Age-related differences in the prevalence of premature ejaculation: taking a second and more detailed look

Background: Research indicates an inconsistent relationship between age and the prevalence of premature ejaculation (PE), with studies reporting an increase, decrease, or no change with age.

Aim: To reexamine the possible relationship between age and PE prevalence, implementing methodological improvements that enhance the likelihood of detecting real effects.

Methods: From a sample of 2772 men, we analyzed a subset of 418 classified as having probable or definite PE based on the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool. We not only analyzed men with lifelong PE (LPE; n = 316) and acquired PE (APE; n = 102) separately but assessed prevalence differences across age groups using an omnibus measure to establish PE status and specific PE diagnostic criteria, individually and in multifactorial combination.

Outcome: Prevalence of PE in younger vs older men.

Results: LPE, but not APE, showed age-related differences in prevalence, with LPE being lower in the higher age group. This pattern was most discernible when a multifactorial approach was used to establish PE status.

Clinical translation: Older men may be less distressed about their dysfunction or may benefit from diminishing ejaculatory function with age.

Strengths and limitations: This cross-sectional study used an improved methodology to detect age-related differences in PE prevalence. Future studies would benefit from a larger sample size that enables a breakdown of prevalence using a greater number of age categories.

Conclusion: According to an improved methodology, men with LPE showed a decline in prevalence with aging. A methodology aimed at exploring this relationship should-at the very least-not only distinguish between LPE and APE subtypes but also consider using a multifactorial method of determining PE status that includes a measure of bother/distress.