Between 30 and 40 per cent of men are believed to suffer from the frustrating condition called premature or rapid ejaculation. Premature ejaculation is said to be occurring when a lack of ejaculatory control interferes with sexual or emotional well-being in one or both partners.

A previous research from scientists in The Netherlands had linked premature ejaculation to a specific gene that helps regulate serotonin. The latest research has now confirmed a genetic link to premature ejaculation with stronger clinical evidence. During this research project, more than three thousand men—all pairs of male twins and their older or younger brothers were interviewed about the first time they had sex. Most of the persons surveyed revealed that they had suffered from erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation at their first sexual encounter.

Erectile dysfunction is already being treated successfully by using oral medication like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, sex therapy, vacuum devices and penile injections. Researchers believe that the increasing evidence for a genetic cause of premature ejaculation opens the way for the development of new drug treatments, something that many men might benefit from.