Assesses ejaculatory latency variations in men with PE, suggesting personalized treatment approaches.
Introduction Premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the most common male sexual symptoms whose clinical diagnosis often relies on intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT). While IELT is considered a stable parameter, recent research suggests that it may be influenced by physiological, behavioral, as well as contextual factors. Objective This study aimed to assess intraindividual variations in self-reported IELT among patients with PE, focusing on the influence of time of day, sexual position, alcohol consumption and condom use. Methods A total of 119 patients diagnosed with PE were recruited from our outpatients Sexual Medicine and Infertility clinic. Participants completed validated questionnaires, including the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), alongside self-reported measures of IELT in different settings. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and chi-square analyses were performed to compare IELT variations across conditions. Results Significant intraindividual variations in IELT were observed. Ejaculation latency was significantly longer during masturbation (MELT) than vaginal intercourse (Z = 7.53, p < 0.001). Patients perceived their longest IELT at different times of the day, though most reported no unique pattern. Face-to-face (male on top) was the most commonly used sexual position and most often associated with prolonged latency, although non-significant. Alcohol consumption (Z = 4.84, p < 0.001) and condom use (Z = 4.56, p < 0.001) were associated with longer perceived IELT. Foreplay duration had any or minimal impact on ejaculation latency for most participants. Conclusions These findings challenge the notion of IELT as a static diagnostic criterion and highlight the importance of behavioral and contextual influences on ejaculation control. The variability suggests that treatment approaches should be personalized, integrating sexual counseling and behavioral strategies tailored to individual experiences. Future research should further explore neurobiological and psychosocial determinants of ejaculatory control to refine therapeutic interventions. Disclosure No
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Colonnello et al. (2026) studied this question.
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