Emotional Impact of Premature Ejaculation in Patients: A Qualitative Exploration.

Emotional Impact of Premature Ejaculation in Patients: A Qualitative Exploration, Eusebio Rubio Aurioles, Ivan Arango de Montis, and Nadine Terrein Roccatti, Asociacion Mexicana para la Salud Sexual A.C., Mexico

We explored the emotional impact of premature ejaculation as perceived by the patients with qualitative research methodology. Participants were selected from the patient database of the AMSSAC Sexual Health Clinic. A screening interview included the identification of inclusion and exclusion criteria (Inclusion: premature ejaculation diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR, between 20 and 55 years of age, heterosexuals, with active sexual life according to subject statements, with a single partner in the last 6 months, premature ejaculation had to occur at least twice a month, with at least high school education; Exclusion: use of medication that impairs sexual function). A 2-hour session focus group was conducted and recorded both in audio and video format. A complete transcript of the session was then analyzed to identify content following the principles of Grounded Theory, and categories of emotional impact were constructed and accommodated in a Mental Map. The following categories of impact were identified: Impact in the Patient, Impact in the Partner, Impact in the Family, Impact on Sexual Function, Impact on Comorbidities, especially alcohol abuse, and, interestingly, some positive impacts. The most extensive category here was impact in the patient, where the following areas of impact were identified: Identity (self-esteem and masculinity), Affective States (frustration and depressive feelings), Sexual Functioning (avoidance of sexual interaction), Interaction with Partner, and Social skills (diminished perceived capacity to approach a potential new partner).