Sildenafil vs sertraline: which is better for premature ejaculation?

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Constance Tambakis Odom, MD graduated in 1987 with her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College, and was an Anesthesiologist Resident from 1988 to 1991 at the Brookdale Medical Center PGY II (CA-I)-PGY IV (CA-III). She is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1998 and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine since 2002. Constance Odom, MD is affiliated with the American Medical Association, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Anesthesiology, Georgia Society of Anesthesiology, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, North Carolina Society of Anesthesiology, and Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Credentials

Medical Director At:

• Nu Image Medical
• MetroMedispa P.A.

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

• Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC
• Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC
• Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

• Jacksonville Surgery Center in Jacksonville, NC

Written by our editorial team.

Last Edited 1 year ago · 8 min read

Many drugs on the market treat erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is a relatively common condition for many men. But did you know that some of these medications can also help with premature ejaculation? 

Sildenafil is a drug designed to treat erectile dysfunction. Also known as Viagra, this drug is very effective in helping men obtain and sustain an erection. However, scientists have found it to be effective in treating premature ejaculation or PE. According to Hims.com, premature ejaculation is one of the most common sexual dysfunctions affecting men. 

As many as 39 percent of men will experience premature ejaculation at some point in their lives. Premature ejaculation or PE refers to when a man may find it difficult to control his orgasm and ejaculate during intercourse. This can cause or contribute to other sex-related problems, such as performance anxiety. Performance anxiety can affect one’s ability to have an orgasm. You can get too caught up in your head that you get nervous about a sexual encounter. Dealing with premature ejaculation can lead men to desire sex less than they normally would.

Because of this, it’s not surprising that premature ejaculation can be a problem for many men. Drugs, such as Sildenafil and Sertraline, can treat premature ejaculation and restore your sex life to normal. Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, has been found effective in promoting healthy blood flow. Many studies have examined the effect of Sildenafil on PE. Results of these studies found that over a period of six months, men taking Sildenafil saw a significant improvement and a decrease in premature ejaculation. 

Those who took this drug also reported an increase in the amount of time it took to develop an erection and ejaculate after penetration. These men reported greater sexual satisfaction, and the severity of their PE decreased.  

As a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor (SSRI), Sildenafil is believed to be effective in treating several sexual problems. Although there have not been many large-scale studies on Sildenafil’s ability to treat premature ejaculation in particular, many smaller studies have found evidence that it can help slow down orgasm and keep men from experiencing premature ejaculation. But why exactly does premature ejaculation happen? 

Premature ejaculation refers to when a man ejaculates within one minute of vaginal intercourse. It is uncontrollable and often happens before you want it to happen. It is not uncommon for people to climax more quickly than they expect, but this happens more frequently to men with PE.    

According to experts, Sildenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor that increases blood flow to the penis, which makes it easier to get and sustain an erection. Sildenafil or Viagra first hit the market in 1998, sending shockwaves through the international community. According to medical experts, it has few side effects. 

Many people have touted the benefits of Sildenafil on premature ejaculation, but some specialists aren’t so sure. However, meta-analyses and systematic reviews have given researchers greater insight into how Sildenafil works. Sildenafil widens blood vessels, which can increase blood flow to the heart. Sildenafil relaxes muscles in the penis.

If you are considering taking Sildenafil for premature ejaculation, it may help to know its side effects. Those who take Sildenafil may experience headaches, nausea, flushing, and stuffy nose. More than one out of 100 people on Sildenafil will experience side effects. Those taking Sildenafil occasionally for erections are not likely to have side effects, because you are only taking the medication for a single act of intercourse. 

Scientists say there need to be more studies that utilize placebos. You can order generic Sildenafil online, and it can be delivered directly to your front door. 

While Sildenafil remains a popular choice for sexual dysfunction, Sertraline has also been touted for its ability to treat premature ejaculation. Released in 1992, Sertraline is essentially Zoloft, a drug designed to treat multiple conditions. These conditions include major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder.  

Sertraline is an SSRI medication and is often prescribed off-label for conditions like premature ejaculation. Studies have found that different chemicals play a role in altering and regulating serotonin levels. Experts agree that serotonin has a big impact on the timing of ejaculation. Having low levels of serotonin may cause one to ejaculate faster.

