The search for the Holy Grail of a medical treatment for premature ejaculation sometimes leads to unexpected places.
So it’s no surprise that another drug, Tramadol, has been popping up in medical journals in recent years as a potential solution.
A bit like Dapoxetine, Tramadol wasn’t designed for this purpose though; it’s actually a synthetic opioid analgesic used for moderate to severe pain relief.
But individual guys and researchers have discovered that it can also help improve premature ejaculation. I’ll discuss and reference some of these research studies a bit later.
But first I’ll talk about my experience of Tramadol, as I’ve seen first hand both the good and bad side of it.
The pain, pleasure and dependency
A few years ago I had major surgery and was given a large supply of Tramadol to take home from the hospital to manage the pain.
What they didn’t realize, and I’d forgotten, was that I’d also been given a large amount by my own doctor. I ended up with more than 200 x 50 mg pills.
Around a month after the surgery, I was able to have sex again. One day I felt some pain returning, so decided to take a 50 mg Tramadol pill (I’d been off them for about a week).
I then discovered to my delight that I lasted roughly 3 or 4 times longer than I used to.
So I decided to test if it was the Tramadol by using them once or twice more, and then also without. It turns out it was definitely the Tramadol helping.
Sounds great so far, right?
The problem was though that I twice experienced an issue with dependency on the Tramadol developing. First, I was craving a top up every 6 hours for pain relief when taking them after surgery. It took a conscious effort to cut down and stop.
Second, I was loving the fact that my sex life was much better with my accidental discovery later on. I remember thinking to myself that this was great, and I should get some more so I could take them every time I had sex.
Not so great after all then!
Luckily for me, I was strong-minded enough to cut down after the surgery. And I also knew that taking them long-term for sex wasn’t yet proved to be safe.
I was also getting some side effects like dizziness and just feeling weird (for want of a better description) when taking them.
Of course, this was just my experience Nonetheless it does seem to highlight three key points that researchers make:
- That Tramadol can help with premature ejaculation.
- That it can cause side effects.
- That it can lead to problems with dependency.
What researchers have found
In 2012, British researchers published a review of 5 studies that had looked at Tramadol to treat premature ejaculation. Interestingly, they also attempted to explain how it actually works.
They say that although it’s still not totally clear, there are two possible actions that occur. They explain that it works as a weak μ-opioid receptor agonist. But then go on to say that the more likely explanation is that it inhibits neuronal reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine.
Effects of Tramadol on lasting time
In their review of the 5 studies published between 2006 and 2012, this is a brief summary of what they found:
Study 1
After 8 weeks of 50 mg Tramadol, the average lasting time of guys went from just 19 seconds to 243. That’s 13 times longer.
Study 2
After 8 weeks on 25 mg Tramadol, the average time increased from 70.2 to 442.2 seconds. So this was 6.3 times longer.
Study 3
This study actually compared Tramadol with paroxetine. They found that the paroxetine group were lasting longer, and that the Tramadol group had less rigid erections.
Study 4
They tested out both a dose of 62 mg and 89 mg, finding a respective increase of 2.4 and 2.5 times.
Study 5
They found that with a dose of 25 mg, there was an increase in lasting time from 38.83 to 154.67 – 4 times longer.
The other findings of note are that in all the studies guys reported a significant increase in their sexual satisfaction. And also their partners said they were more satisfied.
You would imagine as such, but that does show that guys were happy with that kind of increase in time.
Side effects
Across those 5 studies they say that the Tramadol was well tolerated, and that the side effects experienced were only mild.
Although in my view when one study says that 28.1% reported nausea, I wonder what the meaning of ‘well tolerated’ actually is!
These are the main side effects that guys reported:
- nausea
- somnolence
- erectile dysfunction
- vertigo
- dyspepsia
- headache
- vomiting
- dizziness
Potential problems with using Tramadol
It’s a standard thing in research journals to find at the end a kind of disclaimer where they have to talk about all the things that were potentially wrong with their own study.
So even though they conclude that Tramadol appears to be an effective treatment, they also describe these potential problems:
- The long-term effectiveness and safety of using Tramadol is still not known.
- They don’t really know how well it compares to other drugs, like SSRI anti-depressants. Except for the paroxetine study which suggests paroxetine did better.
- That there are serious concerns about the potential for Tramadol abuse and dependence.
Tramadol dependency
So now we know that Tramadol can help many guys with premature ejaculation. The major concern though doesn’t seem to be side effects, but becoming dependent.
This study isn’t the only one to mention it – this article for example also suggests that it’s a concern.
So just how bad is the risk of guys abusing or becoming addicted to Tramadol? Well, it’s not as bad as you might think, according to a 2012 research study in Egypt.
They quote another piece of research from 1999 as saying that in the United States the rate of addiction is 1 in 100,000. Something the review article also mentions, though they also say that’s a significant number.
It appears from looking at other sources also, the risk is mainly with people who have a history of drug abuse.
