Global perspectives on the three criteria for premature ejaculation: An observational study of ejaculatory latency, ejaculatory control and bother/distress.

Abstract

Criteria for premature ejaculation (PE) were established using Western-based samples, yet these criteria are applied worldwide for its diagnosis. This study (a) determined whether men from various world regions differ/agree on their views of ejaculation latency (ELT) and their perceptions of ejaculatory control and bother/distress, the three criteria for PE, and (b) compared PE and non-PE men across worldwide regions on these measures. 1,065 participants were recruited via social media to respond to a survey about men's typical, ideal and PE ELTs, about their own ELT, and about perceptions of ejaculatory control and bother/distress related to PE. Responses from men from four worldwide regions were compared to a reference group of North American/European men, and PE men were compared with non-PE men across three world regions. Results showed that most world region groups showed similarity in ELT estimations. The Sub-Saharan group focused more heavily on the importance of ejaculatory control. Both ELT and ejaculatory control differed between PE and non-PE groups in all regions assessed. In conclusion, perceived ELTs and ejaculatory control show substantial consistency across world regions despite geo-cultural variations and traditions. Such findings argue for the universality of the concepts of ELT, control and bother/distress related to PE.