Because Sertraline raises serotonin levels, the length of time before a man ejaculates may be extended. Multiple studies have analyzed the effects of Sertraline on individuals who suffer from premature ejaculation, and have shown clear evidence that Sertraline is the most effective drug in treating premature ejaculation. Although this drug was not designed specifically for this purpose, a small study gave participants doses of Sertraline ranging from 50 to 200 milligrams per day. 

As a result, researchers found that Sertraline lengthened the time of ejaculation and improved sexual satisfaction. It takes a bit of time for Sertraline to get into your system after you take it. After four weeks, those taking this drug begin to see an improvement in premature ejaculation. It takes roughly the same amount of time for the drug to kick in and treat other conditions. 

While Sertraline is effective in treating premature ejaculation, it also has the ability to lower sex drive in some individuals. It also has the potential to cause erectile dysfunction in some men.  These side effects can be troubling, especially for men who want to improve their sex life. Sertraline can lower sex drive, because it attaches itself to certain parts of the brain. This can be discouraging for men who want to reap benefits from this drug.

If you are considering taking Sertraline for premature ejaculation, it may help to learn about the drug’s side effects. Sertraline may cause nausea and dizziness. Additionally, it can cause an inability to sleep, diarrhea, and dry mouth. If you experience any of these side effects, you should continue taking the medication. However, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist to figure out why you are experiencing side effects. 

Also be aware that Sertraline has some serious side effects, which include changes in periods, spotting, or heavy bleeding. Weight gain or weight loss is also possible. You may need to call 911 if you experience serious side effects, such as feelings of extreme happiness or feelings of restlessness. Restlessness refers to the feeling that you cannot stand or sit still. If your eyes or skin turn yellow, you should contact a medical professional immediately. These can be indications of liver problems.

Coughing up blood and having blood in your urine are also serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. Sertraline can sometimes turn your stool red, or you may see “blood in your vomit,” experts say. You can also experience bleeding from the gums or bruises that appear for no reason.   

These bruises may get bigger as time goes by, but be aware that there is the potential for this to happen when you take Sertraline. Although rare, some people taking Sertraline will develop a severe allergic reaction to this medication. Some people taking this drug may develop anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening and severe reaction to an unknown actor. It can begin gradually and get worse over time.

You may not notice the symptoms of anaphylaxis right away. However, you may feel faint or lightheaded. As the condition sets in, you may develop breathing problems, such as fast or shallow breathing. Additionally, you may develop wheezing or a rapid heartbeat. Other symptoms, such as clammy skin and confusion may follow. Hives, edema, or stomach problems are also possible. 

According to the National Library of Medicine, when compared to Sertraline, Sildenafil is the better option to treat premature ejaculation. The reason for this is that Sildenafil has fewer risk factors than other drugs that treat sexual function issues. Meta-analysis, clinical trials, and systematic reviews have allowed researchers to see not only the effectiveness of Sildenafil, but also the effectiveness of several other PDE5 inhibitors.     

According to PubMed, comparative research studies have utilized sexual medicine committee guidelines, economic brochures, and original articles to determine the overall effectiveness of Sildenafil in treating premature ejaculation or PE. These studies have found positive results from Sildenafil, when compared with other PDE5 inhibitors. The Society of Sexual Medicine (ISSM) classified Sildenafil as being a superior treatment method for premature ejaculation.

Sertraline in itself was designed to act as an antidepressant, but research studies have found it to be a very effective method for treating PE. As with any medication, further research on this medication can give scientists more insight into the effectiveness of Sertraline. However, it is very effective in treating a multitude of other mental health conditions. Sertraline is the generic for Zoloft and can cost as much as $77.00 per bottle, a troubling prospect for patients with low incomes. However, when compared with similar drugs, it is actually a lower cost prescription. 

You can get Sertraline for as low as $23.00 when you use a free GoodRx discount. Pricing for this drug is different at various retailers.

12 Sources

Nu Image Medical has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premature-ejaculation/symptoms-causes/syc-20354900

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41443-018-0099-2

https://www.goodrx.com/sertraline/what-is-sertraline

https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/p/premature-ejaculation

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20355776

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/sertraline/side-effects-of-sertraline/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anaphylaxis/

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/sildenafil-viagra/side-effects-of-sildenafil/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/sexual-satisfaction

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6310608/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30837718/

https://www.goodrx.com/sertraline

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 physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.