One popular treatment medicine to combat Premature Ejaculation is Sertraline (Zoloft®). It is an antidepressant that has shown its potential in treating PE.
A clinical trial published in the International Journal of Impotence Research included 46 potent men diagnosed with premature ejaculation. They were given Sertraline from 25mg to 100mg per day. They experienced an increase in their ejaculation time and gave positive reviews about Zoloft®/Sertraline (3).
Today, we will see what premature ejaculation is, what causes it, and how sertraline, which is an antidepressant, can help treat PE.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Until now, there is not a clear, agreed-upon definition for premature ejaculation. It may be because of subjective experience, like different people’s perceptions about average ejaculation time.
According to the International Society of Sexual Medicine, “Premature ejaculation refers to when a person consistently ejaculates shortly before or within about one minute of vaginal penetration, either from their first sexual experience (lifelong PE) or due to a noticeable and bothersome reduction in time, often to about three minutes or less (acquired PE). It also involves the inability to delay the ejaculation during most vaginal penetrations, leading to personal distress, frustration, and/or avoidance of sexual intimacy. (4).”
Simply put, premature ejaculation (PE) is when a man reaches orgasm and ejaculates too quickly during sexual activity.
Premature ejaculation can be caused by various factors like:
Psychological Factors:
Biological Contributors to Early Ejaculation:
Other Factors:
Sertraline, also known as Zoloft®, is an antidepressant that helps with mental health issues by balancing chemicals in the brain.
It is a Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that increases the serotonin levels in the brain, which affects mood and emotions.
The FDA approves it for treating problems like depression, PTSD, OCD, and social anxiety.
Some studies suggest it might also help with premature ejaculation by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which affects sexual behavior as well.
Some research says that different chemicals in the brain affect sexual function and behavior. Serotonin is one of those chemicals that seem to control your climax and ejaculation time (5). If you don’t have enough serotonin, you might finish too soon.
Sertraline boosts serotonin levels, which might help delay the ejaculation time. Scientists have looked into whether it can help guys with premature ejaculation.
In 2019, another meta-analysis looked at 14 studies with 645 guys. They took different amounts of Sertraline each day, from 50 mg to 200 mg. The review found that Sertraline helped guys last longer and feel better about their sex life (6).
Another study in 2019 compared Sertraline with other similar drugs like Prozac, Paxil, and Celexa. They’re all SSRIs, like sertraline. This study suggested that all four drugs worked about the same for helping guys last longer during sex (7).
According to the American Urology Institution, the recommended dose of the tablet Zoloft®/Sertraline is:
All dosage forms and regimens are effective in delaying ejaculation and improving the sexual experience.
However, we would suggest consulting your doctor first before starting Zoloft®/Sertraline.
You can take Zoloft®/Sertraline either daily (25, 50, 100, or 200 mg) or 4 to 8 hours before the intercourse (50mg).
Both methods have been proven to make ejaculation take longer.
Taking higher doses might work better, but it could have serious side effects.
Although Zoloft®/Sertraline has been proven to be effective for premature ejaculation, ironically, this same drug can also decrease sex drive or cause problems with getting or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction).
Serotonin, by binding to certain parts of the brain, can affect the sex drive or the ability to have strong erections. Too much serotonin can negatively affect the sex drive, resulting in erectile dysfunction (difficulty getting or keeping an erection) or delayed ejaculation.
It’s not clear how many people might experience these sexual side effects of sertraline, but it’s thought that it could affect up to 80% of those taking similar medications (8).
First of all, be vocal about the side effects you’re experiencing. There is nothing wrong with talking to your doctor about any sex-related problem.
Your doctor will “taper off” your dose, which means gradually decreasing the drug dosage and replacing it with another drug with fewer side effects.
Please do not stop taking the drug on your own. The sudden stoppage of the drug can result in the “drug withdrawal syndrome.”
This can include experiencing unpleasant side effects like sleeplessness, lower sex drive, etc.
In order to escape the sexual dysfunction caused by SSRIs, men can take drugs like sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis).
Both men and women may also benefit from bupropion by adding it to their antidepressant treatment regime.
The other side effects of Sertraline include:
Both Sertraline (Zoloft®) and Escitalopram (Lexapro®) are the most commonly used SSRIs for treating major depression. However, both these drugs may have different treatment spectrum and side effects.
Let’s compare Sertraline (Zoloft®) and Escitalopram (Lexapro®):
| Characteristics | Zoloft | Lexapro |
| Uses | FDA-approved for: Major depressive disorder in people with 12+ years of ageObsessive-compulsive disorderPost-traumatic stress disorderPanic disorder (PD)Social anxiety disorder (SAD)Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) | FDA-approved for: Major depressive disorder in people with 8+ years of ageGeneralized anxiety disorder |
| Side effects | Stomach problems, sleepiness, racing heartbeat, tremors, blurred vision | Stomach problems, sleepiness, headache, |
| Sexual side effects | Delayed ejaculation Erectile dysfunction | Lower sex drive Inability to reach orgasm |
| Drug Quitting Frequency | About 12% of the patients taking Zoloft® quit taking it because of the side effects. | About 6-8% of the patients taking Lexapro® quit taking it because of the side effects. |
| Withdrawal symptom | Yes | Yes |
Sertraline is a type of medicine that helps increase a chemical called serotonin in the brain. The FDA approves it for treating different mental health problems. Sometimes, doctors also use it to help with premature ejaculation, even though it’s not officially approved for that.
Some small studies show that Sertraline might help with premature ejaculation. But it can also cause sexual problems like trouble getting or keeping an erection. It’s important to discuss with your doctor whether Sertraline is a good option for you.
References
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