Published on 05 December 2021

Sertraline For Premature Ejaculation: Things You Know

Sertraline (Zoloft) sertraline-for-premature-ejaculation-things-you-know
Table of Contents

Mood disorders are one kind of mental health issue that affects your daily well-being; Depression is the most major illness that affects everyone. When you face symptoms like feeling lonely, irritability, nervousness, sadness, crying, less interest in others, and hopelessness. 

When you are affected by the physiological factors, your depression level will be low, and thus it interacts with the cognitive process it is associated with male sexual characteristics,  Thus impaired sexual function will lead to premature ejaculation. 

In the US, about 30% to 70% Males experience premature ejaculation in their lifetime.
Sertraline is a drug used in the treatment of premature ejaculation.  Premature ejaculation is curable with proper medical advice and techniques that help you delay ejaculation; let us discuss it in detail.  

What Is Sertraline?

Sertraline belongs to a group of anti-depression called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The Food and drug administration approved the drug for the treatment of

  • Major  depressive disorders
  •  panic disorder
  •  obsessive-compulsive disorder 
  • social anxiety disorder,
  • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

The FDA does not recommend the drug sertraline for the treatment of premature ejaculation. Therefore, it is used as an off-label use.

What Is Premature Ejaculation?    

It is a common sexual problem affecting 30% of people in their lifetime. Premature ejaculation can be known when the semen exit the penis sooner, more often during sexual intercourse, and there is no specific medication approved by the food and drug administration for the treatment of premature ejaculation.

Since there is no drug to treat premature ejaculation, a healthcare provider commends a therapy according to your symptoms and causes. Therefore the drug sertraline is used to treat the condition. 

Frequently asked questions

Sertraline takes around four weeks to work for both depression and premature ejaculation. However, it depends upon the dosage and your health conditions. Do consult your doctor before taking the drug.
Yes, in some cases, about 1% to 1.6% of initial body weight gain is seen when the users use it for more than six months longer; in short-term usage of the drug, weight gain is not seen.
No, Sertraline is not a controlled substance. It is an antidepressant group that works for depression, OCD, and other mood disorders.

How Sertraline Works For Premature Ejaculation?

Sertraline belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. The drug works by increasing the serotonin level in your brain. Serotonin is known as the neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger present in the brain that is involved in regulating the daily human body senses by power, memory, sleep and learning.

Researchers say when your serotonin becomes low, you develop depression symptoms which is the leading cause of depression attacks. Low serotonin levels will also lead to ejaculation earlier; Sertraline helps in requiring sexual activity and improves ejaculatory control. 

The drug sertraline works by increasing the serotonin level in your brain, thus maintaining calm and improving an overall mood. 

Dosages Of Sertraline

Adult Dosage For Depression

  • Starting dose: 50 mg orally once a day
  • Maintenance dose: 50 to 200 mg orally a day.

Adult Dosage For Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

  • Starting dose: 50 mg oral a day 
  • Maintenance dose: 50 to 200 mg oral a day.

Adult Dosage For Panic Disorder 

  • Starting dose: 25 mg a day 
  • Maintenance dose: 50 to 200 mg a day 

Dosage For Social Anxiety Disorder 

  • Starting dose: 25 mg a day.
  • Maintenance dose: 50 to 200 mg 

Dosage For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

  • Starting dose: 50mg once a day during the menstrual cycle.
  • Maintenance dose: 50 to 150 mg during the menstrual cycle.  

A Study Of Sertraline For Premature Ejaculation

Research has proven Sertraline to be both safe and effective for the use of premature ejaculation. It can be more effective alongside behavioural and psychological treatments. 

St. Luke Hospital Complex, Sydney, Australia, conducted a study to assess the efficiency of Sertraline for Premature Ejaculation.

In dose-ranging research, 46 average potent men aged 22 to 63 years (mean 42 years) with premature ejaculation were treated with oral Sertraline. All males were married or committed. One minute was the average ejaculatory interval (0-5 min). All men were started on 25 mg of Sertraline per day, which was increased to 50 mg after three weeks and 100 mg after another three weeks. There was no formal psychosexual counselling for the men.

The mean ejaculatory interval rose to 7.6 minutes with a dose of 25 mg (range 0-20 min). The mean ejaculatory interval rose to 13.1 minutes at a dose of 50 mg (range seven even minutes-anejaculation), with four men having an ejaculation. This means ejaculation increased to 16.4 minutes at a dose of 100 mg. 

