Information concerning the epidemiology, etiology and treatment of premature (rapid) ejaculation is reviewed. Evidence concerning the prevalence of premature ejaculation indicates that subjective concern about rapid ejaculation is a common concern worldwide. Hypotheses concerning the pathogenesis of premature ejaculation include: (1) that it is a learned pattern of ejaculation maintained by interpersonal anxiety, (2) that it is the result of dysfunction in central or peripheral mechanisms regulating ejaculatory thresholds and (3) that it is a normal variant in ejaculatory latency. Current evidence based treatment interventions include behavioral psychotherapy and the use of pharmacological agents, including topical anesthetic agents and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.