Which medication class is used to treat sexual dysfunction in premature ejaculation?

• A. Tricyclic antidepressants
• B. PDE5 inhibitors
• C. SSRIs
• D. Androgens

Answer: (C)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors slow ejaculation by increasing serotonin in the central nervous system, which enhances inhibitory control of the ejaculatory reflex and raises the intravaginal ejaculatory latency time. This central serotonergic modulation is why SSRIs are the most effective and widely used pharmacologic treatment for premature ejaculation. Over days to weeks, men often experience a delayed time to ejaculation, improving control and satisfaction. While other drugs can influence sexual function, they don’t target the timing of ejaculation as directly: tricyclic antidepressants can delay ejaculation but carry more side effects; PDE5 inhibitors mainly help with erectile function and don’t primarily adjust ejaculation timing; androgens address hormone deficiency rather than ejaculation control.