Menarini's Dapoxetine advocates “Commit to Control PE”

The world’s largest Italian biopharmaceutical company, Menarini, is in the Philippines to  promote awareness on premature ejaculation among Filipino couples. Armed with the knowledge that 20% of relationships and marriages break down because of premature ejaculation¹, the corporation aspires to inspire and encourage men to take action against this disorder.  Though 1 out of 3 men²  suffer from this sexual dysfunction,  men tend to deny the condition and women would just keep silent  on how dissatisfied they are in the bedroom³ .

In the first ever summit on Premature Ejaculation, the media and celebrity couples freely talked on what they know about the topic, and offered insights.  The 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 catalysed an open discussion of the condition. Experts were also there to provide 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.  Those suffering from PE can begin by facing up to the issue.  Men and women need not suffer from stress, dissatisfaction, and insecurity. The topic should not  be confined within closed doors and whispered about in secret when they can get help.  Men should work with their partners.  Couples should be supportive of each other's needs and lack. Consulting with a doctor is the most crucial step. The problem of PE affects many but many choose to brush it away.  

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 (PE) 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 (PE) 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.”

Premature ejaculation is not just a physiological problem affecting men, it is an issue that affects relationships between partners, between husbands and wives. This statement encapsulates what the crux of the problem is. Awareness leads to better understanding, understanding 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 Premature Ejaculation --- primarily for Filipino couples. It offers prescription drug Dapoxetine to improve all measures of premature ejaculation, including control over ejaculation and sexual satisfaction for the couple. Dapoxetine is the first and only drug specifically developed for the treatment of premature ejaculation and is now approved in over 50 countries.

The company had set up a website that can help guide a man and his partner to determine if he indeed suffers from this condition. The Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT)) is a short five-question, psychometrically validated measure to help diagnose premature ejaculation. Those suspected to have premature ejaculation are then encouraged to speak to their physician for a thorough examination. The website also helps a sufferer find a doctor for him, so that he can get treatment for the condition that hurts him, his partner and their relationship: visit www.controlPE.ph.

References:

1.     McMahon CG, Althof SE, Kaufman JM, Buvat J, Levine SB, Aquilina JW, et al. Efficacy and safety of dapoxetine for the treatment of premature ejaculation: integrated analysis of results from five phase 3 trials. J Sex Med. 2011;8(2):524–39.

2.     McCarty EJ, Dinsmore WW. Dapoxetine: an evidence-based review of its effectiveness in treatment of premature ejaculation. Core Evid. 2012;7:1–14.

3.     Hellstrom, WJG. Emerging treatments for premature ejaculation: focus on dapoxetine. Neuropsychiatr Dis and Treat. 2009;5:37–46.

4.     Giuliano F and Clément, Pierre. Serotonin and premature ejaculation: from physiology to patient management. Eur Urol. 2006;50(3):454–466.

5.     Giuliano F. 5-Hydroxytryptamine in premature ejaculation: opportunities for therapeutic intervention. Trends Neurosci. 2007;30(2):79–84.

6.     Priligy® (dapoxetine). [Summary of Product Characteristics] Oct 2012.

7.     Wespes E, Amar E, Eardley I, Giuliano F, Hatzichristou D, Hatzimouratidis K, Montorsi F, et al. European Association of Urology: Guidelines on Male Sexual Dysfunction: Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. [Internet] 2013 Mar [cited 2013 Mar 18]. Available from: http://www.uroweb.org/fileadmin/guidelines/2012_Guidelines_large_text_print_total_file.pdf

8.     2013 Asia-Pacific Sexual Behaviours and Satisfaction Survey. [Internet] 2013 May. Available from: [INSERT LINK WHEN SG SURVEY REPORT IS UPLOADED ON WEBSITE]

9.     Symonds T, Perelman MA, Althof S, Giuliano F, Martin M, May K, et al. Development and validation of a premature ejaculation diagnostic tool. Eur Urol. 2007;52(2):565–73 .

10.   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.