PE 06. Sertraline combined with desensitization training for treatment of premature ejaculation: A single - center experience in South China

Objective: To assess the clinical efficacy of Sertraline and pharmacotherapy combined with desensitization training for treatment of premature ejaculation (PE).

Methods: A total of 50 male outpatients from south China who were more than 18 yr of age and in a stable monogamous relationship for 6 months were eligible if they met the ISSM criteria for PE. They were divided randomly into two equal groups: Pharmacotherapy group, administered with 50 mg Sertraline daily for 4 weeks; Combination group, administered with oral Sertraline (25 mg daily) and desensitization training twice per week for 4 weeks. The desensitization training was a behavioral technique that is used to diminish sense of subjective control of ejaculation under the clinician's educational interventions. The therapeutic efficiency was assessed by the score of CIPE-5 (Chinese index of sexual function for premature ejaculation) and intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT).

Results: After 4 weeks treatment, the overall effective rate in the two groups was 85.0% and 92.5%. The CIPE-5 score and IELT in the pharmacotherapy group were (12.6±3.2 min) and (3.6±2.3 min) after treatment, which were significantly higher than those before treatment (8.2±2.3 min, 0.8±0.5 min). In the combination group, they were (16.3±4.5 min) and (4.9±3.1 min) min after treatment, which were significantly higher than those before treatment (7.9±2.3 min, 0.9±0.4 min). The combination group had increased IELT (4.9±3.1 min), which was significantly higher than that (3.6±2.3 min) in the pharmacotherapy group (P<0.01). The side effects of Sertraline (25 mg daily) in the combination group were obviously lower than those of pharmacotherapy group (50 mg daily).

Conclusions: Combination therapy helps the patients improve ejaculatory control, reduce performance anxiety, and achieve other outcomes including greater sexual satisfaction and less distress.