Researchers suggest physical therapy for dealing with premature ejaculation

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Seville in Spain, evaluated the effectiveness of prescribing physical therapy interventions for treating PE, and compared this with drug-based approaches such as dapoxetine.

Dapoxetine is a proven selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) approved for use for the treatment of premature ejaculation. Dapoxetine works on the body’s serotonin receptors to enhance ejaculatory delay.

Initially prescribed for depression and anxiety, researchers found that dapoxetine’s quality as a fast-acting antidepressant - able to almost fully leave the body within 4-6 hours - can be beneficial for delaying ejaculation.

The researchers noted that, while dapoxetine produces faster improvements, physical therapies and rehabilitation-based strategies were also able to provide clinically meaningful results - all without the risk of developing adverse effects associated with taking medication.

The researchers noted that dapoxetine produced faster improvements, especially when it came to increasing intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT), or the time it takes between the beginning of vaginal penetration and ejaculation. Premature ejaculation is defined as having an IELT period of less than 1 minute, and accompanied by loss of control over ejaculation.

While dapoxetine works well, researchers noted that relying solely on pharmacological treatment had its drawbacks. Dapoxetine is associated with several adverse effects, from milder conditions like nausea and dizziness to more serious concerns like fatigue, insomnia, and diarrhea. Experiencing any of these effects leads to reduced treatment adherence.

Researchers noted that, while dapoxetine is very effective and can lead to clinically substantial increases in ejaculation time within weeks of beginning treatment, men who are concerned about adverse effects and of relying solely on pharmacologic treatment may turn to physical therapies as a noninvasive alternative.

The Seville University review noted that, of the six studies that they analyzed involving PE, they were able to identify several rehabilitation-based approaches that greatly improved ejaculatory control.

Researchers did not find any negative drawbacks to engaging in these physical therapies.

One of the most recommended physical therapies is pelvic floor training. Strengthening pelvic floor muscles helps control the ejaculatory reflex. This, combined with complementary therapies such as yoga, breathing exercises, stretching exercises, and even therapies like electrostimulation and acupuncture, can further enhance ejaculatory control.

“According to numerous studies, it has been shown that in cases of premature ejaculation, there is pelvic floor dysfunction, often characterized by hypertonicity, which not only leads to a lack of muscle relaxation, but also to muscle weakness,” noted Esther M. Medrano-Sanchez, from the University of Seville’s Department of Physiotherapy. “All of this reduces the ability to control the ejaculatory reflex.”

“Proper management of the pelvic floor muscles - both to contract them effectively and to learn to relax them - combined with flexibility and mobility exercises for the abdomino-lumbopelvic region, as well as breathing exercises, form the basis of physical therapy treatment for ejaculation disorders, increasing IELT, as has been demonstreated in various clinical trials,” she concluded.