Can I Take Sertraline For Premature Ejaculation?

What Is Sertraline?

Sertraline is an antidepressant that belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class.

SSRIs help to block the reabsorption of serotonin into neurons. This makes more serotonin readily available to be transmitted between neurons.

This process is selective, meaning that it works only on serotonin and not other neurotransmitters. With increased serotonin levels, the hormone helps to stabilize our mood and feelings of well-being.

Sertraline is sold under the brand name Zoloft. On top of depression, it is also sometimes used to treat panic disorders, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

However, SSRIs have several side effects, one of which includes delaying orgasms.

By boosting serotonin levels in the body, SSRIs like Sertraline can cause a delayed reaction in parts of the brain that controls ejaculation. This prolongs the time it takes to orgasm.

That is why Sertraline is sometimes prescribed to people experiencing PE.

What Is Premature Ejaculation?

In short, premature ejaculation happens when a man ejaculates earlier than his partner would like during sex.

International guidelines from a unified study generally define PE as ejaculating within 1 minute of having sexual intercourse.

In comparison, some scientific journals report that average male ejaculation time hovers around 5 to 7 minutes.

Once these early orgasms become distressful, the issue can be medically diagnosed as PE by doctors.

Today, treatment for PE such as medication and sex therapy are readily available. They are highly effective methods that can help men delay their orgasms.

Can Sertraline Help With Premature Ejaculation?

Research on Sertraline use and its efficacy on PE has not been very well studied.

As such, we generally don’t recommend Sertraline as a treatment option for PE.

However, some studies that examined the effects of Sertraline have found that men who took them had longer ejaculatory intervals.

One small study from 1998 documented 46 normally potent men who experienced PE. The men ranged from 22 to 63 years old.

The men then started at doses of 25 mg daily and moved up to 50 mg, and 100 mg daily, over a course of 6 weeks.

The study found that those who took 25 mg doses of Sertraline had longer average ejaculatory intervals (the time taken between the start of intercourse and ejaculation). At this dose, orgasms were delayed from 1 minute to 7.6 minutes.

As for the 50 mg dose, orgasms were delayed to an average ejaculatory interval of 13.1 minutes.

The highest dose at 100 mg lengthened ejaculation by up to an average of 16.4 minutes.

However, while Sertraline was effective in delaying ejaculation, the researchers noted in their report that some of the men in the study reported adverse side effects.

These side effects include:
•Dizziness
•Minor Dyspepsia (indigestion)
•Drowsiness and Anorexia
•Anejaculation (inability to ejaculate semen)
•Anxiety
•Erectile Dysfunction

In a separate larger study published in 2006, researchers conducted tests of Sertraline on 146 men suffering from PE.

Researchers found that Sertraline helped to delay ejaculation in men with PE, but found that about 66% of men suffered a relapse in PE following withdrawal from the drug.

More cohort studies need to be done in the long term to evaluate Sertraline’s use on ejaculation latency (a measure of delay).

Read More: The 7 Best Vitamins and Supplements for Premature Ejaculation

Is Sertraline Safe And Should I Still Consider Taking It For PE?

Sertraline is overall a safe drug to take over a long time, but its side effects could be counterintuitive to PE treatment.

Some side effects can include a lower sex drive and erectile dysfunction.  

In one study published by the Asian Journal of Urology, researchers noted that people who took it daily during PE treatment reported side effects of drowsiness, vertigo, and diarrhoea.

Although Sertraline helps to prolong ejaculation, these side effects can overall cause lower levels of enjoyment during sexual activity.

While we stress again that we don’t recommend Sertraline as a treatment option for PE, your doctor knows best. Remember to always consult a doctor beforehand if you are unsure, as Sertraline can interfere with other medications.

If you are looking for remedies for PE-related issues, doctors on our platform can help. With discreet online consultations, click here to see our available treatment options for PE.

Side Effects Of Sertraline

Sertraline is generally well-tolerated in both pill and liquid form but it has a number of side effects to watch out for.

Most commonly, Sertraline is hard on the stomach. While it can be helpful in delaying ejaculation, there have been many instances where the drug can increase the risk of gastrointestinal problems.

In some cases, if you are prone to bleeding problems or ulcers, Sertraline may not be safe as it can raise the risk of bleeding complications.

