Perceived intravaginal ejaculation latency time: The diagnosis of premature ejaculation among Vietnamese men

introduction: premature ejaculation (PE) is a prevalent sexual dysfunction in men that greatly affects their quality of life. In PE, the duration of sexual performance is considered an important aspect. However, a self-estimated value of intravaginal ejaculation latency time (perceived IELT, PIELT) as a criterion for diagnosis has not been specified. aim: this study aimed to determine the validity and a threshold value for PIELT in PE diagnosis.Method: In our cross-sectional study, we recruited 550 men fromMarch 2019 to January 2020 and interviewed them regarding their general demographic characteristics, sexual habits, PIELT and completed a premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT) questionnaire. eventually, a combination of a clinical diagnosis and PEDT score was used, in which those with PEDT >= 11 and diagnosed with possible PE were assigned to the final PE(+) group; those with PEDT score <= 8 and diagnosed with no PE were included in the final PE(-) group.Results: Men PE(-) had more frequent sexual intercourse (9.74 +/- 5.38 vs. 6.69 +/- 5.38 episodes per month, p < 0.001) and had higher marriage rate (72.7% vs. 60.4%, p = 0.002) than PE(+) patients. no significant difference was noted regarding age, smoking habit, age of first sexual experience, and number of sexual partners between the two groups. The mean PIELT of control subjects and PE(+) patients were 11.69 +/- 6.83 min and 2.01 +/- 1.21 min, respectively. On receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the cut-off value of PIELT of 3.75 min can be used to distinguish PE men (area under the curve= 0.982, sensitivity/specificity= 0.961/0.909), which means thatmenwith a PIELT <= 3.5min is suggestive of PE.Conclusion: The impact of PE is dramatic both from a social and a personal perspective. PE(+) patients married significantly less and have significantly lower sexual activity compared to a PE(-) population. furthermore, a PIELT of <= 3.5 min predicts PE demonstrating the need to revise its taxonomy and definition.