Assessment of the Quality of Life of Men with Premature Ejaculation

Sexual health is an integral part of the quality of life of every person, as it is of great importance for the physical and mental well-being of individuals, couples, families, and, accordingly, for the social and economic development of communities and countries. The objective: to assess the impact of premature ejaculation (PE) on the quality of life of men depending on the degree of clinical manifestations. Materials and methods. 89 men who had premature ejaculation were under observation. The average age of the patients was 32.6±4.2 years. The average duration of the disease was 4.6±2.4 years. 22 (24.7%) patients had secondary (acquired) premature ejaculation against the background of chronic prostatitis or prostatic vesiculitis. Other 67 (75.3%) men had a primary (congenital) form of premature ejaculation, which began with the beginning of sexual life. The premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT) was used to determine the severity of premature ejaculation. Quality of life was assessed on the basis of Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire – Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) (). Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used for screening detection of anxiety and depression. Study of medical and social characteristics based on the developed program was performed and the sensitivity of the penis was also assessed using biotensiometry. Results. It was established that men with premature ejaculation have a low satisfaction with life (76.4%), against the background of complete (55.1%) or partial (44.9%) dissatisfaction with their sexual life. Premature ejaculation has a negative impact on their daily life, as it leads to negative experiences (92.1%), reduced work capacity (41.6%), deterioration of relations with a wife or partner (48.3%), a feeling of exhaustion and fatigue (32.6%). When evaluating the results of the PEDT diagnostic test, according to the severity of the manifestations, men had a mild (50.5%), medium (31.5%) or severe (18%) degree. A clear correlation between the decline in men’s quality of life and the severity of premature ejaculation was noted (Spearman’s r = –0.938; p<0.01). The data of anxiety and depression scales indicated their high level, which also depended on the degree of severity of premature ejaculation manifestations (Spearman’s r = 0.790; p<0.01) and negatively affected the quality of life (Spearman’s r = –0.760; p<0,01). According to the data of biotensiometry, hypersensitivity of the head of the penis was noted in men with premature ejaculation, in comparison with the data in the control group of men who did not have sexual disorders: 4.2±1.6 W and 12.4±2.6 W respectively (p<0.05). More pronounced indicators of penile hypersensitivity were observed in men with severe PE with a statistically significant difference compared to the indicators in the group of men with mild manifestations of PE (p<0.05) and without a significant difference compared to the indicators in the group of men with average by the degree of PE (p>0.05). Somewhat more pronounced indicators of penile hypersensitivity were observed in men with PE under the age of 30. Conclusions. Premature ejaculation is characteristic of men of young working age, which is accompanied by a negative impact on various areas of their life, and the development of anxiety and depression, as well as a decrease in the quality of life. This requires improving the organization of providing medical and psychological assistance to such patients.