How Effective is Sertraline in the Treatment of Premature Ejaculation?
Oftentimes, there are no FDA-approved treatments to address certain issues. However, doctors often prescribe medications for off-label drug use. That means that the physician is prescribing the drug for a disease or condition other than what the FDA originally approved the drug for. When the FDA approves a drug, they also approve the conditions for which that drug can be prescribed. If the drug is prescribed for conditions other than those dictated by the FDA, that would be considered off-label use.
The use of Sertraline and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for the treatment of premature ejaculation is an example of an off-label use prescription. In other words, prescription medications such as Sertraline have not actually been approved by the FDA for the treatment of premature ejaculation. The effectiveness of SSRIs such as Sertraline in the treatment of premature ejaculation is the subject of this blog post.
What Are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are a class of antidepressant prescription drugs such as Paroxetine, Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Citalopram. Now how exactly do they work? Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (a chemical that carries signals between nerve cells in the brain). Serotonin is considered to have a positive influence on mood, emotions and sleep. After they’ve done their job of carrying a message, serotonin is re-absorbed by the nerve cells, a process known as reuptake. SSRIs work by blocking the reabsorption (or reuptake) of serotonin into neurons, leaving more serotonin available to pass further messages between brain cells. These increased serotonin levels can improve an individual’s mood and emotion. As such, it’s clear to see why SSRIs are often prescribed for individuals suffering from depression.
Why Are SSRIs Used for the Treatment of Premature Ejaculation?
If SSRIs are intended to treat depression, how did they end up becoming prescribed for the treatment of premature ejaculation? Through the use of SSRIs for the treatment of depression, one side effect that was noticed was a delayed orgasm for men and an inability to ejaculate as quickly. Future experimental evidence indicated that serotonin (5-HT), throughout brain descending pathways, exerts an inhibitory role on ejaculation. Therefore, an increased presence of serotonin (one of the intended outcomes of SSRIs) actually plays a role in delaying an individual’s ability to ejaculate. Three different 5-HT receptor subtypes (5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT2C) have been studied to affect 5-HT’s activity on ejaculation. Nonetheless, there is still much research to be done on the exact mechanism of action as to how serotonin production delays ejaculatory responses.
Is An SSRI Right For You?
SSRIs are often prescribed by doctors for the treatment of premature ejaculation after other avenues have been explored. The most common solution traditionally used for the treatment of premature ejaculation are topical numbing agents, such as wipes and sprays. However, these solutions come with a host of downsides, including diminished sensation during the sexual experience, difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection, and the possibility for the numbing agent to spread over to your partner.
Due to these downsides, individuals often seek out other solutions, such as SSRIs. The most popular SSRI for the treatment of premature ejaculation is Sertraline, a generic form of the antidepressant drug Zoloft. While studies have found SSRIs such as Sertraline to be relatively effective in the treatment of premature ejaculation, they, like the numbing agents used to treat premature ejaculation, also come with a whole host of negative side effects.
Side Effects of Sertraline for the Treatment of Premature Ejaculation
Sertraline’s FDA-prescribed use is for depression, anxiety and certain other mood disorders. In other words, it has not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of premature ejaculation. Nonetheless, it is often prescribed to be used for that purpose.
For individuals under the age of 24, the prescription of Sertraline for the treatment of premature ejaculation is quite worrisome, given that “Sertraline and other antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some people 24 years of age and younger, especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed.” For all individuals taking Sertraline, side effects include nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, or indigestion, increased sweating, tremor or shaking, agitation, change in sleep habits including increased sleepiness or insomnia, sexual problems including decreased libido and erectile dysfunction, feeling tired or fatigued, and anxiety.
Let’s spend some time looking at one of those side effects in additional detail: sexual problems including decreased libido and erectile dysfunction. In other words, to solve one’s premature ejaculation, one may actually lose their sex drive, completely defeating the point of wanting to solve one’s premature ejaculation problems in the first place. Without an ability to achieve and maintain an erection, or the desire to engage in intimate sexual experiences, both potential side effects from the use of Sertraline, one won’t even get to the point of testing the drug’s effectiveness for the treatment of premature ejaculation.
Consuming alcohol while taking Sertraline is not recommended. As such, this eliminates another social component that one may participate in if they are taking Sertraline for the treatment of premature ejaculation.
Additionally, once an individual starts taking Sertraline, stopping usage may cause serious side effects, including anxiety, irritability, high or low mood, feeling restless or sleepy; headache, sweating, nausea, dizziness; electric shock-like sensations, shaking, and confusion. As such, both taking Sertraline and stopping the use of Sertraline comes with side effects and symptoms.
Beyond the negative physiological effects that Sertraline has on an individual, it oftentimes is also not very practical. It is recommended that you take your dosage 4 - 8 hours before having sex. Sex often is not a pre-planned activity. As such, an inability to time the usage of Sertraline may further complicate its effectiveness.
Why mate endurance Could Be a More Effective Tool for the Treatment of Premature Ejaculation
Unlike Sertraline and other SSRIs, mate endurance is 100% drug-free, meaning it comes without the nasty side effects that are often associated with prescription drugs. mate endurance's main ingredient is 5-HTP (5-hyrdoxytryptophan), an amino acid which the body converts into serotonin. As such, mate endurance serves the same purpose as SSRIs of increasing the presence of serotonin in the brain, but does so through more natural bodily functions.
mate endurance is also a more practical solution over Sertraline for a couple of reasons. First, unlike Sertraline, it is intended to be taken once a day. That means you’re always ready whenever the moment arises. No longer do you have to anticipate when you’ll be getting lucky in order to take Sertraline 4 - 8 hours ahead of time.
Second, unlike Sertraline, which can cause erectile dysfunction and decreased sex drive, mate endurance can, in some cases, improve erectile function and increase libido and testosterone because of various natural ingredients included in the dietary supplement. For example, L-Citrulline is an amino acid in the dietary supplement which the body converts to L-Arginine. L-Arginine improves blood flow by increasing nitric oxide production, thereby improving erectile function. mate endurance also contains ingredients such as tribulus, which has been suggested to boost one’s sex drive.
Most importantly, however, is that mate endurance is a 100% drug-free, more natural solution to addressing premature ejaculation. That means you get to hold your head high and keep your body clean… whenever you get down and dirty.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.