[THE FIRST CROATIAN GUIDELINES FOR DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND FOLLOW-UP OF PERSONS WITH PREMATURE EJACULATION]

Abstract

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a sexual disorder with high prevalence, defined by three characteristics: short intravaginal ejaculation latency time, poor control over delaying ejaculation and personal and/or partner distress. The diagnosis is reached by a thorough and comprehensive history taking, which should include presence/absence of other ­co-morbid conditions (e.g. erectile dysfunction, anxiety), and assessing the type of PE (primary, secondary, variable, subjective). It is important to counsel the patient (and, if possible, the partner) about this condition and treatment options. The first line of treatment is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (dapoxetine, which is the only drug with an official label for this indication, paroxetine, sertraline, fluoxetine, citalopram, escitalopram). The first line of treatment also includes psychological/sexological treatment methods, such as behavioural methods (stop-start and squeeze techniques), and new functional sexological treatment. The choice of the method depends on the type of PE and on the patient preference. The second line of treatment are clomipramine and local anaesthetics, and the third line is tramadol.