A Qualitative Pilot Study of Islamic Men with Lifelong Premature (Rapid) Ejaculation

INTRODUCTION: Premature ejaculation is a common sexual problem in men. Although the etiology is unclear, there is emerging evidence that men from different ethnic backgrounds may be more at risk. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to generate themes and hypotheses around the etiology of premature ejaculation with particular reference to men from Islamic backgrounds. METHODS: This is an explorative qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 10 male volunteers with a clinical diagnosis of premature ejaculation. Interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed. Transcriptions were then hand-coded and analyzed using grounded theory. RESULTS: Anxious first sexual experience (with subtheme: fear of being discovered and wanting to finish early); sex before marriage; sex outside of marriage; religion; "stress;" exposure to Western images; living in the United Kingdom; and the subsequent feeling of freedom were themes that emerged from the transcripts. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified factors associated with premature ejaculation in patients with Islamic backgrounds attending our unit. This may have useful therapeutic implications when consulting Islamic men with premature ejaculation.