Maybe that explains why although I personally found a craving for the Tramadol developing, I was able to stop taking it without too much trouble once I decided to.
Conclusion
It appears then that Tramadol could be an efficient way of helping guys deal with premature ejaculation. But as with all other medical treatments, it’s only a temporary solution and can cause other problems.
You do run the risk of having side effects – it’s an opioid after all, and so a strong drug. And there’s still much research needed into the long-term effectiveness and whether it’s better than other treatments.
There’s also the risk of addiction, dependency, abuse or whatever you want to call it. And although researchers say the risk is minimal, it could still happen to you.
And if you have a history of drug use or addiction – I would try something else instead.
Your views
Have you tried Tramadol to help you last longer? Did it work, and did you have any side effects? Let me know in the comments below.
1. Can tramadol cure premature ejaculation?
2. For how long a time do you need to take it?
Hi Ash
1. I don’t believe it is sold as a direct ‘cure’.
2. You would need to take it each time you want it to work. But that’s the reason why it has risks, because the long-term use of tramadol is not generally a safe thing.
Ethan
Hi ethan.
Do you think extended release tramadol works the same as regular tramadol?
I have the xr ones and i crush them to make them work fast but the side effects are terrible. Please advice
Thank you
JP
Hi Jose
I think it’s usually advised not to crush up the extended release. On a more important note, I’d say avoid them if you are getting bad side effects. This is not the healthiest way to tackle premature ejaculation in the first place, and less so if they affect you badly.
Can I cut 200mg into two if I don’t want to take the whole 200mg?
Hi Bello
Perhaps you could if it’s not a time release pill. Can’t you ask your prescribing doctor for a lower dosage?
Ethan
So from all i’ve read here, Tramadol can help one to last longer and without a side effect if he takes it like once a month and on the day he plans on having sex, right?
Hi Austino
You are right and wrong. Yes, it can help if you only take it when you want to have sex – once a month is fine, if you only have sex once a month. But you can still get side effects when you take it.
Ethan
If u takes tramadol how many minutes delay you ejaculation??
Hi Jose
It totally depends on the person and the situation – there is no way to calculate the effect in advance.
Ethan
Wow! Surprising.
One night I took 4x 50 grms just for the pain.
The following day had an encounter with my date.
I performed miracles, an hour pleasuring myself with her.
I had them after I had had alcohol. Like I say I didn’t know, that it would give such results.
Hence I started looking it up.
Me too it was by accident but I did enjoy.
Am trying it again, tonight without alcohol. I want to take only 2, I will give my results afterward.
Thanks for sharing
Good information. But which type of tramadol is good for erectile dysfunction?
Hi Kajjabwangu
Tramadol does not help with erectile dysfunction, as far as I am aware.
Ethan
Any strong opioid will help you last longer. I’ve used heroin and methadone and both take away that sensitive effect and make you last 20 mins or more. The only problem is that you can become addicted to it and it really isn’t a long-term solution.
Wish someone would do a proper study on opioids and their effects on premature ejaculation.
Hi James
Thanks for sharing your experience. Yes, it’s kind of a shame that some of the substances that have such a positive effect on premature ejaculation are far too dangerous to be a viable solution!
Ethan
After taking tramadol How long (minute / hour) should I wait before having sex
Hi Eva
It depends on the type, and other factors like food, metabolism etc. But an hour should definitely be enough.
Ethan
if a guy take tramadol before having sex with a girl does it have any side effect on the girl
Hi
Not that I know of, no.
Ethan
from my own experience after some time it stopped working in the sense that i could not get erect after taking it and a lot of stomach pain
Hi
Those are side effects that some people get unfortunately. I hope you found something else that works for you!
Ethan
Tramadol for sex is quite active the first time I tried it was a friend of mine was messing around with it, I told him i never used it for any reason but i would love to try it so we head out to get this tramadol one tablet was 225mg I consumed 3, I never knew from on set I had to check MG before using it so i had 725mg of tramadol ingested into my system, It took around 3-4hrs to kick in but trust me the feeling was not exciting this was around 10pm at night Had to go to bed with it that way the next day my gf came by around 4pm I was more than a lethal weapon I went more than an hour of sex I did not cum and was not tired, I think it works well just 100MG will do i guess
Hi guys
I’m a drug addict of tramadol
Pls what can I do to save my life?
Hi Khalifa
I think you should speak to your personal doctor for their advice, guidance and support. They can help you find the right professional to help with your addiction, or help you themselves if they think it’s best.
Ethan
is it safe to take beer few minutes after drinking tramadol?
Hi there
It’s generally advised not to mix tramadol and alcohol.
Ethan
I would say yes as my girlfriend just was prescribed Tramandol for her stomach pain or ulcer. Her stomach pain has been bothering her for months. She is having surgery in another 45 days for a hernia and the doctor said they would check out her stomach at the same time while performing the surgery for the hernia. She made an appointment just for the stomach pain as she wasnt getting any answers. They did an MRI but still aren’t sure. She has to wait a minimum of 30 days as they refused to perform surgery until she quit smoking. She hasn’t smoked for 7 days so called the doctor to schedule the surgery, mentioned the stomach pain, and they put her on Tramandol for the pain.
