The effect of diafragmatic breathing exercises applied by adding to the behavioral therapy methods and pelvic floor physiotherapy on intravaginal ejaculation time in individuals with premature ejaculation

Premature ejaculation (PE) is defined as an intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) of less than 60 seconds and seen the most common sexual dysfunction among men. The aim of the this study is to investigate the effect of diafragmatic breathing exercises on men who have PE. Sixty two men with PE aged between 20/45 years were included in the study and randomly divided into two groups. Group I (n=31) and Group II (n=31) received behavioral therapy and pelvic floor rehabilitation for 8 weeks, 3 days a week, 2 times a day. As well as behavioral therapy and pelvic floor rehabilitation, breathing exercise was given to Group I for each day, 2 sessions a day, at least 10 times per session, for 8 weeks. The treatment protocol includes behavioral therapy and pelvic floor rehabilitation was applied in 4 steps. Evaluations were made by a blinded evaluatorin before treatment and at the end of the 8th week. The IELT were calculated with stop watch, pelvic floor muscle contraction force variability (US S) and endurance (US E) were evaluated with ultrasound, and changes in the autonomic nervous system (RMSSD, PNN50, LF Power, HF Power, LF/HF) were evaluated with Elite-HRV device. Twenty nine (mean age=31.4±6.5) in Group I and 30 (mean age=31.3±7.6) in Group II (total 59) completed the study. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of demographic characteristics and pre-treatment IELT (p˃0.05). At the end of 8 weeks, there was a significant difference in all measurement parameters, except LF/HF (all p=0.000). When the changes were compared before and after treatment, IELT (p=0.016), RMSDD (p=0.000), PNN50 (p=0.001), LF Power (p=0.001), HF Power (p=0.006), US S (p=0.000), US E (p=0.000) were significant in favor of Group I. In conclusion, individuals with PE, when diafragmatic breathing exercises added to behavioral therapy and pelvic floor rehabilitation, showed a greater increase in IELT. Keywords: Premature Ejaculation, Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation, Diafragmatic Breathing Exercises, Behavioral Therapy, Intravaginal Ejaculation Latency Time