Researchers suggest that a mobile application engineered to address the fundamental psychological drivers of premature ejaculation can markedly enhance sexual satisfaction and prolong ejaculatory latency, while simultaneously mitigating the societal stigma associated with this condition.
Findings derived from the CLIMACS investigation are scheduled for presentation today, Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the European Association of Urology Annual Congress (EAU26) in London. This study represents a pioneering effort to evaluate a digitized, home-based therapeutic strategy for managing premature ejaculation.
The application acquaints individuals with a repertoire of therapeutic methodologies, practical advice, and exercises meticulously developed by urologists and psychologists. Furthermore, it furnishes evidence-based insights pertaining to the condition.
This structured regimen is formulated to empower men in managing their level of arousal and achieving superior command over the timing of ejaculation. It encompasses elements of mindfulness, heightened awareness of arousal stimuli, and cognitive behavioral therapy, in addition to practical physical exercises aimed at refining ejaculatory control, such as the start-stop technique.
Premature ejaculation poses a source of considerable distress within intimate encounters, and its manifestation varies among individuals. Men diagnosed with this condition typically experience climaxing sooner than intended during intercourse, often within 60 seconds of penetration. Affecting as many as 30% of the male population, it is heavily stigmatized, leading a mere 9% of affected men to seek professional medical assistance.
The etiology of premature ejaculation is multifaceted, encompassing interpersonal relationship challenges and psychological factors including anxiety, stress, and depression. For a substantial number of men, this precipitates worry and performance-related anxiety, potentially impacting their relationships. However, the most prevalent therapeutic interventions, such as pharmacological agents or topical applications, offer only symptomatic relief.
The CLIMACS study, conducted in Germany, aimed to ascertain if the information and therapeutic techniques disseminated through the Melonga App® could contribute to delaying ejaculation. Eighty men, free from other coexisting health conditions, were enrolled in the 12-week program. Participants completed a series of health questionnaires assessing their physical and psychological experiences during sexual activity and were instructed to utilize a stopwatch to record the duration from penetration to ejaculation. Following the initial 12-week period, individuals in the control cohort—who had not received any supplementary support from the study to manage their condition—were granted access to the application and monitored for an additional 12 weeks. A total of 66 participants furnished complete questionnaire data.
Among the participants utilizing the application, the overall duration from penetration to ejaculation experienced a twofold increase after 12 weeks, registering an average enhancement of 64 seconds (ascending from 61 seconds to 125 seconds). In contrast, the control group observed an average increase of merely 0.5 seconds.
Users of the app reported a marked improvement in their ability to control ejaculation during sexual activity, a reduction in anxiety linked to climaxing, and a diminished adverse impact on their relationships. Furthermore, significant enhancements were noted in measures of sexuality-related quality of life, such as enjoyment and self-assurance, among app users, contrasting with no discernible changes within the control group.
Post the 12-week intervention, 22% of men who engaged with the application indicated they were no longer experiencing premature ejaculation, based on their self-reported assessments.
The principal investigator of the study, Dr. Christer Groeben, affiliated with Marburg University and the Medical Faculty Heidelberg at Heidelberg University in Germany, will be presenting these findings at EAU26. He remarked, “Numerous men contending with premature ejaculation refrain from seeking assistance due to the inherent shame associated with the condition. Our research demonstrates that, as a home-based self-help instrument, this application can empower individuals to achieve greater control over their ejaculation and cultivate a satisfying sexual life without sacrificing spontaneity.
“The pharmaceutical treatments commonly available are designed to address symptoms exclusively, not the root cause, which often leads to discontinuation by many men. These individuals may remain inadequately treated, carrying a substantial psychological burden that can severely affect the quality of their relationships. Consulting a medical professional can represent a formidable initial step; therefore, an application of this nature can serve as a crucial bridge by normalizing the condition as amenable to treatment.”
Dr. Giorgio Russo, an Associate Professor of Urology at the University of Catania in Italy and the Chair of the EAU Office of Young Academic Urologists, commented, “There exists an abundance of both accurate and misleading information accessible to men experiencing premature ejaculation. Consequently, this application has been conceptualized by urologists and psychologists as an innovative means to consolidate the most efficacious guidance into a singular, readily accessible, and trustworthy, evidence-based resource. The research indicates its capacity to effectively resolve the condition in nearly a quarter of patients, a significant advancement as these individuals were treated without resorting to medication. I believe it would be beneficial to build upon this research with a more extensive study, investigating the impact of a digital approach on partner satisfaction, rather than solely focusing on the users.”
The definitive outcomes of the CLIMACS study, which have not yet undergone peer review, are anticipated for publication later this year. The application is presently accessible in Ireland, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, and Belgium.
