Lifelong Premature Ejaculation and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Controlled Study

BACKGROUND: In males, one of the most common sexual dysfunction is lifelong premature ejaculation. Sexual dysfunctions, including premature ejaculation, are highly prevalent in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in patients with lifelong premature ejaculation. METHODS: In this study, 48 patients diagnosed with lifelong premature ejaculation and 40 controls were included. All patients and controls were asked to fill out Wender–Utah Rating Scale-25 and Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale. Patients also filled out the Arabic Index of Premature Ejaculation and Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool. RESULTS: Totally 20 patients (41.66%) with lifelong premature ejaculation and 2 (5%) controls were diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The mean scores of the Wender–Utah Rating Scale-25, Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale, and Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale-hyperactivity–impulsivity subscale were higher in the case group (P = .001, P = .001, and P < .001, respectively). No difference was found between the 2 groups in terms of the Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale-Inattention subtype (P = .492). In the lifelong premature ejaculation group, 13 patients (65%) diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder were found to be attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder-predominantly hyperactivity/impulsivity subtype. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the current study reveal that patients with lifelong premature ejaculation should be assessed carefully in terms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, especially hyperactive and impulsive characteristics, and the relationship between lifelong premature ejaculation and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder should be examined by further studies with large samples.