Painkillers to Treat Premature Ejaculation

Tramadol.  A word most of you have probably never heard.  If you looked it up, you would learn that it is a narcotic-like prescription drug used in the treatment of moderate to severe pain.  This drug is usually used for those who need pain management over a long period of time.  Could this potentially addictive opioid drug also help men in their sex lives? 

According to one study, yes.  It seems counterintuitive for a drug which causes drowsiness and feelings of tiredness to help a man in bed – but in the case of premature ejaculation, it seems to have some benefits.  The UK study from researchers at the University of Sheffield, was a meta-analysis or review of past studies to see if Tramadol was beneficial in treating men who suffered from premature ejaculation.

Eight randomized controlled trials of tramadol that were led prior to August 2014 were reviewed.  According to the results of the study, Tramadol did work to some extent.  It was significantly more effective than placebo, which is a start.  The effectiveness was measured by an increase in the time it took to ejaculate during vaginal sex, or intra-vaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT).  This was measured over 8 to 12 weeks.

Although this drug seems to have the potential to solve a big issue in make sexual health, there are still many questions that need to be answered especially with a drug like this.  Because Tramadol is a pain-killer, how much is too much? Is taking this daily safe, and for how long before it could become addictive?  Although there is potential is using already known drugs for new treatments, what we don’t want is to solve one problem while creating a worse one.  Regular ejaculation at the cost of addiction is not what we would call beneficial. 

Clearly more research must be done to evaluate the safely of this off-label treatment.  Furthermore, most studies that were reviewed in this meta-analysis were taken from Middle Eastern countries.  Studies in other countries may differ in their results and effectiveness of Tramadol in treating premature ejaculation.  Men living in the United States for example might have a different reaction to similar treatment. 

 Additionally research to compare the effectiveness of tramadol compared to other drugs on the market to treat premature ejaculation is necessary.  In any case, clinicians should be careful when prescribing this medication – as some of the side effects are erectile dysfunction, drowsiness, and dizziness.  While still more serious ones are breathing difficulty and addiction.