Several definitions for PE exist but most are not evidenced based, lack specific operational criteria and rely on the subjective judgment of the diagnostician. Three common constructs underlie most definitions of PE:

I. a short ejaculatory latency - the time from penetration to ejaculation;

II. a lack of perceived self-efficacy or control about the timing of ejaculation; and

III. distress and interpersonal difficulty (related to the ejaculatory dysfunction).

PE is a male sexual dysfunction characterized by: ejaculation which always or nearly always occurs prior to or within about one minute of vaginal penetration from the first sexual experience (lifelong premature ejaculation), OR, a clinically significant reduction in latency time, often to about 3 minutes or less (acquired premature ejaculation), and the inability to delay ejaculation on all or nearly all vaginal penetrations, and negative personal consequences, such as distress, bother, frustration and/or the avoidance of sexual intimacy