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Efficacy of sertraline hydrochloride in treatment of premature ejaculation: a placebo-controlled study using a validated questionnaire

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 18, pages 534–538 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are increasingly used to treat premature ejaculation. We report a large prospective placebo-controlled crossover study of sertraline in premature ejaculation (PE) using Arabic Index of Premature Ejaculation (AIPE). One hundred and forty-seven men suffering from PE were enrolled in a randomized single-blinded crossover study of sertraline hydrochloride and placebo. Patients were randomized into group 1 (n=77) and group 2 (n=70). Both groups received sertraline and placebo interchangeably for 4 weeks. Overall, 127 (81%) of 157 subjects experienced a significant increase in their AIPE total score after sertraline treatment. Sixty-six (66%) of 100 patients available for follow-up experienced relapse of PE within 6 months after sertraline withdrawal. The active drug was generally well tolerated. Our relatively large study, using a validated questionnaire (AIPE), confirmed the useful effect of sertraline on PE.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dr Fakhry Hospital, El-Khobar, Saudi Arabia

    M Arafa

  2. Department of Andrology, Cairo University Hospital, El-Manial, Cairo, Egypt

    M Arafa & R Shamloul

Authors
  1. M Arafa
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  2. R Shamloul
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to R Shamloul.

Appendix A1

Appendix A1

Arabic Index of Premature Ejaculation

Patient's name:______________ Patient's number:____________

Please respond to each question by circling ONLY ONE statement that best describes your condition.

Q1. How do you rate your sexual desire?

  1. a)

    very low

  2. b)

    low

  3. c)

    average

  4. d)

    high

  5. e)

    very high

Q2. How often do you have hard erections, with sexual stimulation, sufficient to complete sexual intercourse?

  1. a)

    almost never

  2. b)

    rarely

  3. c)

    sometimes

  4. d)

    often

  5. e)

    most of the time

Q3. How much time does it take from intromission to ejaculation (using a stop-watch)?

  1. a)

    <30 s

  2. b)

    around 1 min

  3. c)

    1–2 min

  4. d)

    2–3 min

  5. e)

    >3 min

Q4. How difficult is it for you to prolong your ejaculation time?

  1. a)

    most of the time

  2. b)

    often

  3. c)

    sometimes

  4. d)

    rarely

  5. e)

    almost never

Q5. How often was sexual intercourse satisfactory for you?

  1. a)

    almost never

  2. b)

    rarely

  3. c)

    sometimes

  4. d)

    often

  5. e)

    most of the time

Q6. How often was sexual intercourse satisfactory for your partner?

  1. a)

    almost never

  2. b)

    rarely

  3. c)

    sometimes

  4. d)

    often

  5. e)

    most of the time

Q7. During sexual intercourse, do you feel anxious, depressed or stressed?

  1. a)

    most of the time

  2. b)

    often

  3. c)

    sometimes

  4. d)

    rarely

  5. e)

    almost never

Date of assessment:_________________Doctor's initials:__________

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Arafa, M., Shamloul, R. Efficacy of sertraline hydrochloride in treatment of premature ejaculation: a placebo-controlled study using a validated questionnaire. Int J Impot Res 18, 534–538 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901469

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901469

Keywords

  • premature ejaculation
  • sertraline
  • questionnaires

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