Current therapies for premature ejaculation

•Premature ejaculation is highly prevalent, and has considerable effect on the quality of life.•The etiologies of lifelong and acquired premature ejaculation are different.•The pathophysiological mechanisms of premature ejaculation have not been entirely elucidated.•Current treatment options for premature ejaculation are oral, topical and behavioral therapies.•The significance of drug discovery, and the use of SSRIs for premature ejaculation are emphasized.

Premature ejaculation (PE) subjectively affects 20–30% of men globally. Until recently, understanding of PE was hampered by the absence of a widely accepted definition, paucity of evidence-based clinical studies, and the absence of an appropriate animal model. Here, we elaborate on the current definition of PE, its pathogenesis, currently available therapies, and future treatment prospects. Most treatments for PE are ‘off-label’ and include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), topical anesthetics, tramadol, and phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. Such knowledge of the benefit and limitations of each treatment will help to direct future drug design and formulations.