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Premature ejaculation is a sexual disorder in which a person with a penis ejaculates quickly after commencing sexual activity. Several types of treatment are available to help delay ejaculation. These include sprays that a person can apply directly to the penis.

This article explores premature ejaculation sprays, including their effectiveness and how to use them. We also suggest a few products that people may wish to try.

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common condition in which a person ejaculates after minimal penile stimulation. People experiencing PE may expel semen shortly after foreplay or intercourse begins.

A person may experience PE due to various psychological and physical causes. Some of these include:

PE treatment focuses on helping a person delay ejaculation.

One option that a person may consider is using a premature ejaculation spray. These typically work by applying a local anesthetic to the penis so that a person experiences the sensations of foreplay and intercourse less intensely.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the use of desensitizing sprays for the penis if they meet certain criteria. For example, the spray must contain an approved, specified amount of one of two local anesthetics — lidocaine and benzocaine — as the key ingredient.

The approved amount of lidocaine is about 10 ml per spray. For benzocaine, it is 3-7.5% in a water-soluble base.

A 2020 study notes that topical medications such as sprays are the first option a person should try for treating premature ejaculation. However, no specific medication is approved in the United States for treating premature ejaculation.

Another study published in 2020 reports that topical agents increase the time a person can have sexual intercourse before ejaculating. However, the study notes that there is still limited data on topical agents’ effectiveness.

A 2017 article about PE spray suggests that the product could increase the amount of time before ejaculation.

The Urology Care Foundation instructs that premature ejaculation sprays should be applied 20 to 30 minutes before and then wiped off 5 to 10 minutes before a person engages in sexual intercourse. The association also warns that spays left on for too long may cause an erection to go away.

Medical News Today chooses PE products that meet the following criteria:

  • Reputation: MNT selects products from brands that have undergone internal vetting of medical and business standards. The brands we choose are reputable and reliable, with positive reviews and transparent business practices.
  • Safety: MNT selects products that state ingredients, side effects, and recommended dosage clearly.
  • Price:MNT selects products that suit a range of budgets, including choosing brands that offer both brand-name and generic Cialis.
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Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.

Best overall: Hims Climax Delay Spray

According to its manufacturer, Hims Climax Delay Spray may help increase the time before a man reaches climax by 64%.

The product contains lidocaine to reduce sensitivity without numbing. The FDA approves the use of lidocaine for delaying ejaculation.

Hims says the delay spray’s bottle helps a person use precise doses that help them achieve the best results. They recommend that an individual uses between 3 and 10 sprays. A person should use the spray for 10 to 15 minutes before sexual intercourse.

Users claim the product does extend the length of their sexual intercourse.

The Hims company offers a range of products to treat sexual dysfunction.

Hims sells the product as part of a subscription. It costs $29 for a two-month supply, and the customer is billed every 60 days.

Learn more about Hims here.

Best low cost: Stud 100 Male Genital Desensitizer Spray

Developed in 1970, Stud 100 spray contains the active ingredient lidocaine, 9.6%. It may help delay ejaculation in people experiencing premature ejaculation.

The manufacturers recommend applying three or more sprays, but no more than 10. A person should apply the spray to the shaft and head of the penis.

Consumer reviews of this product are largely positive, with people stating that it helps them last longer during sexual intercourse. One user said it helped save their marriage. Another described it as the best spray they had ever tried.

The product costs between $15.97 and $17.50 for a 7/16 fl. oz. bottle. Orders of two or more bottles come with free shipping on the manufacturers’ website.

Best adjustable dosage: Promescent Delay Spray

The manufacturer of this patented lidocaine-based spray states that it is FDA-compliant. It also claims the product is physician-recommended. The product absorbs into the skin, numbs the nerves, and delays ejaculation.

Clinical research examining the effects of this spray reports that, on average, it increased the participants’ time before ejaculation from 6.81 minutes to 11.16 minutes.

With its TargetZone technology, the spray is customizable to a person’s needs. Individuals can try applying more or less each time until they identify the amount that suits their sensitivity level.

The product costs $22.95 for a 20-spray bottle and $59.95 for a 60-spray bottle. The products come with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Best travel-friendly: K-Y Duration Desensitizing Delay Spray

As with the other products on this list, this spray contains lidocaine to desensitize the penis. The company notes that the FDA approves the use of lidocaine for delaying ejaculation.

The manufacturers advise applying at least three sprays to the penis before intercourse. They also advise people not to exceed 10 sprays. The bottle features what the brand describes as an easy-to-use pump-spray format.