I’ve taken Viagra and Tramandol together. 50 mg Viagra and 50 mg Tramandol. Since I have always taken Viagra, I experienced zero side effects.
Is the effect of erectile dysfunction a permanent or temporary effect Plsss I need answers
Hi
It should be temporary if it happens.
Ethan
Being a diabetes patient can you take tramadol for premature ejaculation?
Hi Godwin
I really don’t know what the medical answer is to your question. But just looking online, I found this article: https://diabetesnewsjournal.com/2015/01/23/tramadol-may-increase-hospitalization-risk-for-hypoglycemia/
So I’d strongly recommending research it carefully and asking your doctor for their advice if possible.
Ethan
Does tramadol also cause erection on arousal apart from preventing premature ejaculation? How long does the effects of the drug last in the body?
Hi Banger
Not as far as I know. It can last for a good few hours – it depends which type it is and other factors like metabolism.
Ethan
I startd using tramadol for only the purpose of highness but I letter discovered it works for sex too, and I continue using it, but after two years of using it, I started noticing I that it is no longer working for long lasting erection, and I increase the pills, but still it didn’t work, I only discovered that I can live one day without it.
Hi Aro
Two years is a very long time to be taking tramadol for. I hope you manage to find a way to reduce and stop it!
Ethan
for someone that masturbates how many mg of tramadol is he suppose to take for a long lasting sex and satisfaction..
You mean you want to take it when masturbating? If that’s your question, I don’t recommend that at all.
If you just mean you are a normal person who masturbates, then it doesn’t have any relevance to how many mg you should take! Just take the smallest possible dosage to start with, or the amount your doctor recommends would be a better way to calculate it.
Ethan
IS the erectile dysfunction side effect of this drug permanent or temporary.
Hi Dan
If it’s an issue, it should hopefully be temporary.
Ethan
Can a woman use tramadol to have last sex?
Hi
I don’t know if it would help her in any way – I haven’t heard of it being used by women for sex.
Ethan
Hi Green. I don’t last in bed.. My penis always refuses to erect after releasing. Which normally happens within 3 to 4 minutes. At times it erect again after 2hours.. And will not still last long. I will still release after 5 minutes.. How can you help me?
Hi Lanki
Some men do just need longer between each ejaculation, especially as you get older. It happens to me too nowadays, unless I’m feeling particularly horny or take something like viagra!
As for the lasting time, well, the best thing is to read widely on this website as there are lots of useful articles and product reviews for things that can help!
Ethan
Hi Gladys
Well, tramadol is one option, but comes with risks. Another is dapoxetine. There are also desensitizing sprays which work well for many men.
Ethan
Hi, I am 63 years and I have this problem of PE for many years now. I take Vega (Viagra) sometimes. It gives good erection and some improvement on PE. I have read about tramadol. Is it safe to combine Vega and tramadol.
Hi Darlinton
The usual advice is not to combine them unless your doctor says it’s ok.
Ethan
Great drug I have took it for more than 10 years as needed for back and shoulder pain. I do not take it all the time maybe just a couple times per month . Or when I want to have great sex. I can satisfy my wife over and over. It is not addictive that what I like about after not taking for awhile seems to work even better. When I use to take er tram it became less effective. So injoy this great drug just don’t over do it you can keep going no problem
Hi Dave
Thanks for sharing your experience, it sounds like it works really well for you. Do remember that it is addictive though. Even though you took it for a long time for pain, it’s still worth remembering that it can lead to problems with dependency.
Ethan
pls for a guy of 20 yrs I don’t last more than 3 mins immediately I penetrate I will release, pls can tramadol help it?
Hi Immanuel
Yes, it’s possible tramadol can help. But I advise reading carefully about it and making an informed decision.
Ethan
If someone is using it for pain relief especially old age like 65yrs what side effect if he/she is using it regularly thanks
Hi Mayor
That’s something I recommend discussing with your personal doctor, or reading up on a medical website. Have a read of the drugs.com website for a starting point.
Ethan
Am I reading this right…it can be effective to just take it occasionally (not daily) and it would help with premature ejaculation during sex about an hour after taking it? Thus it isn’t a situation where it needs to be taken daily to build up in a persons system?
That’s correct Mike. If you only have sex once a month, you only need to take tramadol on that day, for example.
Ethan
I need to know the administration of the tramadol for longer erections. How many hours should I take it before sex for effectiveness.
Hi Mandy
It depends on the type, and it should have instructions for use. But usually around an hour before is the most common timing.
Ethan
Hi there
I’ve seen many reports from people that tramadol helped them with fatigue and boosted their energy levels. But my advice would be to get a medical assessment of what causes you so much tiredness in the first place. There could be many physical health conditions causing it, many of which are treatable without taking a strong drug like tramadol.
Ethan