Female premature orgasm (FPO) is almost unknown in scientific literature. In Kaplan and Sadock’s Comprehensive textbook of psychiatry, two lines of text are written about this condition, which is classified as a not otherwise specified (NOS) sexual dysfunction. Whatever this entity is or not, it’s a common topic in internet sexual forums and chats. How many women are suffering from premature orgasm, which occurs sometimes even before intercourse or just by a little stimulation and with no more interest in continuing the sexual interaction, is unknown. It is also necessary to differentiate from persistent sexual arousal syndrome with which it is sometimes erroneously linked.

The aim of this study is to measure the extend of FPO.

A cross-sectional study was carried out with an analytical component concerning the sexual active female population in between 18–45 years old. A sample of women from general population (n=510) was invited to answer questionnaire in an exploratory evaluation. A four-criteria questionnaire was used to try to capture the extension and form of the syndrome: (a) occurrence and frequency of premature orgasm, (b) sense of loss of control with the orgasm, (c) difficulties in the relationship with partner, and (d) distress with the orgasm.

According to our results, around 40% of sexual active women have occasionally episodes of premature orgasm, 14% comprised criteria for probable case, and 3.3% comprised criteria for FPO.

To expand currently results, further studies are needed using larger samples and also with different ones as those collected in clinical settings.