Premature ejaculation: therapist perspectives

Abstract

ABSTRACTPremature ejaculation (PE) is a common sexual dysfunction affecting approximately 20%–30% of men. Despite important issues relating to PE definition, diagnosis, and therapy, there is a paucity of research investigating the experiences of practitioners delivering PE treatment. For the present study, interviews were conducted with eight psychosexual therapists and subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four master themes emerged from the analysis. These were Romantic Relationships, Vulnerability, Culture, and Diagnosis and Assessment. The Romantic Relationships theme included three sub-themes: Intimacy; Involvement; and Distress. Two sub-themes formed the Vulnerability theme: Self-Esteem; and Anxiety. The Culture theme contained three sub-themes: Religion and Ethnicity; Pornography; and Masculinity. The Diagnosis and Assessment theme included two sub-themes: Referral and Definitions. Findings have important implications for the diagnosis and treatment of PE. Future research should investigate therapist perceptions further, including those factors which impact on engagement with clients and PE treatment success.