For instance, potential side effects of sertraline include: Changes in sex drive (libido) or sexual performance Changes in sex drive (libido) or sexual performance Many of these are common potential side effects of all antidepressants.
From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
It is hypothesized that the increased synaptic content of serotonin and norepinephrine at the level of the spinal cord and peripheral sensory nerves provides the mechanism for effective treatment of premature ejaculation. Tramadol is a centrally acting opioid analgesic that exerts its effect by combining opioid receptor activation with inhibition of norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake. Treatment of premature ejaculation is an off-label use of tramadol. Spontaneous sex for less than $2/day If you want to last longer in bed, premature ejaculation pills may be the answer. But we’re not talking about those sketchy male-enhancement supplements you can pick up at the gas station.
Behavioral Therapy and Techniques for Reducing Arousal Levels
A number of medications approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) can help you gain better control of your erectile function. First, a reality check: Premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the most common male sexual health conditions, affecting as much as 30 to 75 percent of men worldwide (although reports are subjective and estimates vary widely). The point is, if you’re looking for oral medication or topical treatments to make you last longer, you’re definitely not alone. Keep scrolling for a rundown on how premature ejaculation is treated and the best PE pills to consider. You can learn more about what to expect from SSRIs in our guide to antidepressant side effects.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamagra Polo | 100mg | 272 + 12 Pills | 622.94€ 593.28€ | |
| Kamagra Gold | 50 mg | 84 + 6 Pills | 224.77€ 214.07€ | |
| Viagra Original | 100mg | 92 + 4 Pills | 362.88€ 345.60€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 60mg | 180 + 10 Pills | 501.43€ 477.55€ | |
| Viagra Super Active | 100mg | 90 + 10 Pills | 165.61€ 157.72€ | |
| Levitra Soft Tabs | 20mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 241.31€ 229.82€ | |
| Kamagra Polo | 100mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 189.39€ 180.37€ | |
| Priligy Generic Dapoxetine | 60mg | 30 + 6 Pills | 106.65€ 101.57€ | |
| Priligy Generic Dapoxetine | 60mg | 10 Pills | 47.63€ 45.36€ | |
| Kamagra Gold | 50 mg | 120 + 6 Pills | 281.13€ 267.74€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 270 + 8 Pills | 184.26€ 175.49€ | |
| Kamagra Effervescent Tablets | 100 mg | 84 + 7 Pills | 202.91€ 193.25€ | |
| Kamagra | 100mg | 20 Pills | 86.09€ 81.99€ | |
| Levitra Soft Tabs | 20mg | 30 + 2 Pills | 99.17€ 94.45€ | |
| Kamagra Polo | 100mg | 32 Pills | 125.88€ 119.89€ |
Sildenafil and other PDE5 inhibitors, on the other hand, generally only cause mild side effects while active in the body and when taken as prescribed.
Rights and permissions
The researchers from the 2005 study also found that sildenafil reduces refractory time, making it easier for men with premature ejaculation to get a second erection shortly after sex. Research shows that PDE5 inhibitors work better than a placebo in helping with premature ejaculation. Combining a PDE5 inhibitor with an SSRI appears to be even more effective, helping men last longer than with an SSRI alone. Even if there’s no improvement in ejaculation time the first time you have sex, sildenafil might make it easier to enjoy round two with your partner. Like all medications, PDE5 inhibitors and SSRIs can cause potential side effects. Changes in the ability to perceive color Changes in the ability to perceive color If you experience any of these side effects or are concerned about potential adverse effects, get in touch with your healthcare provider to discuss your options. If your goal is to last longer during sex without prescription medication, some alternative treatments for PE are worth considering, either as part of a broader treatment plan or on their own.
- Dapoxetine's side effects can include nausea, headache, and dizziness.
- Topical anesthetics include lidocaine and prilocaine-based creams or sprays.
- SSRIs like fluoxetine, sertraline, may also be used off-label for PE.
- Opioid medications require careful medical oversight due to dependency potential.
- Behavioral approaches are first-line treatment for many men with PE.
- Regular exercise can improve overall sexual function and control.
- Some innovations include vibration devices to delay ejaculation temporarily.
- Medical tests may be recommended to exclude underlying causes.
