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. 2011 Oct;3(5):211–222. doi: 10.1177/1756287211424172

Table 1.

Early definitions of premature ejaculation.

Organization Definition
The World Health Organisation (WHO) (International Classification of Diseases-ICD, 1994) [WHO, 1994] An inability to delay ejaculation sufficiently to enjoy lovemaking, which manifests as either of the following:
• occurrence of ejaculation before or very soon after the beginning of intercourse (within 15 seconds of the beginning of intercourse)
• occurrence of ejaculation in the absence of sufficient erection to make intercourse possible
Exclusion criteria: PE is not the result of prolonged absence from sexual activity.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), 2000) [APA, 2000] • Persistent or recurrent ejaculation with minimal sexual stimulation before, on or shortly after penetration and before the person wishes it. The disturbance causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty.
Exclusion: PE is not due exclusively to the direct effects of a substance (e.g. withdrawal from opioids) and factors that affect duration of the excitement phase, such as age, novelty of the sexual partner or situation, and recent frequency of sexual activity.
The European Association of Urology (EAU) (Guidelines on Disorders of Ejaculation, 2001) [Colpi et al. 2001] • The inability to control ejaculation for a sufficient length of time before vaginal penetration.
Exclusion: Impairment of fertility does not happen when intravaginal ejaculation occurs.
The American Association of Urology (AUA) (Guidelines on the pharmacologic management of premature ejaculation, 2004) [Montague et al. 2004] • Ejaculation that occurs sooner than desired, either before or shortly after penetration, causing distress to either one or both partners.

PE, premature ejaculation.