A smartphone app designed to address the psychological causes of premature ejaculation can help men delay ejaculation and improve their sex lives, according to researchers presenting data on Mar. 13 at the European Association of Urology Annual Congress in London.
Premature ejaculation affects up to 30% of men and is often stigmatized, with only a small percentage seeking medical help. The new digital approach aims to provide support outside traditional clinical settings, potentially reducing barriers for those reluctant to seek treatment.
The CLIMACS study tested whether therapeutic techniques delivered through the Melonga App could benefit men experiencing premature ejaculation. Eighty participants without other health conditions took part in a 12-week program that included mindfulness, arousal awareness exercises, cognitive behavioral therapy, and physical exercises such as the start-stop technique. After using the app for 12 weeks, users doubled their average time from penetration to ejaculation—from 61 seconds to 125 seconds—while those in a control group saw almost no change.
Men who used the app reported better control during sex, less worry about ejaculation, and improved relationship satisfaction. Quality of life measures related to sexuality also improved among app users compared with no change in the control group. After three months, self-reported data showed that 22% of app users were no longer experiencing premature ejaculation.
Dr Christer Groeben from Marburg University and Medical Faculty Heidelberg at Heidelberg University led the study. He said, "Many men who live with premature ejaculation don't seek help because of the shame associated with the condition. Our study shows that, as an at-home self-help tool, this can support men to improve control of their ejaculation and achieve a satisfying sex life without losing spontaneity." Groeben added: "The most commonly available pharmacy therapies are designed only to treat the symptoms, not the cause, meaning many men discontinue them after a while. These men can remain under-treated and live with a considerable psychological burden that really starts to affect the quality of their relationships. Going to a doctor for help can feel like a big first step, and so an app like this can help to bridge that gap by normalising the condition as treatable."
Final results from CLIMACS have not yet been peer reviewed but are expected later this year. The Melonga App is currently available in Ireland, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Belgium.