- Education about sexual response stages can improve control strategies.
- Sex therapy often involves both partners to address relational issues.
- Medications may take several weeks to show maximum benefit.
- Lifestyle modifications, like reducing alcohol, can also help manage PE.
Nothing’s going to replace medical advice from a licensed healthcare provider, but you might see improvements from: Benzocaine and lidocaine are topical anesthetics that, when applied to the penis, help you avoid premature ejaculation by reducing sensitivity in the penis.
| Side Effect | Medication Type | Incidence Rate | Severity Level | Management Strategies | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | SSRIs, topical anesthetics | 10-15% | Mild to Moderate | Dose adjustment, timing | Usually transient |
| Dizziness | SSRIs, topical anesthetics | 8-12% | Mild | Standing slowly, hydration | Common with beginning treatment |
| Headache | SSRIs, topical anesthetics | 5-10% | Mild | Analgesics, time to adjust | Typically diminishes over time |
| Reduced Sensation | Topical anesthetics | 10-20% | Mild | Reduced dose, application timing | Can affect partner satisfaction |
These numbing agents can be good alternatives to prescription medications for PE.
Warning: Watch out for unreliable pills
It’s possible that everyone’s favorite stay-hard pill may also function as a PE pill. Research has found that many men with PE experience improvements after using ED medications like Viagra or generic sildenafil. In a 2007 study, researchers compared the effects of sildenafil, paroxetine (an SSRI) and the squeeze technique (a PE method that involves squeezing the penis during sex) to see which option best treated PE. At the end of six months, sildenafil was shown to be the most effective treatment. Another study from 2005 found that although sildenafil didn’t directly increase the time before orgasm, it seemed to improve confidence and increase the perception of ejaculatory control. You can find benzocaine as an active ingredient in Hims Clockstopper Climax Delay Wipes, which are designed for quick and easy use five minutes before sex.
Treatments for premature ejaculation
But one of the most commonly prescribed PE treatments in pill form is sertraline. SSRIs are among the most common medications for the treatment of premature ejaculation. Older research on sertraline shows that this medication can treat premature ejaculation symptoms when used daily — often by a significant amount. One study from 1998 gave men with premature ejaculation 25 milligrams (mg) of sertraline daily, then 50 milligrams per day after three weeks, followed by 100 milligrams another three weeks later. After taking a 25-milligram daily dose of sertraline, the men’s average ejaculation time increased super p force pill from one minute to 7.6 minutes.
Lidocaine (4%) Cream for PE
Once the study participants started taking the higher 50-milligram daily dose of sertraline, their average ejaculation time increased to 13.1 minutes. At the 100-milligram dose, the men had an average ejaculation time of 16.4 minutes. At the 50- and 100-milligram doses of daily sertraline, a small number of participants started developing anejaculation (inability to orgasm during sex). Newer research has shown that SSRIs may help men last about three minutes longer during sex compared to a placebo. And they seem to improve key outcomes for men with premature ejaculation, including better control, more satisfaction during sex, and fewer symptoms. Benzocaine and lidocaine are topical anesthetics that, when applied to the penis, help you avoid premature ejaculation by reducing sensitivity in the penis. Like premature ejaculation sprays, these numbing creams contain topical anesthetics such as lidocaine to or benzocaine to lower the sensitivity level of your penis and help you avoid ejaculating too soon.
Why trust our experts?
Low serotonin levels in the brain are believed to play a role in premature ejaculation, whereas increased serotonin activity can delay orgasm. SSRIs like sertraline (commonly sold as Zoloft®) are popular among people with PE problems.These medications increase serotonin levels in the brain. Another commonly used PE pill is actually intended for another sexual dysfunction: ED. PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis®), vardenafil (Levitra®), and avanafil (Stendra®) are sometimes prescribed off-label for premature ejaculation because they improve blood flow and the perception of ejaculatory control. We’ll go into more detail on how these pills work (and how well they work to improve sexual function) in the following sections.
