Tramadol For Premature Ejaculation: Can It Help? – Introduction
PE is a sexual ailment that plagues men of all ages and affects their relationships and lives. It’s a failure to control or postpone ejaculation, and it produces unhappy sexual experiences both for the individual and for his sexual partner. We’ve found treatments for PE such as psychosexual therapy and creams. One such treatment that’s caught my eye in recent years is tramadol. In this essay, I’ll discuss the basics about what tramadol is, how it works, and what the evidence suggests about tramadol as PE treatment.
Tramadol is a synthetic opioid, which originally was used to alleviate moderate-to-severe pain. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, thereby blocking pain signals. But it also indirectly affects brain levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, the neurotransmitters involved in sexual function. This dual mechanism of action is what has spawned the research on tramadol as a potential treatment for PE.
Studies
A number of studies have tried to evaluate whether or not tramadol helps with PE. In one randomised controlled trial, published in the British Journal of Urology International, PE-inflicted men receiving tramadol reported a significantly longer time to ejaculate than men receiving a placebo. The research also found that sex satisfaction and quality of life for the subjects improved. In a separate experiment published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, the tramadol doubled time to ejaculation and improved sexual satisfaction.
One benefit of tramadol for PE is that it can be taken on a case-by-case basis, rather than daily as some PE medications are. This makes it a better choice for those who do not want to take a pill every day. Nonetheless, remember that tramadol is a prescription drug and should only be taken under the care of a physician.
In spite of the promising findings from these studies, there are limitations. To begin with, these studies were retrospective and sample size-limited, and therefore long-term outcomes of tramadol for PE remain unknown. Furthermore, tramadol is an opioid, and is prone to abuse and dependence. Hence, it should be applied at a moderate dose in people who have a history of substance abuse or addiction.
In addition, as with all drugs, tramadol has side effects.
Common Side Effects
The tramadol side-effects are mild and generally subside within days or weeks. These include:
Nausea & Vomiting: Nausea and vomiting are among the most common drug side effects in tramadol users, but may occur in as many as 30 per cent of people. These stomach side-effects, though typically quite minor, can be unpleasant and require a pill or diet change.
Dizziness: Dizziness is also a common complaint, which can affect up to 25% of users. Usually mild, it entails potential for impairment of balance in the elderly and increased vulnerability to falls.
Drunkiness: It can significantly disrupt your normal daily routine, particularly for those who are taking tramadol during the day. One would generally not want patients operating heavy machinery or driving while on the drug.
Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea is a common symptom of opioids and thus, tramadol may be classified as such. You can resolve the problem through dietary changes, fiber supplementation, or over-the-counter constipation remedies.
Headache: Although this is less probable, headaches are possible in around 1% of users. In some cases this may be only mild, in others it can be very chronic and requires an evaluation.
Serious Side Effects
Tramadol can have a number of serious side effects, so the patient should get it examined right away. These include:
Serotonin Syndrome: Tramadol can interact with medications that increase serotonin levels in the body to cause a potentially life-threatening condition known as serotonin syndrome. Rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, fever, excessive sweating, confusion, and restlessness are the symptoms of this condition, so you need to take care of it immediately.
Seizures:Tramadol may decrease the seizure threshold, especially in people who have had seizures or on certain concurrent medications, so seizure risk must be considered.
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Although uncommon, serious hypersensitivity reactions to tramadol can include: rash, blisters, hives, itching, shortness of breath, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. These symptoms will demand immediate medical attention.
Respiratory Depression: Like other opioids, tramadol can cause respiratory depression. This adverse effect can lead to shallow or slow breathing, and bradycardia, sometimes leading to coma or even death. It should be administered at low doses when first initiating tramadol therapy.
Abuse: As with other opioids, tramadol can be addictive. This could be especially high in patients who have previously misused drugs of any kind, and accordingly careful prescribing and use recommendations should be issued.
Long-Term Side Effects
Overuse of tramadol is associated with a number of dangerous side effects, including:
1. Hormonal disturbances: Overuse of tramadol can cause hormonal disturbances such as testosterone deficiency and abnormal menstruation in women.
2. Physical Dependence: When you take tramadol for a long time, your body becomes physically addicted and becomes accustomed to the drug’s presence and develops withdrawal symptoms when it is taken away.
3. Tolerance: If tramadol is used long-term, it may become intolerable – which means that higher doses are required to provide the same relief.
4. Disorders: Tramadol long-term use has been associated with the development of mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety and brain damage.
Conclusion: Tramadol For Premature Ejaculation: Can It Help?
In conclusion, tramadol seems promising in treating early ejaculation, even though ejaculatory latency and sexual satisfaction are promising indicators. It requires further investigation for longer-term efficacy and safety. But tramadol should only be taken with caution, unless advised otherwise by a doctor, as it is potentially misused and has negative effects. In PE patients, it’s always best to discuss all treatment options with a physician to determine the best course of action.
