MANILA, Philippines—Menarini has recently launched an advocacy that focuses on promoting awareness on premature ejaculation (PE) among Filipino couples. Armed with the knowledge that 20 percent of relationships and marriages break down because of premature ejaculation1, the sexual dysfunction suffered by one out of three men2, the corporation aspires to inspire and encourage men to take action against this disorder.
The first hurdle to overcome however is not at all minor: there is so little awareness for premature ejaculation, as men tend to deny the condition and women would rather grin and bear it, no matter how dissatisfied they are in the bedroom3.
Until recently, the winds have finally changed, and the topic is no longer confined and whispered about in secret. In the first ever summit on premature ejaculation, the media and celebrity couples were free to speak up on what they know about the topic, and offer insights, observations—and even eye-opening stories were put forward by the likes of Anthony Pangilinan and Maricel-Laxa Pangilinan, Paolo Abrera and wife Suzie Entrata, Regine Tolentino and husband Lander Vera-Perez.
The lively exchange catalyzed an open discussion of the condition. Experts were there providing guidance and wisdom: Dr. Margie Holmes, noted and popular author and psychologist specializing in sex therapy, as well as urologist and men’s health expert Dr. Dennis Serrano.
During the summit, necessary actions that should be taken by a sufferer surfaced and were confirmed: begin by facing up to the issue… work with your partner—be supportive of each other’s needs and lack, discuss with your partner and the most crucial step, consult with your doctor. As the Sex Survey showed, couple tried different methods, and unfortunately reaching out to a doctor is not high on the list.1
Dr. Dennis Serrano explains the condition: premature ejaculation occurs when a man is unable to control or delay ejaculation on his own wish after vaginal penetration, resulting in short latency time and decreased sexual satisfaction, as well as personal distress and interpersonal difficulty.
Premature ejaculation is the most common sexual dysfunction in men, even higher than erectile dysfunction.2
Dr. Margie Holmes stressed that the issue centers more on lack of control and should be measured not just by time but more on the ability to satisfy one’s partner.
RJ Ledesma, the summit host established early on: “Men with PE often report emotional and relationship distress and some avoid pursuing sexual relationships altogether because of PE-related embarrassment. But the issue is not isolated to men as female partners also experience emotional and psychological distress which often leads to unwanted stress in the relationship.”
This statement encapsulates what the crux of the problem is—that premature ejaculation is not just a physiological problem affecting men, it is an issue that affects relationships between partners, between husbands and wives. Stress, dissatisfaction, insecurity—the problem of PE affects many, and sadly behind closed doors, many choose to brush it away, when in fact, they can get help.
This is one of the objectives of this event and like most things, awareness leads to understanding, which will lead to acceptance. And hopefully with acceptance (instead of denial) people can seek help, specifically from their doctors.
Menarini is determined to bring to the forefront of our consciousness the issue of PE—primarily for Filipino couples. The company had set up a website that can help guide a man—and his partner, in determining if he indeed suffers from this condition. The website helps a sufferer find the doctor for him, so that he can get treatment for the condition that hurts him, his partner and their relationship: visit www.controlPE.ph.
About premature ejaculation
PE is the most common sexual dysfunction in men and is characterized by difficulty in controlling ejaculation. PE is recognized as a medical condition by global health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Society of Sexual Medicine (ISSM), and the European Association of Urology (EAU).4-7 Effective treatment of PE can not only improve control over ejaculation but also improve sexual satisfaction and overall quality of life for both men and their partners.5,8
For further information on PE, visit www.controlPE.ph.
About the Menarini Group
Menarini is the world’s largest Italian biopharmaceutical company with a heritage of more than 128 years and more than 16,000 employees in more than 100 countries. Here in Asia-Pacific, Menarini’s vision is to be a leading provider of important healthcare brands to improve the lives of people in the region. Menarini Asia-Pacific operates across the entire commercial value chain, from regulatory approval and product launch to life-cycle management with a diverse portfolio of proprietary and partnered brands in key therapeutic fields, including Dermatology, Primary Care, Allergy/Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Select Specialty Care, Men’s Health and Consumer Health.
For further information, please visit: www.menariniapac.com.
References
1. 2013 Asia-Pacific Sexual Behaviours and Satisfaction Survey, May 2013.
2. McMahon CG, Lee G, Park JK, Adaikan PG. Premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction prevalence and attitudes in the Asia-Pacific region. J Sex Med 2012;9(2):454-65.
3. PE MyHealthCulture Report, Self Care Catalyst, Market Research Dec 2012.
4. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed. Washington, DC: APA Press; 1994.
5. Althof SE, Abdo CH, Dean J, Hackett G, McCabe M, McMahon CG, et al. International Society for Sexual Medicine’s guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of premature ejaculation. J Sex Med 2010; 7(9):2947-69.
6. World Health Organization. International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Edition. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1994.
7. Wespes E, Eardley I, Giuliano F, Hatzichristou D, Hatzimouratidis K, Moncada A, et al. European Association of Urology: Guidelines Male Sexual Dysfunction: Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. [Internet] March 2013 [cited 01 Jul 2013]. Available from: https://www.uroweb.org/gls/pdf/14_Male%20Sexual%20Dysfunction_
LR.pdf.
8. McCarty E, Dinsmore W. Dapoxetine: an evidence-based review of its effectiveness in treatment of premature ejaculation. Core Evid. 2012;7:1–14