Lexapro For Premature Ejaculation: Can It Really Help Me Last Longer
Premature ejaculation treatments vary from over-the-counter desensitizers to prescription medications. One such medication is Lexapro. Can this Pe treatment option work for you?
Board Certified Urologist, expert in male sexual dysfunction
Here is a closer look at Lexapro, how it works, and other PE treatment options.
What is Lexapro (Escitalopram)?
Lexapro is a branded prescription drug that is otherwise known as escitalopram.
Escitalopram is normally prescribed for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.
Lexapro acts as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) in the brain, much like many other anti-depressant drugs.
These types of medications help with depression and anxiety by boosting serotonin levels in the brain.
Low serotonin is thought to be related to a number of mood disorders.
However, heightened serotonin while taking SSRIs may also have an effect on arousal.
In fact, in Lexapro's placebo-controlled clinical trials, 12 percent of men experienced ejaculation delay, and 2 percent experienced erectile dysfunction (ED).
Does Lexapro Treat Premature Ejaculation Effectively?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recognize Lexapro for premature ejaculation treatment.
However, due to the known side effects of SSRIs in terms of delaying ejaculation, some doctors do prescribe Lexapro for the "off-label" treatment of PE.
It should be noted that escitalopram is the only type of SSRI that has been studied for treating PE.
A handful of others have been better researched and are more commonly prescribed, including:
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Citalopram (Celexa)
While Lexapro may not be as commonly prescribed for PE, comparison studies of escitalopram, fluoxetine, and paroxetine for PE have shown similar efficacy between the three SSRIs.
How to Use Lexapro for Premature Ejaculation
Lexapro is prescribed in tablet or oral solution forms. In most cases, you will be told to take Lexapro for premature ejaculation once daily.
The typical dosage used in clinical trials is 10mg per day. It's not meant to be on-demand and needs to be taken daily to achieve any benefit.
However, since Lexapro is used off-label for PE, a doctor or healthcare provider will determine the proper dosage and how you should take the medication.
How Long Does Lexapro Take to Work for Premature Ejaculation?
Lexapro may not offer immediate improvement for premature ejaculation.
In clinical trials published by the Journal of Human Andrology, the best outcomes came after two weeks or longer of treatment.
The study participants experienced a 226 percent increase in ejaculation time after two weeks and a 506 percent increase after four weeks.
Therefore, if you take Lexapro for PE, be sure to take the medication as prescribed daily, even if there is no change in ejaculation times.
If, after several weeks of treatment, Lexapro does not seem to offer any improvements, be sure to discuss the concerns with a healthcare professional.
Risks and Side Effects of Lexapro
While Lexapro has been shown to be effective for treating PE, the results do not come without some concerns.
In one study published in the journal of Human Andrology, researchers noted that patients taking Lexapro as part of a study experienced substantial side effects after two weeks.
However, the side effects subsided after four weeks of treatment.
Side effects initially reported at the two-week mark included:
Headache
Nausea
Drowsiness
As noted earlier, it is possible for SSRIs to cause undesirable sexual side effects as well.
For example, some men who take SSRIs have issues with erectile dysfunction, especially with long-term treatment.
And lack of sex drive is also a possibility, which means you may have little interest in sex.
Taking Lexapro can also lead to more serious side effects, even though these side effects are considered rare.
These more serious side effects include:
Low blood sodium levels
Risk of bleeding events
Seizures
Teeth grinding
Angle-closure glaucoma
Serotonin syndrome
GI side effects
Suicide ideation
In an original article posted in the International Journal of Impotence Research in 2011, another major concern was brought up regarding Lexapro for premature ejaculation: a negative effect on sperm.
In the study, 25 men with PE who had undergone sperm analysis were given Lexapro every day for 12 weeks, at which time sperm quality was again examined.
After 12 weeks of treatment with the SSRI, there was a decrease in the number of sperm, sperm motility, and sperm morphology (size and shape).
Further, treatments that are not pharmaceutical can often be combined for more profound results. Take a look at other PE treatment options to consider.
Over-the-Counter Options
Men with PE have a number of over-the-counter options that are considered highly effective for PE, including:
PE condoms - PE condoms come in two varieties. The first type is condoms, which are made with thicker latex. The second type is condoms that have been pre-treated with a desensitizing agent like benzocaine.
Different types of therapy may be helpful for some men who struggle with premature ejaculation. PE can have a number of underlying causes, some of which are psychological.
Psychotherapy, which is a type of talk therapy, may be beneficial for men who may have negative emotions attached to issues with PE.
For example, lacking confidence about sexual performance may contribute, but talk therapy may help an individual address these issues.
Hypnotherapy for PE may also be something to consider, even though research into its effectiveness is lacking.
Certain behavioral techniques may also help curb issues with PE. These techniques can be combined with something like delay spray to enhance outcomes further as well.
Kegels may help strengthen the pelvic floor to give a man with PE better control over ejaculation.
Kegel exercises involve strengthening the muscles in the pelvic floor by doing strength-training exercises. Studies have shown this training to be effective for PE.
Edging, also known as the start/stop method, involves having sex until the urge to ejaculate is obvious, stopping until that feeling subsides, and then resuming activity.
This can be done repeatedly to prolong sexual activity.
While these medications are primarily to help men achieve and maintain an erection by increasing blood flow to the penis, they may also be helpful for PE.
For example, a study of sildenafil found that the medication was more effective than the SSRI paroxetine for PE when taken as needed.
Important Takeaways
Does Lexapro help with premature ejaculation? Yes. However, taking Lexapro for PE can come along with worrying side effects.
While Lexapro may offer some help for PE, safer alternatives are recommended.
Lexapro may even cause changes in sperm quality when taken for long periods.
Alternatives like over-the-counter Promescent Delay Spray, behavioral techniques, and even therapy may be effective solutions for PE.
Additionally, these options come along with little-to-know risk.
Dr. Jed Kaminetsky M.D. is an American Board Certified Urologist and earned his Medical Degree at New York University. In his tenure he became a member of the American Urological Association and the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Kaminetsky pioneered the minimally invasive Rezum BPH treatment and is an expert in male and female dysfunction.
Sources:
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The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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