[Role of bulbocavernosus reflex to stimulation of prostatic urethra in pathologic mechanism of primary premature ejaculation].

OBJECTIVE

Primary premature ejaculation (PPE) is a prevalent sexual dysfunction among men while its precise pathologic mechanism has remained poorly understood. In current study the correlation between excitability of bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR) to stimulation of prostatic urethra and primary premature ejaculation was studied.

METHODS

Forty-two patients with PPE and 20 normal potent male volunteers were studied by inserting a specially designed Foley catheter with two electrodes mounted on its distal surface (intraurethral catheter electrode) into bladder to evoke the BCR to stimulation of prostatic urethra to record the sensory thresholds of BCR to stimulation of prostatic urethra, thresholds to evoke stable BCR and latencies of BCR. Also the sensitivity of glans penis to electrical stimulation was detected by two surface electrodes.

RESULTS

The mean sensory thresholds of BCR to stimulation of prostatic urethra, thresholds to evoke stable BCR, latencies of BCR and sensory thresholds of glans penis were (18.2 +/- 2.7) mA (0.2 ms in duration, 1 Hz), (34.8 +/- 4.2) mA (0.2 ms, 1 Hz), (71.2 +/- 5.8) ms and (14.2 +/- 1.9) mA (0.04 ms in duration, 3 Hz) in normal potent men respectively and were (12.4 +/- 3.7) mA (0.2 ms, 1 Hz), (23.8 +/- 5.6) mA (0.2 ms, 1 Hz), (70.5 +/- 6.3) ms and (11.9 +/- 2.3) mA (0.04 ms, 3 Hz) in patients with PPE respectively. Statistically significant differences were seen regarding the sensory thresholds of BCR to stimulation of prostatic urethra, the thresholds to evoke stable BCR and the sensory thresholds of glans penis between two groups (all P < 0.01). No statistically differences were seen regarding the latencies of BCR between two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Patients with PPE have hyperexcitable BCR to stimulation of prostatic urethra. It is probably one of the important etiological factors. Moreover the findings may provide new therapeutic modalities of PPE.