One male had transitory dizziness after using 25 mg. One guy reported drowsiness and anorexia after taking 50 mg, while another had slight dyspepsia. Two men had erectile dysfunction and reduced libido after taking 100 mg, two men reported transitory drowsiness and anorexia, two men reported slight dyspepsia, and two men reported anxiety. Sertraline appears to be a promising drug for the treatment of premature ejaculation. 

Possible Side Effects Of Sertraline  

Sertraline has the potential to have adverse side effects. If any of these symptoms are:
If it is severe, contact your doctor.

Some of the common side effects are,

Heartburn
Weight gain
Weight loss
Seizures
Loss of Appetite
Changes in Sex Drive

Inform your doctor if you have any worsening symptoms, such as changes in mood, behaviour, trouble sleeping, irritability, aggressiveness, hyperactivity, and thoughts of thoughts.

if you have any symptoms like

  • unusual bleeding
  • seizure
  • low sodium, such as headaches, confusion, and memory problems.
  • Vision changes like eye pain, redness and swelling.
  • Manic episodes like racing thoughts increase energy,  being more happy and talkative.
  • Serotonin syndrome, including hallucinations, agitation, fever, muscle weakness, and vomiting.

Seek medical attention immediately if you face any drug's severe side effects. 

How To Consume Sertraline For Premature Ejaculation?

A person needs a prescription from their doctor to use it.
The dose can vary from patient to patient. This depends on your doctor. The dosage could go as low as 25mg to 50mg and, at times, 200mg. 

Other Drugs For Premature Ejaculation

Escitalopram: Escitalopram is an antidepressant and anxiety medication. It works by assisting in the restoration of a natural substance (serotonin) equilibrium in the brain. Escitalopram belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors class of medicines (SSRI). It may increase your energy and emotions of well-being while also reducing anxiousness resulting in a delayed orgasm.

Paxil: When administered on a chronic, 'on-demand basis following regular treatment, paroxetine hydrochloride appears to be a helpful drug in treating ejaculation.

Fluoxetine: The active element of Prozac, fluoxetine, is effective in treating PE in studies. Prozac's efficacy as a treatment for premature ejaculation is thought to be linked to the relationship between serotonin levels and ejaculation.

Other Ways To Treat Premature Ejaculation

Apart from medications, here are a few ways to treat premature ejaculation:

  • Topical products like wipes and creams.
  • Numbing condoms.
  • Zinc supplements.
  • Dietary changes.
  • Pause squeeze technique.
  • Pelvic strengthening exercises.
  • Start-stop method.
  • Professional help.

40% of Males have experienced premature ejaculation, and there’s nothing to be embarrassed about, talk it out with your partner and get to the root of the problem. Learn about your body; there’s no shame in seeking help; it's completely normal.
Don’t ignore this as a minor concern. Act on it and improve your sexual wellness. 

Precautions For Sertraline

Before taking the drug, you should be more cautious about the drug effect  to avoid the adverse impact of the Drug,
inform your doctor if you are taking

  •  Any other mental health medication, opioid medicine, herbal product, or any depressive medication because an interaction with the drug will cause a severe reaction,  

 To make sure your  doctor before,

  • If you are any allergy sensitive to the drug
  • History of bipolar disorder
  • heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure 
  • liver or Kidney Disease
  • Glaucoma
  • Seizure
  • Any bleeding problem
  • low level of sodium in your blood  

People taking antidepressants have thoughts of suicide at the initial stage. If they face the symptoms, inform their doctor immediately.

It is approved for children six years old to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. During pregnancy, the drug will harm your baby so before taking the medication, inform your doctor.

Drug interactions Of Sertraline 

Drugs like sertraline can interact with many other medicines, 
Taking sertraline with any other medication will harm your health, such as,

  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors(MAOIs) like rasagiline, phenelzine and others.
  • Triptans like sumatriptan and others
  • other SSRI drugs like citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine and others
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, and others.
  • Anticoagulants drugs like warfarin
  • alcohol
  • Muscle relaxants like baclofen
  • Azole antifungals
  • Contraceptive drugs.

Bottom Line From Practical Anxiety Solutions 

As far now, we have come to understand the drug, Sertraline, is an antidepressant that helps treat mood disorders like depression, anxiety, and other conditions. At the same time, it is used as Off label for treating premature ejaculation.

Some users will not have side effects while using the drug, but some may have some familiar severe side effects, so be aware of the adverse effects before using the medicine. Speak with your doctor about your past and present health history. Discuss the drug's working state and caution measures. 

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