Yes!
In Singapore, Sertraline is one of the most widely used premature ejaculation medications on the market today.
Sertraline is actually a medication for mental health conditions. So it’s technically prescribed as an off-label treatment for premature ejaculation in Singapore.
So how does medication for mental health help premature ejaculation?
Serotonin and Premature Ejaculation: a function of the mind
A complex play of physical and psychological causes contributes to premature ejaculation. Physically, it has been found that Serotonin levels in the brain plays an important role in the control of ejaculation. Low levels of Serotonin have been found to be strongly associated in men who experience premature ejaculation from their first sexual contact onwards in life.
Sertraline belongs to a class of medications known as the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs work by increasing Serotonin levels in the brain and body. Serotonin is a hormone that plays a role in controlling our emotions and mood.
It has been reported that SSRIs used to treat depression and mental health conditions can cause delayed or blocked ejaculation as a side effect in men. Long-term use of SSRIs has been shown to extend the time between erection and ejaculation in men.
In short, SSRIs increase the levels of Serotonin in the brain which could possibly increase the time to ejaculation in men. This presents a potential use of SSRIs in the treatment of premature ejaculation.
Sertraline: a prescription to prolong sex
There are currently no SSRIs approved by the FDA for the treatment of premature ejaculation, including Sertraline. This means that the FDA does not provide a specific recommended dosage of Sertraline to treat premature ejaculation as it does for depression and other mental health conditions.
Several small studies suggest that Sertaline can increase time to ejaculation and improve sexual satisfaction among men and their partners. Most studies of Sertraline for the treatment of premature ejaculation involve a daily dose of between 25 mg and 100 mg.
Studies have also shown that it takes about 4 weeks for Sertraline to work or for a noticeable improvement in premature ejaculation to be seen. This is similar to the amount of time it takes for Sertraline to kick in for the treatment of other mental health conditions.
There are two different ways Sertraline can be used to treat premature ejaculation: regularly or on-demand. Regular use of Sertraline as a daily-use medication means taking Sertraline every day, even if you do not expect to have sex on that day. On-demand use of Sertraline refers to taking Sertraline only on the days when you plan to have sex.
A clinical trial was performed to compare the effectiveness of regular versus on-demand use of Sertraline for the treatment of premature ejaculation. It was found that both methods were effective for the treatment of premature ejaculation but regular use of Sertraline produced better results compared to on-demand treatment. On the other hand, on-demand use of Sertraline resulted in fewer side effects compared to regular use of Sertraline.
Sertraline and its side effects
When we prescribe Sertraline, we often start at a low dosage in order to avoid some of the side effects that stem from Sertraline.
Research has shown that Sertraline can lower sex drive, result in low libido, or cause erectile dysfunction if not used according to a doctor’s recommendation. Other common side effects of Sertraline include: nausea, headache, dizziness and fatigue.
If you are currently taking Sertraline and experience sexual problems or have any particular concerns, always speak to your doctor. Do not stop your medication unless advised by your doctor to do so.
Combining medications with appropriate exercise regimens and counselling have been found to be more effective than medications alone in the treatment of premature ejaculation.
Does SIRE prescribe Sertraline?
Yes!
Among the many solutions that we have to solve your premature ejaculation, Sertraline is one of them.
Based on the discussion you have with your doctor, SIRE will decide if Sertraline or one of the many other solutions is suited for you.
SIRE generally prefers Sertraline if you have sex 2-3 times per week and want to last longer every time. We also recommend it to people who struggle with lifelong premature ejaculation.
If you don’t have sex as often, then we’d recommend Priligy as an on-demand premature ejaculation treatment.
When you consult with our doctors, we will discuss whether other medications can be used in conjunction with Sertraline. We examine if you are suitable for erectile dysfunction medications. In our experience, improving erections can also reduce premature ejaculation.
Finally, we counsel our customers on the potential side effects and will work to find a dosage that gives you the desired effect of extending your pleasure.
History of Sertraline
Sertraline was first discovered and developed by the researchers at Pfizer. You might have heard of Zoloft and Lustral. Sertraline was marketed under the brand name Zoloft in the United States and Lustral in the United Kingdom. It was first approved by the FDA in 1991 for the treatment of depression.
Since then, it was found that Sertraline can treat a variety of mental health conditions. Currently, Sertraline is approved by the FDA for the treatment of the following conditions:
· Major Depressive Disorder (Depression)
· Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
· Panic Disorder
· Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
· Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
· Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder (PMDD)
In fact, Sertaline was the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States in 2018.
