Vitamins for Premature Ejaculation
Premature ejaculation, or PE, is a common sexual performance issue affecting up to 39 percent of adult men. As you might suspect, guys with PE consider every treatment avenue, including over-the-counter topicals, prescription medications and even purported vitamins for premature ejaculation.
Currently, there’s very little scientific evidence to suggest that vitamins for premature ejaculation are effective. While some studies do suggest that nutrient deficiencies may play a role in the development of PE, taking a supplement would only help in the rare case you’re dealing with a true deficiency.
Below, we’ll explain what PE is and the factors thought to cause it. We’ll also discuss options for treating premature ejaculation, including the latest studies on vitamins, minerals and other natural treatments.
Are There Really Vitamins to Make You Last Longer in Bed?
Over the years, researchers have looked at various nutritional factors that could be involved in the development of PE.
Currently, research suggests a variety of physical and psychological factors, like:
Abnormal levels of certain hormones that control behaviour, brain activity and sexual functions, such as luteinizing hormone, serotonin, prolactin and thyroid-stimulating hormone
Some types of infections and inflammation affecting your prostate or urethra that can negatively affect your sex life
Psychological issues that can contribute to PE, including anxiety, depression, guilt, stress and lack of sexual self-confidence
Certain life events, such as relationship issues or a personal history of abuse
Our guide to premature ejaculation discusses these factors and the roles they may play in PE in more detail.
While vitamins aren’t on this list, they might directly or indirectly contribute to sexual function issues. This means they could be considered treatment options for guys dealing with PE.
The Best Supplements for Premature Ejaculation
Should you take a vitamin or supplement for PE? And if so, which one? The answer is a bit complicated.
What are the best delayed ejaculation supplements? They often contain the following vitamins for premature ejaculation:
Vitamin B12
Vitamin D
Zinc
Folic Acid
Biotin
Several studies of PE have looked at the potential effects of vitamins in male sexual function and performance. Interestingly, some have discovered a possible link between low levels of certain vitamins and an increased risk of premature ejaculation.
For example, a 2019 study published in the International Brazilian Journal of Urology found that men with acquired premature ejaculation usually have lower serum vitamin D levels than men with normal sexual function.
The researchers found that low levels of vitamin D were an independent risk factor for PE and suggested that supplementation may be helpful for treating premature ejaculation.
A different study published in the journal Andrologia in 2017 found a link between low levels of vitamin B12 and premature ejaculation.
One study claimed that lifelong premature ejaculation might be improved by consuming zinc, biotin and folic acid. Research suggests that biotin (vitamin B7) plays a role in moderating sexual function and wellness. Meanwhile, zinc supplementation can improve testosterone levels, and folic acid can boost serotonin levels. All of these affect your risk of PE.
But the study’s evidence-based conclusions weren’t airtight — erectile function and the ejaculatory reflex are complicated processes. So although vitamins are essential, they’re not a cure.
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Should You Use Supplements for Premature Ejaculation?
While the studies above are interesting, it’s vital to keep in mind that the total amount of research on vitamin levels and premature ejaculation isn’t very large right now.
It’s also important to consider that although low levels of certain vitamins may be associated with PE in a few small studies, there isn’t any evidence suggesting that using vitamin supplements treats PE for everyone.
Moreover, vitamin deficiency is typically rare. So while your levels of magnesium might indeed be so low that they’re causing sexual dysfunction, you need to have that diagnosed first.
On a similar note, there could be a link between vitamin D levels and PE, but consuming a daily vitamin D supplement isn’t a guaranteed fix.
If your premature ejaculation is caused by anxiety, depression or stress, it’s unlikely that taking a vitamin supplement will produce any noticeable improvements in ejaculation time or general sexual function.
If you’re worried about PE and think you might have a vitamin deficiency, the best thing to do is to talk to a healthcare provider.
Most vitamin deficiencies can be diagnosed with simple tests. For instance, it’s easy to check serum levels of vitamin D and vitamin B12 — two nutrients associated with PE — with a blood test.
Be ready for sex whenever you’re in the mood
Alternatives to Premature Ejaculation Supplements
Taking a vitamin supplement could help if you have premature ejaculation caused by a specific vitamin deficiency, such as low serum levels of vitamin D or B12.
However, if PE is happening because of something other than low levels of certain vitamins, you’ll likely get better results from treatments that specifically address the causes of premature ejaculation.
Currently, the most effective treatments for PE include behavioural techniques, over-the-counter sprays, creams and wipes, and prescription medications.
Behavioral Techniques
If you have mild premature ejaculation, you might be able to delay ejaculation and improve your sexual performance by using simple behavioural techniques. This includes the squeeze technique, the stop-start method and exercising pelvic floor muscles (aka Kegels).
These practical approaches can be repeated as needed during sex, helping you last longer and avoid ejaculating too early.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
Several over-the-counter medications are available for PE, including sprays, creams and wipes containing topical anaesthetics. These treatments work by reducing sensitivity in your penis, allowing you to have more control of ejaculation.
For example, our climax-delay spray contains the anaesthetic lidocaine to lower sensitivity without overly numbing your penis. Our guide to lidocaine spray for premature ejaculation goes into more detail about how topical medications for PE work.
Prescription Medications
Although there’s currently no FDA-approved medication for premature ejaculation, several drugs are used off-label as PE treatments. (Off-label use means a med is prescribed to treat something the U.S. Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved it for.)
These include antidepressants and erectile dysfunction (ED) medications linked to improvements in sexual stamina.
Right now, the most common prescription drugs for treating PE are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. These medications — generally used to treat depression — work by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter serotonin (aka “the happy chemical”) in your brain.
Research suggests that serotonin, which regulates your moods and feelings, helps to inhibit the process of orgasm and ejaculation.
PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil (generic Viagra Connect) also help to slow down orgasm to treat premature ejaculation. Your healthcare provider may recommend combining this type of medication with an SSRI for optimal results.
Trusted treatment for PE
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Priligy® (Dapoxetine) for PE
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Sildenafil for PE
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Tadalafil Daily for PE
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Important safety information for Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Tadalafil Daily or Viagra Connect.
Vitamins to Last Longer in Bed: Takeaways
Sexual intercourse calls for comfort and confidence. And if your recent sexual experiences have left you feeling self-conscious, premature ejaculation treatment may help.
But it’s unclear whether vitamins are that treatment. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Though low vitamin levels are a potential risk factor for premature ejaculation, they generally aren’t viewed as a major cause.
However, research into the potential link between vitamins and premature ejaculation is still in its early stages, meaning we could find out more in the future.
If you’re affected by PE and think it’s related to a vitamin deficiency, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider.
They may have you do a blood test to check your vitamin B12 or vitamin D levels and, if appropriate, suggest a vitamin supplement or another medical treatment of premature ejaculation, like an SSRI.
Worried about PE? We offer multiple evidence-based premature ejaculation treatments online.
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 GP about the risks and benefits of any treatment.