Premature Ejaculation in Infertile Couples: Prevalence and Correlates

Abstract

Introduction The incidence of premature ejaculation (PE) and other sexual problems in infertile couples is unknown. Aims We attempted to determine the prevalence of PE in infertile couples. Methods Infertile couples presenting for evaluation at our institutions were invited to participate in our study. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to assess for associations between partner responses. Main Outcome Measure Respondents completed a demographic survey, the Short Form-36 (SF-36), and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. Both partners also completed a gender-specific survey instrument to detect PE and distress related to the condition. Male partners completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the Self-Esteem and Relationship Quality (SEAR) scale. Female partners completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and a modified version of the SEAR. Results Fifty percent of men reported that they ejaculated more rapidly than they wished. When men reported PE, their partners agreed with the diagnosis in 47% of cases. Female partners of men who did not report PE reported PE in 11% of cases. Partner frustration related to PE was reported by 30% of men. Partners agreed that they were frustrated in 43% of these cases. Among the 70% of men who did not report partner frustration from PE, 93% of the partners agreed that they were not frustrated. There was a statistically significant negative association between male and female report of PE and SEAR scores. There were no other statistically significant associations between PE responses and demographic variables, IIEF, FSFI, CES-D, and SF-36 scores. Conclusions PE is prevalent among infertile couples although the perceived incidence of the condition among men is higher than partner perceived incidence. Additionally, many men may overestimate the level of partner frustration related to PE. PE is associated with lower relationship satisfaction in both men and women. Further research is required.

Male infertility: an obstacle to sexuality?

“…Shindel et al (2008) indicated that the incidence of ED in the male infertile population (22%) was higher than that observed in a male population of the same age (7 to 9%). In addition, a rate of 15% of ED was reported by Jain et al (2000) in 175 infertile couples.…”

“…In the literature, several studies have reported a higher prevalence of ED in infertile male patients compared with the male general population (Jain et al, 2000;Monga et al, 2004;O'Brien et al, 2005;Shindel et al, 2008;Lotti et al, 2012;Gao et al, 2013), see Table 1 for details. Shindel et al (2008) indicated that the incidence of ED in the male infertile population (22%) was higher than that observed in a male population of the same age (7 to 9%).…”

“…It has been shown that 50-66% of men suffering from infertility were experiencing a premature ejaculation (PE) (Jain et al, 2000;Shindel et al, 2008). In the study by Hurwitz (1989), among 40 couples presenting a primary infertility, 75% of the male partner had a PE during either sexual intercourse or during the 'fertile window of the menstrual cycle'.…”

“…In the study by Hurwitz (1989), among 40 couples presenting a primary infertility, 75% of the male partner had a PE during either sexual intercourse or during the 'fertile window of the menstrual cycle'. According to some studies, PE is more frequent among the infertile men population than the general population (Shindel et al, 2008;Gurkan et al, 2009;Hassanzadeh et al, 2010;Lotti et al, 2012;Gao et al, 2013;Huyghe et al, 2013). The studies by Lotti et al (2012) and Gao et al (2013) are the only available studies using validated Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tools (PEDT) to investigate PE in infertile men.…”

Prevalence of Premature Ejaculation in Young and Middle Aged Men in Korea: A Multicenter Internet Based Survey From the Korean Andrological Society

“…According to results from numerous epidemiological studies, premature ejaculation (PE) is likely the most prevalent type of sexual dysfunction [1][2][3][4][5]. Overall, the prevalence rate of PE falls somewhere between 25% and 40% in the global population of men across all age groups [6][7][8][9].…”