Rapid ejaculation: a review of nosology, prevalence and treatment.

Information concerning the epidemiology, etiology and treatment of premature (rapid) ejaculation is reviewed. Evidence concerning the prevalence of premature ejaculation indicates that subjective concern about rapid ejaculation is a common concern worldwide. Hypotheses concerning the pathogenesis of premature ejaculation include: (1) that it is a learned pattern of ejaculation maintained by interpersonal anxiety, (2) that it is the result of dysfunction in central or peripheral mechanisms regulating ejaculatory thresholds and (3) that it is a normal variant in ejaculatory latency. Current evidence based treatment interventions include behavioral psychotherapy and the use of pharmacological agents, including topical anesthetic agents and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.