Pathophysiology of acquired premature ejaculation

Abstract

When receiving the patient's complain of inadequate control of ejaculation, the first diagnostic aim of the expert in sexual medicine is to classify the symptom, i.e. to identify, with several specific questions, the characteristics of a single PE case. As many other sexual symptoms, the notion that men with PE are a homogeneous group is erroneous. Premature ejaculation should be classified into various subgroups. The dysfunction may be lifelong (i.e., from the beginning of active sexual life, LL-PE) or acquired (occurring after a period of normal ejaculatory control, A-PE). This classification does not aims to help the physician in the recognition of causes and risk factors, that can be the same in both subsets of patients. However, several causes, discussed in this chapter, are probably more prevalent in patients with A-PE-with respect to subjects with LL-PE.