Discrepancy between male and female perceptions of ejaculation latency and sexual satisfaction: results from an online open survey

Abstract

Background: Premature ejaculation is a sexual dysfunction that can impact both men and women. This study aimed to shed light on this condition within a cohort as extensive as possible.

Materials and methods: We conducted an online open survey, distributed via social media, proposing a questionnaire regarding various aspects including the duration of ejaculatory latency, perceptions of premature or delayed ejaculation, as well as lifestyle and psychological aspects of sexuality. The questionnaire comprised 77 questions for male participants and 16 for female participants, with responses structured on a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5.

Results: A total of 1300 men and 1197 women participated in the survey, completing the entire questionnaire.The median age (IQR) of male participants was 27 (23-32) years, while that of female participants was 22 (19-35) years. Men reported a median (IQR) ejaculatory latency time of 17 (8-20) minutes during sexual intercourse, compared to 20 (15-20) minutes reported by women. Only 7.5% (98) of men and 5% (60) of women reported an ejaculatory latency time of less than 3 minutes in their last five sexual encounters (p=0.0001). Twelve percent (160) of men believed they consistently experienced premature ejaculation, whereas only 3% (41) of women reported this sensation (p=0.0001). Regarding satisfaction with ejaculatory latency time, 7% of men (85) expressed dissatisfaction, whereas only 2% of women (28) reported the same (p=0.0001). Conversely, only 12% of men (160) considered themselves completely satisfied, compared to 30% of women (358) (p=0.0001).

Conclusions: These analyses highlight a dissonance between male and female perceptions of premature ejaculation, not only in terms of actual intercourse duration but also in terms of psychological perception and sexual well-being. This should suggest a need to increase awareness among the population regarding the contrast between idealized sexual experiences and reality.