Drug treats premature ejaculation

The pills extended length of intercourse

Doctors are hailing a new drug that can prevent premature ejaculation during sexual intercourse.

A meeting of the American Urological Association heard how dapoxetine can lengthen the duration of intercourse by three to four times.

Experts believe up to a third of the male population has problems with premature ejaculation.

However, it will still be some time before the drug is available in pharmacies.

Premature ejaculation

The US drug approval agency the Food and Drug Administration is reviewing an application for dapoxetine, which was developed by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, an affiliate of Johnson and Johnson.

But a spokesman for Otho-McNeil said the company had not decided whether to make similar applications to European regulators.

Dapoxetine is chemically similar to a family of antidepressants called SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).

It's one of those hidden conditions that can cause terrible problems in a relationship and a great deal of embarrassment Professor Alan White, chairman of the Men's Health Forum

These types of antidepressants are known to have an impact on ejaculation.

Trials of dapoxetine have included 2,614 men aged 18-77 with premature ejaculation, who maintained monogamous sexual relationships for more than six months.

Each received 30mg or 60mg of dapoxetine or a dummy pill over 12 weeks.

Dapoxetine trebled the duration of intercourse. This beneficial effect occurred after the first dose and increased over the study period.

Lead researcher Dr Jon Pryor, who is a urologist at the University of Minnesota, said: "The impact premature ejaculation can have on men and their partners can be devastating for a relationship and, currently, there are no truly optimal therapies for premature ejaculation."

Professor Alan White, professor of men's health at Leeds Metropolitan University and chairman of the Men's Health Forum, said: "This is certainly a problem that affects many men - as many as one in three or four.

"It's one of those hidden conditions that can cause terrible problems in a relationship and a great deal of embarrassment.

"Men are often reluctant to discuss it with their doctor and if a medication became available, it might make them more willing to go and discuss the problem with their doctor."

He said some cases might be amenable to medical treatment, but emphasised that counselling was also important because psychological factors were often also involved.

"Talking can help. Hopefully this drug will also be able to help some men with this terrible condition."