Treatment options
SSRIs are typically used to treat depression and anxiety. They regulate the amount of serotonin between neurons (the brain’s messengers), which is believed to help alleviate symptoms of depression. In some cases, healthcare providers might prescribe these drugs off-label for premature ejaculation since they help slow down orgasm and ejaculation. This effect is typically regarded as a side effect of medications like paroxetine and sertraline. But for folks with PE, this “adverse” effect can be beneficial. Some condoms have benzocaine on the inside to desensitize the penis during sex — and help you stay safe at the same time.
| Medication Name | Type | Typical Dosage | Onset Time | Duration of Effect | Common Side Effects | Approval Status | Available By Prescription | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dapoxetine | SSRI | 30 mg | 1-3 hours | 12-24 hours | Nausea, dizziness, headache | Approved | Yes | 2-5 |
| Paroxetine | SSRI | 20 mg/day | 1-2 hours | 24 hours | Fatigue, dry mouth | Approved | Yes | 1-4 |
| Sertraline | SSRI | 50 mg/day | 2-4 hours | 24 hours | Diarrhea, insomnia | Approved | Yes | 2-4 |
| Topical Anesthetics | Local anesthetic | Varies | Immediate | 30-60 minutes | Loss of sensation in area | Approved | Yes | 3-7 |
Techniques like the stop-start strategy and squeeze technique appear to help prevent PE.
Treatment Options for Premature or Rapid Ejaculation at UCLA
Several treatments can help with premature ejaculation by delaying ejaculation, including locally applied anesthetics like lidocaine or benzocaine. But many of the so-called “premature ejaculation pills” are actually used off-label to treat PE. (Off-label use is when a product is used for something other than what it’s FDA-approved for.) PE pills include antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In some cases, healthcare providers may even prescribe phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors) like sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra®) which are approved to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). If you want to prolong your erections, keep reading to explore the best pills for PE, topical medical treatments to consider, and why you should be cautious about over-the-counter treatments for PE.
Sorry something went wrong with your subscription
Premature ejaculation pills are an unofficial term for certain oral drugs healthcare providers prescribe off-label to treat premature ejaculation. These medications include SSRIs like sertraline and PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil. Though these drugs are widely prescribed for PE and other sexual dysfunctions, they aren’t FDA-approved for these purposes. In fact, every PE medication is actually a pill originally intended for another purpose. Some of the top pills that might help you last longer in bed include: SSRIs like sertraline (commonly sold as Zoloft®) are popular among people with PE problems.These medications increase serotonin levels in the brain. We’ve covered the squeeze technique and others (and the scientific research on their effectiveness) in our guide to stopping premature ejaculation.
- Dapoxetine is taken as needed, usually 1-3 hours before sex for rapid action.
- Topical anesthetics should be used sparingly to avoid numbness of partner.
- SSRIs may cause side effects like nausea, dizziness, or decreased libido.
- Tramadol carries potential for abuse and should only be used under medical supervision.
- Daily use of certain medications may be recommended for persistent PE.
- Psychological counseling helps address performance anxiety contributing to PE.
- Pelvic floor exercises improve control and delay ejaculation naturally.
- Partner involvement in therapy can improve treatment adherence.
- Discontinuing medication abruptly may cause withdrawal symptoms or rebound.
- For some men, combining therapy with lifestyle changes yields better results.
- Over-the-counter remedies should be approached cautiously and discussed with a doctor.
- Research continues into new pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments.
PE sometimes has psychological causes, such as sexual performance anxiety.
Cited sources
Healthcare professionals may also recommend combining an SSRI with a prescription ED medication such ed medications as Viagra or Cialis. They improve your sex life by increasing blood flow to your penis, helping you obtain and sustain erections. Some research also shows ED meds improve the perception of ejaculatory control — meaning you might feel like you have more control over when you orgasm. We understand why you’d be a little concerned about taking a medication designed for one purpose to treat something else. But you might be surprised to learn that healthcare professionals often prescribe medications to treat issues outside their FDA-approved status.
Competing interests
In fact, these off-label medications are surprisingly well-targeted when used to treat PE. Sexual experiences and sexual activity are very much mental exercises, but SSRIs don’t address the emotional element of sexual dysfunction. Instead, they make it harder for a person to reach orgasm. This may seem like an obvious conclusion, but research suggests the effect can help people with PE. You may have read about various medications like dapoxetine, fluoxetine, and others having this delayed-orgasm side effect.