Sexual cognitions, trait anxiety, sexual anxiety and distress in men with different subtypes of premature ejaculation and in their partners

This study examined trait anxiety and sexual cognitions in 610 men with premature ejaculation (PE) (DSM-IV-TR criteria) and in 107 partners of these men, and compared their scores to normative data. Sexual anxiety, intra-vaginal ejaculatory latency time, feeling of control over ejaculation, and PE-related distress were also assessed. The scores of 343 participants (56.23%) with clearly identifiable subtypes of PE according to Waldinger’s classification system (lifelong, acquired, variable and subjective subtypes) were compared in these domains. Finally, the predictive value of these factors in determining PE-related distress was explored. The following conclusions can be summarised from the results: (1) men affected by PE are more distressed by the problem than their partners; (2) there is no evidence that levels of trait anxiety in individuals with PE are dissimilar to those found in the general population; (3) ‘dysfunctional’ sexual cognitions are likely play a role in PE, especially with regard to PE-related distress; (4) different subtypes of PE have similar profiles on measures of trait anxiety, sexual anxiety, and sexual cognitions; (5) differences between subtypes are only apparent with regard to feeling of control over ejaculation, with men with lifelong or acquired PE scoring significantly lower than those with a subjective form of the problem.