A scientist at the University of Alberta has discovered a potential breakthrough for premature ejaculation, the most common sexual dysfunction in men, with the help of a drug usually used to treat anxiety disorder.

Dr. Pierre Chue, a psychiatry professor at the U of A, has found success in treating premature ejaculation (PE) with the use of gabapentin, better known by the brand name Neurontin.

“This disorder affects almost 40 per cent of males it is even more common than erectile dysfunction yet it is not talked about much and there has been very little research on it,” Dr Chue was quoted as saying.

The essential feature of the disorder is persistent ejaculation with minimal sexual stimulation before or shortly after penetration and before the person wishes it.

Currently, physicians prescribe medications that are known to influence receptors that delay ejaculation but these antidepressants also come with negative side-effects.

Dr. Chue is not certain how gabapentin works to improve PE but believes it has to do with the drug’s ability to increase aminobutyric acid (GABA), the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Since there are currently no specific treatments for PE, the use of gabepentin to prolong ejaculation warrants further study, according to Chue, particularly for those men where other therapies are ineffective or poorly tolerated.

More at http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1011668,00500016.htm