15 August, 2013: A new study into the sexual behaviours and satisfaction of Australian couples has revealed the significant impact of premature ejaculation (PE) on relationships.
The Asia-Pacific Sexual Behaviours and Satisfaction Survey revealed more than 50 per cent of couples are dissatisfied in the bedroom.
The survey, conducted by Kantar Health and commissioned by biopharmaceutical company Menarini Asia-Pacific, questioned 3,500 men and women aged 18-45 years old across nine geographies including Australia, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.
More than 80% of those surveyed who reported a PE experience said it had a negative impact on their relationship with 15% reporting that PE led to a relationship breakdown or divorce.
Menarini Asia-Pacific Chief Executive Officer, John A. Graham said: “This survey reveals the true impact that sexual satisfaction has on relationships in the Asia-Pacific region. It’s disquieting to see that so many couples face frustration with their sex life. More importantly, the survey also shows the depth to which premature ejaculation affects couples, both on the personal and relationship levels.”
Premature ejaculation is the most common male sexual dysfunction, affecting between 20% and 40% of men worldwide.1 It is both under-diagnosed and under-treated, and commonly confused with erectile dysfunction.2,3 The prevalence of premature ejaculation amongst men in Australia and New Zealand is 32%.4
Frequency of sex matters for Australian couples with 68% expressing the desire for more sex. However, sexual satisfaction is similarly important with two in three respondents (74% of men and 72% of women) believing that mutual sexual satisfaction plays a very significant or extremely important role in a successful relationship.
The majority of male respondents believe that being able to control when to ejaculate is an important factor in mutual sexual satisfaction. As for women, emotional attributes such as feeling loved and cared for and being in a secure or harmonious relationship drive higher levels of sexual satisfaction.
When it comes to doing something about premature ejaculation, close to eight in ten men who have experienced some form of PE remain undiagnosed.
Director of the Centre for Sexual Health in Sydney and President of the International Society for Sexual Medicine, Dr Chris McMahon, said: “A lack of understanding on the condition is the main barrier to men not seeing a doctor. But there is also the stigma, shame and embarrassment brought by having PE, it remains a taboo subject for many men and women in today’s society.”
In fact, common misperceptions for both men and women regarding the cause of PE include beliefs that PE is caused by stress, fatigue, diet, ageing or inexperience, that the condition will disappear over time, and that treatment is not required.
When confronting sexual dysfunction issues, Dr McMahon said talking about it is the first step to dealing with the problem.
“As a medical practitioner, I strongly encourage men and their partners to start conversations about the issue. Speaking to a Doctor is not as difficult as it may seem and is an important step to take if couples are serious about improving their sex life and strengthening their relationships” said Dr McMahon.
He continued: “Premature ejaculation can be treated successfully. Men with PE and their partners need to take control of the issue and go to their doctors. Start the conversation early so that treatment can begin earlier for greater success and satisfaction.”
― ENDS ―
About the 2013 Asia-Pacific Sexual Behaviours and Satisfaction Survey5
The 2013 Asia-Pacific Sexual Behaviours and Satisfaction Survey polled more than 3,500 men and women aged 18-45 years old from nine markets in Asia-Pacific, including Australia, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, to understand the impact premature ejaculation (PE) has on couples’ relationships and sexual satisfaction. The survey, conducted by Kantar Health and sponsored by Menarini Asia-Pacific, was conducted between 18 March 2013 and 2 April 2013, and incorporated the five-question Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), a validated instrument for diagnosing premature ejaculation. Menarini is committed to raising awareness of PE, which is underdetected, underdiagnosed and undertreated.2
About premature ejaculation
Premature ejaculation is the most common sexual dysfunction in men and is characterised by difficulty in controlling ejaculation. Premature ejaculation is recognized as a medical condition by global health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), American Urological Association (AUA), American Psychological Association (APA) and the International Society of Sexual Medicine (ISSM).3,6,7 Effective treatment of PE can improve control over ejaculation and increase sexual satisfaction and overall quality of life for both men and their partners.8
For further information on premature ejaculation, please visit www.controlpe.com.au
About A. Menarini Australia Pty Ltd
A member of the Menarini Group, a leading European biopharmaceutical company, Menarini Australia is focused on delivering differentiated ethical and consumer healthcare brands to Australians. With an extensive brands portfolio, Menarini Australia markets a wide range of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and consumer health brands. Building on our strengths in dermatology, primary care, consumer health and specialty care, Menarini Australia is now introducing new products in men’s sexual health, cardiovascular and allergy/respiratory therapeutic areas. For further information please visit www.menarini.com.au
1 McCarty EJ, et al. Core Evid. 2012:7;1-14
2 Sotomayor M. The burden of premature ejaculation: the patient’s perspective. J Sex Med. 2005;2 Suppl 2:110-114
3 Wespes E, Eardley AE, Giuliano F, Hatzichristou D, Hatzimouratidis K, Montorsi F, et al. European Association of Urology: Guidelines Male Sexual Dysfunction: Erectile dysfunction and prematureejaculation. [Internet] 2012 Feb [cited 2013 Mar 20]. Available from: http://www.uroweb.org/fileadmin/guidelines/2012_Guidelines_large_text_print_total_file.pdf.
4 McMahon CG, Lee G, Park JK, Adaikan PG. Premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction prevalence and attitudes in the Asia-Pacific region. J Sex Med 2012;9(2):454-65
5 Kantar Health, sponsored by Menarini Asia-Pacific. 2013. Menarini Asia Pacific Sexual Behaviours and Satisfaction Survey. Unpublished data on file.
6 Althof SE, Abdo CH, Dean J, Hackett G, McCabe M, McMahon CG, et al. International Society for Sexual Medicine’s guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of premature ejaculation. J Sex Med 2010:7(9):2947-69.
7 American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed. Washington, DC: APA Press;1994.
8 Revicki D, Howard K, Hanlon J, Mannix S, Greene A, Rothman M. Characterizing the burden of premature ejaculation from a patient and partner perspective: a multi-country qualitative analysis. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2008;6:33.