Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Dapoxetine, Kegel Exercises, and Acupuncture in the Treatment of Premature Ejaculation: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Summary

This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of dapoxetine, Kegel exercises, acupuncture, and their placebo controls in the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE). PE is a common male sexual dysfunction characterized by ejaculation occurring within one minute of vaginal penetration, causing distress or interpersonal difficulties (Althof et al., 2014). A total of 250 male participants will be randomized into five groups (dapoxetine, placebo, Kegel exercises, acupuncture, sham acupuncture) for a 12-week treatment period followed by a 4-week follow-up. The primary outcome is the increase in intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT), with secondary outcomes including the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) score, Sexual Quality of Life-Male (SQoL-M) score, and adverse effects.

Timeline

Start

2025-10-01

Primary completion

2026-10-01

Completion

2026-12-01

Publications

• Results Sunay D, Sunay M, Aydogmus Y, Bagbanci S, Arslan H, Karabulut A, Emir L. Acupuncture versus paroxetine for the treatment of premature ejaculation: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eur Urol. 2011 May;59(5):765-71. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2011.01.019. Epub 2011 Jan 18.
• Results Pastore AL, Palleschi G, Fuschi A, Maggioni C, Rago R, Zucchi A, Costantini E, Carbone A. Pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation for patients with lifelong premature ejaculation: a novel therapeutic approach. Ther Adv Urol. 2014 Jun;6(3):83-8. doi: 10.1177/1756287214523329.
• Results McMahon CG, Althof SE, Kaufman JM, Buvat J, Levine SB, Aquilina JW, Tesfaye F, Rothman M, Rivas DA, Porst H. Efficacy and safety of dapoxetine for the treatment of premature ejaculation: integrated analysis of results from five phase 3 trials. J Sex Med. 2011 Feb;8(2):524-39. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.02097.x. Epub 2010 Nov 8.
• Results Althof SE, McMahon CG, Waldinger MD, Serefoglu EC, Shindel AW, Adaikan PG, Becher E, Dean J, Giuliano F, Hellstrom WJ, Giraldi A, Glina S, Incrocci L, Jannini E, McCabe M, Parish S, Rowland D, Segraves RT, Sharlip I, Torres LO. An Update of the International Society of Sexual Medicine's Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Premature Ejaculation (PE). Sex Med. 2014 Jun;2(2):60-90. doi: 10.1002/sm2.28.

Drugs

Indications