaign on premature ejaculation (PE).

“One in three men has PE, making it the most common male sexual disorder, even more prevalent than erectile dysfunction. Yet because of the social stigma attached to PE, very few couples and even fewer men dare speak about it,” said Dr. Ulysses Quanico, PUA president.

“The PUA is pleased to partner with A. Menarini Philippines in bringing out into the open a condition long considered a taboo subject. By increasing awareness on PE, we aim to encourage Filipino couples struggling with PE to seek medical help so that they can regain control of their relationship,” said Dr. Jaime Songco, PUA vice president.

Dedicated website, e-mail

To provide the public with easy access to information about PE, A. Menarini Philippines and the PUA have put up a dedicated website (www.controlPE.ph) and e-mail ([email protected]).

“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,” Dr. Quanico said.

Men typically experience orgasm and expel semen within four to eight minutes after the start of sexual intercourse. PE occurs when a man is unable to control or delay ejaculation on or shortly after vaginal penetration, resulting in short latency time and decreased sexual satisfaction, as well as personal distress and interpersonal difficulty.

“While it directly affects men, PE is a couple’s problem. It negatively impacts a woman’s sexual satisfaction leading to a breakdown in the couple’s relationship,” Dr. Songco noted.

PE negatively affects intimacy and leaves couples feeling there is “something missing” in their relationship. Men with PE are often reluctant to discuss their condition or are in denial. Fearing they would hurt the man’s feelings, women avoid raising the topic. This communication gap hinders PE diagnosis and treatment. Left untreated, PE can cause relationship stress.

Dr. Quanico pointed out that PE is different from ED. “In ED, the man cannot achieve or maintain an erection. In PE, the man may have normal erection but lacks control in ejaculation. ED is most common among older men, while PE cuts across a wide range of age group affecting men 18 to 65 years old.”

“The exact cause of PE remains unknown. But we do know that PE is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay of both psychological and biological factors. Once diagnosed, PE is treatable. The first step in controlling PE is to consult your doctor,” Dr. Quanico explained.

Innovative drug

Effective treatment options include medications, psychological counseling and sexual techniques that delay ejaculation. For many men, a combination of treatments works best.

“Dapoxetine, an innovative drug specifically developed to treat PE, will soon be available in the Philippines. Combined with psychological and relationship counseling, dapoxetine can help men and their partners regain control of their intimacy and relationship,” said Dr. Maria Carolina de Quiroz, A. Menarini Philippines medical affairs director.

“We are honored to partner with the PUA in shedding light on PE and helping Filipino couples enjoy a healthy, fulfilling relationship,” said Ninia Torres, A. Menarini Philippines general manager.