Premature ejaculation

Premature ejaculation is considered the most common male sexual dysfunction. Although its real prevalence is not well known, due to the current absence of a universal accepted definition which allows questioning the inclusion criteria and assessment of many published studies, the analyses with higher statistical significance report 30%. According to the data of the first Spanish Demographic Study on Premature Ejaculation (DEEP), revealed in December 2009, 43% of Spaniards suffers from premature ejaculation in any moment of his life. Because of the need to create an universal standard in response to the diversity of existent definitions, the International Society of Sexual Medicine (ISSM) has proposed a new definition based on objective criteria. There are evidences enought that suggest the biogenic origin of the premature ejaculation, genetically determined and in relation to the inherited sensitivity of the central serotonine receptors. So far, there was not any specific available a drug designed for the treatment of premature ejaculation. Therefore, the most common practice was to prescribe "off label" drugs. The European (EMEA) and Spanish (AEMPS) medicaments agencies approved the use of dapoxetine, a short-acting selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. This is an important advance in the treatment of premature ejaculation. This article reviews the main aspects regarding the definition, epidemiology, etiology, classification and treatment options of premature ejaculation.