Common side effects:
• Anxiety
•Insomnia
•Nausea
•Diarrhoea
•Headaches

Less common but more serious potential side effects:
• Suicide attempts
•Feelings of aggressive or violent behaviour
•New or worsened depression
•Reduced sodium levels in the body
•Serotonin syndrome (a dangerous spike in the body’s serotonin levels)

See a doctor if you experience (signs of too much Sertraline):
• Vomiting
•Shaking
• Dizziness
• Fast heart rate
• Fits or Seizures

While Sertraline side effects tend to lessen over time, the side effects from Sertraline treatment may counteract the improvement in overall sexual desire.

In some studies, men have reported that their level of overall satisfaction with sex was the same as before Sertraline treatment due to the side effects of these medications.

Other Available PE Treatments

Medications remain one of the most effective ways to treat PE.

If you are worried about Sertraline’s side effects, an alternative that you can consider is Priligy.

What Is Priligy?

Like Sertraline, Priligy is also an SSRI, a short-acting dapoxetine that can be taken to lengthen ejaculation time.

It is an FDA-approved drug that is only used to treat PE.

Priligy works by boosting serotonin levels in the body. This helps to delay reactions in parts of the brain that controls ejaculation, prolonging the time it takes to climax.

In some studies, many men who have taken Priligy have reported “good” or “very good” control over their ejaculation.

Side effects of Priligy are also generally tolerable, depending on the dosage.

One study revealed that only about 5.6% of men reported feelings of nausea, headache, and dizziness at 50mg doses, while that number went up to 16.1% at 100mg doses.

In comparison, a separate study on Sertraline had over 38% of patients reporting similar side effects, with 25% citing it as “very bothersome” or “extremely bothersome”.‍

How Can I Start On Priligy?‍

If you’re thinking of taking Priligy, do note that it can only be distributed by a licensed medical professional for men aged 18 to 64.

Unlike Sertraline which requires daily use, Priligy is not intended for continuous daily use but only taken when sexual activity is anticipated. It should not be taken more than once every 24 hours.

For starters, the recommended dose for all patients is 30 mg. Patients should take it approximately 1 to 3 hours prior to sexual activity for maximum effectiveness.

However, remember to consult a doctor before starting on Priligy. Like Sertraline and other antidepressants, Priligy can interfere with certain health conditions and medications.

If you need help with PE-related issues, Noah can help. By filling in an online evaluation, doctors on our platform can assist you with the treatment of PE.

Alternative PE Treatments

Although drugs remain a 1st-line treatment for many against premature ejaculation, medications aren’t the only options available.

At a safer and lower cost, comes behavioural therapy, which is also just an effective way to treat PE.

Since PE can be caused by many factors, ranging from psychological to physiological, behavioural therapy can be an effective way to improve self-confidence and reduce anxiety and depression in men.

This can help alleviate psychological barriers, allowing men to train their sexual skills to delay ejaculation time.

In most cases, psychotherapy sessions use counselling to correct interpersonal problems, such as relationship issues, which are frequent causes of PE.

Combined with physical techniques including ‘stop-start’, ‘squeeze’, or pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation, these methods can help men orgasm later than expected.

In one study, behavioural therapy was noted to help delay ejaculation time, with a success rate of 45%-65%.

However, researchers had also noted that its benefits were generally short-lived, and the problem typically reoccurred but was still a good substitute for medication.

At Noah, we have 1-on-1 therapy sessions with licensed psychologists that can provide you with the support that you need.

The Takeaway

While Sertraline can help with premature ejaculation, as documented by studies, we recommend proper PE medication prescribed by doctors as it is safer.

Long-term Sertraline use might also carry unpleasant side effects that can counteract your overall sexual desire.

These side effects, while generally tolerable, can be frustrating to deal with if you are not used to the dosages (the usual dosage is 50mg a day in adults).

Alternative medication to Sertraline that you can consider is Priligy, which works by preventing the reuptake of serotonin into the body.

On top of that, drug-free alternatives such as behavioural therapy can help treat PE, especially psychological PE.

Don’t worry, we know that no one likes to experience PE or talk about it, but it is not an uncommon sexual dysfunction.

At Noah, we like to keep it discreet, from our consultations to our medications.

Doctors on our platform can help you with the treatment of premature ejaculation. From the comfort of your own home, you can talk to licensed doctors and have medications delivered to your door within 4 hours at free delivery.

To get started, all you have to do is complete an online evaluation so that we can best understand how to assist you. Every men’s sexual health journey should be a smooth and worry-free one, and we want that for you.