Smartphone App Offers New Hope for Men with Premature Ejaculation
A new smartphone app is showing promise as a discreet and effective way to help men manage premature ejaculation (PE), a common condition affecting up to 30% of men worldwide. Research presented at the European Association of Urology Annual Congress (EAU26) in London on Saturday, March 14, 2026, details the positive results of the CLIMACS study, the first of its kind to test a digital-first approach to treating PE at home.
Understanding Premature Ejaculation
Premature ejaculation is characterized by ejaculating sooner than desired during sexual activity, typically within 60 seconds of penetration. It’s a highly stigmatized condition, leading only about 9% of affected men to seek medical help. The causes are complex, often involving a combination of psychological factors like anxiety, stress, and depression, as well as relationship issues. Existing treatments, such as pills or creams, primarily address the symptoms rather than the underlying causes.
How the Melonga App® Works
The Melonga App® provides a guided training program developed by urologists and psychologists. It teaches therapeutic techniques, offers tips and exercises, and delivers evidence-based information about PE. The app focuses on helping men manage arousal and gain better control over ejaculation through:
- Mindfulness exercises
- Arousal awareness techniques
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Physical exercises, such as the start-stop technique
The CLIMACS Study Results
The German-based CLIMACS study involved 80 men without other underlying health conditions who participated in a 12-week program. Participants used the app and tracked their ejaculatory latency using a stopwatch. After 12 weeks, the app users demonstrated a significant improvement, doubling the time from penetration to ejaculation – increasing by an average of 64 seconds (from 61 to 125 seconds). The control group, who did not employ the app, saw only a 0.5-second average increase.
Beyond increased ejaculatory latency, men using the app reported:
- Improved control over ejaculation
- Reduced worry related to ejaculation
- A positive impact on their relationships
- Significant improvements in sexuality-related quality of life, including increased enjoyment and confidence
Notably, 22% of men using the app reported no longer experiencing premature ejaculation based on self-reported measures.
Bridging the Gap in Treatment
Dr. Christer Groeben from Marburg University and Medical Faculty Heidelberg at Heidelberg University, Germany, the lead researcher of the study, emphasized the app’s potential to overcome the stigma associated with seeking help for PE. “Many men don’t seek help because of the shame associated with the condition. Our study shows that, as an at-home self-help tool, this can support men to improve control of their ejaculation and achieve a satisfying sex life without losing spontaneity,” he stated.
Dr. Giorgio Russo, Associate Professor of Urology at University of Catania, Italy, and Chair of the EAU Office of Young Academic Urologists, highlighted the app’s value as a trusted and accessible resource. “There’s much information and misinformation out there for men who find they have premature ejaculation, and so this app is devised by urologists and psychologists as a new way to bring together the most effective advice into a single, easily accessible and trusted, evidence-based resource. The research shows it can completely treat almost a quarter of patients, which is a huge development because these men were treated without pills.”
The final results of the CLIMACS study are expected to be published later in 2026. The app is currently available in Ireland, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, and Belgium.