A. Menarini works with urologists to increase awareness on PE

MANILA, Philippines - A. Menarini Philippines and the Philippine Urological Association (PUA) have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to jointly implement an advocacy campaign on premature ejaculation (PE).

“One in three men has PE, making it the most common male sexual disorder, even more prevalent than erectile dysfunction (ED). Yet because of the social stigma attached to PE, very few couples and even fewer men dare speak about it,” said PUA president Dr.
Ulysses Quanico.

“The PUA is pleased to partner with A. Menarini Philippines in bringing out into the open a condition long considered a taboo subject. By increasing awareness on PE, we aim to encourage Filipino couples struggling with PE to seek medical help so that they can regain control of their relationship,” said PUA vice president Dr. Jaime Songco.

To provide the general public with easy access to information about PE, A. Menarini Philippines and the PUA have put up a dedicated website (www.controlPE.ph) and e-mail ([email protected]).

Men typically experience orgasm and expel semen within four to eight minutes after the start of sexual intercourse. PE occurs when a man is unable to control or delay ejaculation on or shortly after vaginal penetration, resulting in short latency time and decreased sexual satisfaction, as well as personal distress and interpersonal difficulty.

PE can put a heavy emotional burden on a man, producing strong feelings of shame, inferiority, low self-esteem and inadequacy, particularly for failing to satisfy his partner.

“While it directly affects men, PE is a couple’s problem. PE negatively impacts a woman’s sexual satisfaction, leading to a breakdown in the couple’s relationship,” said Songco.

PE negatively affects intimacy and leaves couples feeling there is “something missing” in their relationship. Men with PE are often reluctant to discuss their condition or are in denial. Fearing they would hurt the man’s feelings, women avoid raising the topic. This communication gap hinders PE diagnosis and treatment. Left untreated PE can cause relationship stress.

Quanico said PE is different from ED. “In ED, the man cannot achieve or maintain an erection. In PE, the man may have normal erection but lacks control in ejaculation. ED is most common among older men, while PE cuts across a wide range of age group affecting men 18 to 65 years old,” he said.

“The exact cause of PE remains unknown. But we do know that PE is multi-factorial, involving a complex interplay of both psychological and biological factors. Once diagnosed, PE is treatable. The first step in controlling PE is to consult your doctor,” Quanico added.

Effective treatment options include medications, psychological counseling and sexual techniques that delay ejaculation. For many men, a combination of treatments works best. 

“Dapoxetine, an innovative drug specifically developed to treat PE, will soon be available in the Philippines. Combined with psychological and relationship counseling, Dapoxetine can help men and their partners regain control of their intimacy and relationship,” said Dr. Maria Carolina de Quiroz, medical affairs director of A. Menarini Philippines.

“We are honored to partner with the PUA in shedding light on PE and helping Filipino couples enjoy a healthy, fulfilling relationship,” said Ninia Torres, general manager of A. Menarini Philippines. 

Founded in 1957, the PUA is the country’s specialty society for urologists. Urologists are specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the male and female urinary tracts, as well as of the male reproductive organs. To date, the PUA has 450 members.

A. Menarini Philippines is the local affiliate of Italy’s leading research-based pharmaceutical company, the Menarini Group.