ISSM definition of Primary Premature Ejaculation

Premature ejaculation is a male sexual dysfunction characterized by ejaculation which always or nearly always occurs prior to or within about one minute of vaginal penetration; and inability to delay ejaculation on all or nearly all vaginal penetrations; and negative personal consequences, such as distress, bother, frustration and/or the avoidance of sexual intimacy.

Responding to the need for a new, evidence-based definition of premature ejaculation (PE), the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) established in 2007 an Ad Hoc Committee for the Definition of Premature Ejaculation. Members of the committee were recommended by 12 highly respected leaders in sexual medicine. The committee, consisting of 21 internationally-recognized experts, met in Amsterdam from 19-21 October 2007. The committee included the world's most active and most published researchers and thought leaders on premature ejaculation as well as experts from every continent, both sexes and diverse scientific backgrounds and opinion.

The panel of experts agreed that the constructs which are necessary to define premature ejaculation are: time to ejaculation; inability to delay ejaculation; and negative consequences from premature ejaculation. The panel concluded that, currently, the available objective evidence on premature ejaculation is limited to men with lifelong premature ejaculation who engage in vaginal intercourse. The panel agreed that the definition is likely to apply also to men with premature ejaculation who engage in sexual activities other than vaginal intercourse. After careful review, the panel reported that there are insufficient objective data to propose an evidence-based definition for acquired premature ejaculation.

A full report of the ISSM Ad Hoc Committee for the Definition of Premature Ejaculation will be published in 2008.

Updated on 12/16/2007