Consumer reviews of this product state that it is effective but comes in a very small-sized bottle.

The product sells for $19.97 for a .16-ounce bottle.

Learn more about K-Y Duration Spray here.

Best fast acting: VigRX Delay Spray

This delay spray contains benzocaine to relax the nerves in the penis and delay ejaculation.

According to the manufacturer, the product may work within 10 minutes after application.

Users claim it only takes one spray to achieve results. A person can apply one additional spray for longer delays with ejaculation. One spray reportedly works for 20 to 30 minutes.

The company says the spray is manufactured in a cGMP-compliant facility to meet health and safety guidelines. It comes with a 67-day money-back guarantee.

A one-month supply costs $49.95, and a two-month supply costs $89.95.

Each product is likely to have unique instructions and dosage recommendations.

In general, a person using a spray product will need to spray it onto the head and shaft of the penis. To allow the product to absorb, a person should apply it 5–15 minutes before engaging in sexual activity.

After intercourse or sexual activity, a person must wash the product off.

Due to the decrease in sensitivity that the spray causes, it is possible that a person may have difficulty maintaining their erection.

As with other products on the skin, there is also a risk that it may cause:

  • irritation
  • a burning sensation
  • redness
  • itching

If swelling of the genital or anus area occurs after using a spray product, a person should stop their use of the product and seek medical attention.

It is important to note that any of these side effects may also affect any partners of the person using the product.

Sprays may provide a short-term solution for people experiencing PE. However, a person may wish to try more long-term treatments that address the underlying cause:

Medication

A doctor may prescribe medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which may help address PE.

Alternatively, if the cause of PE is a physical condition, such as an issue with the thyroid, a doctor may provide oral medication to address the underlying condition directly.

Learn about the best pills for PE here.

Premature ejaculation wipes

Premature ejaculation wipes contain low doses of benzocaine, a mild topical anesthetic that helps delay ejaculation. Benzocaine helps reduce the skin’s sensitivity on the head and shaft of the penis so that a person may not reach climax as quickly as they would without using the wipes.

A person should use these wipes and allow the area to dry a few minutes before engaging in sexual activity. The benzocaine should minimize overstimulation without numbing the penis.

Learn about the best desensitizing wipes for premature ejaculation here.

Condoms

Certain condoms, known as long lasting condoms, may help desensitize the penis to delay a person’s ejaculation and prolong sexual intercourse. Typically, these condoms are made with slightly thicker materials than other condoms designed to maximize sensitivity.

Some long lasting condoms may contain anesthetic ingredients, such as benzocaine or lidocaine, to further increase desensitization and delay ejaculation.

A 2017 review indicates that benzocaine and lidocaine help desensitize penile nerves to delay ejaculation.

Learn about the best condoms for lasting longer here.

Sex therapy

If the reason why a person is experiencing PE is psychological, a sex therapist may be able to help. They can advise on behavioral techniques to overcome PE and provide counseling to help address any emotional issues or trauma.

Learn more about sex therapy here.

Behavioral techniques

Behavioral techniques are methods that a person can practice to delay their ejaculation.

One example is the stop-start technique, which involves a person (or their partner) stimulating their penis until they feel they are about to ejaculate. Before they do, they stop and let the sensation pass.

The person should repeat this process a few times before allowing ejaculation.

The following are some of the most frequently asked questions about premature ejaculation sprays.

Does premature ejaculation spray work?

According to a study published in 2020, premature ejaculation sprays help delay ejaculation. However, the study also notes that there is still limited data on topical agents’ effectiveness.

How long does a delay spray last?

The amount of time the effects of a delay spray last may vary from person to person. Most companies that manufacture these sprays say the effects last from 20 to 30 minutes and possibly longer with continuous use.

Are premature ejaculation delay sprays safe?

The FDA approves the use of premature ejaculation sprays that contain specified amounts of lidocaine and benzocaine, which are local anesthetics. The approved amount of lidocaine is about 10 ml per spray. For benzocaine, it is 3-7.5% in a water-soluble base.

Users should be aware that, like any product applied to the skin, premature ejaculation sprays may cause irritation, burning sensations, redness, or itching. A person should seek medical attention if they experience swelling around the areas of application.

Premature ejaculation occurs when a person ejaculates quickly with minimal sexual stimulation, and it has many possible causes. People can try various methods and treatments to prevent the symptoms of PE. These include using desensitizing sprays.

Clinical evidence suggests that sprays may effectively increase the time until ejaculation. They work by applying a local anesthetic to the penis, making sexual activity feel less intense.