Lidocaine for Premature Ejaculation: How to Use It Safely
Premature ejaculation (PE) means ejaculation that happens sooner than you’d like during sex.
It can be embarrassing and distressing, but thankfully, there are many premature ejaculation treatments available, including lidocaine spray.
You may be familiar with lidocaine as a numbing injection for dental procedures, but it can also be used as a topical anesthetic to reduce sensitivity in your penis—delaying ejaculation and helping you last longer in bed.
Below, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about lidocaine spray for premature ejaculation, including how it works, how to use the penis-numbing spray safely, and the possible side effects (beyond becoming an absolute stud in the bedroom).
Why Does Premature Ejaculation Happen?
Why, oh, why does premature ejaculation happen?! Before we get into the potential benefits of lidocaine for premature ejaculation, let’s cover some background knowledge on this type of sexual dysfunction.
There are a few different definitions for premature ejaculation. The International Society for Sexual Medicine defines it as ejaculation that occurs within a minute (lifelong PE) or within three minutes (acquired PE) of vaginal penetration and before you’d like it to happen. Lifelong premature ejaculation begins with the first sexual experience and persists, while acquired premature ejaculation develops later after a period of normal control.
By the way, it takes men an average of five to seven minutes to reach orgasm and ejaculation during sex. So don’t believe all the bragging you hear about three-hour-long sex sessions.
You might not talk about it with your guy friends, but premature ejaculation is pretty common. Its prevalence is thought to be anywhere from 4 to 39 percent of men (although reports are subjective and estimates vary widely), and it’s considered the most widespread male sexual disorder.
improve performance with doctor-trusted treatments
What Causes Premature Ejaculation?
So, why does it happen, exactly? Premature ejaculation can be related to both physical and psychological factors.
Physical risk factors of PE include:
Hyperthyroidism
Abnormal levels of serotonin
Diabetes
Inflammation or infection of the prostate or urethra (where pee comes out)
Recreational drug use
Alcohol abuse
Sleep deprivation (another reason to get your recommended seven to nine hours of shut-eye each night)
Psychological risk factor of PE include:
Stress
Anxiety
Depression
Relationship problems
Performance anxiety
Poor body image
Check out our guide to preventing premature ejaculation to learn more.
Lidocaine Spray for Premature Ejaculation
Now let’s move on to lidocaine spray.
Lidocaine is a topical treatment for premature ejaculation. As a local anesthetic, it slightly dulls sensitivity in the penis, helping to delay ejaculation while still allowing for pleasurable sensations.
If you’ve ever had a root canal or your wisdom teeth removed, there’s a chance you’ve experienced the numbing effects of lidocaine. Although, don’t worry—with topical lidocaine for PE, you won’t go completely numb, only slightly less sensitive than usual.
Lidocaine is available in spray, cream, and gel formulations, which you can buy over the counter and online.
Simply apply the penis-numbing cream or spray before sex and boom, you should last longer in bed.
Clinical Trials and Research on Lidocaine for PE
Want proof?
A 2022 study looked at how a lidocaine-based spray affected 150 men with self-reported PE.
The results showed that the lidocaine spray increased average ejaculation latency time (the time it takes to ejaculate) from less than one minute to more than two minutes in more than half of the study participants.
Beyond that, 80 percent of the men said they were sexually satisfied, and 70 percent said they were happy with their ejaculatory control when using the product.
A 2017 study looked at a lidocaine-prilocaine spray called Fortacin®. (Prilocaine is another desensitizing agent.) The study found that the product was fast-acting, working within five minutes of men spraying it onto the glans (head) of their penis.
The spray reduced penis sensitivity and delayed ejaculation time without negatively affecting the sensation of ejaculation or orgasm.
A 2021 placebo-controlled study found that applying 5% lidocaine on the penis 10 to 20 minutes before sex helped guys with PE last longer in bed and have more sex overall compared to those who used a placebo.
According to a 2023 review of 11 randomized controlled trials involving over 2,000 participants with PE, lidocaine was more effective at increasing intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (how long it takes to ejaculate) than a placebo or other treatments.
Lidocaine for Sex: Pros and Cons
There are a few pros to using lidocaine spray for premature ejaculation:
It’s available over the counter — no prescription needed.
You can use it whenever the need arises.
There are limited systemic side effects like those you can get from other PE treatments, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
There are a few cons as well, including:
You may have to wait a little while for lidocaine to kick in before having sex, reducing spontaneity.
It can cause numbness in your penis and in your partner’s vagina or genital area.
It can be messy (although sprays may be less messy than creams).
We’ve got a full guide on lidocaine cream versus spray, including the pros and cons of each.
Be ready for sex whenever you’re in the mood
How to Use Lidocaine Spray for Premature Ejaculation
It’s easy to use lidocaine spray for premature ejaculation.
Here’s what to do:
Spray the product onto the most sensitive areas of your penis 10 to 15 minutes before you plan on having sex.
Wait.
Wash your hands and wipe off any excess product, or take a quick shower before sexual activity.
And voila—you should last longer in bed.
Use just one spray of lidocaine at first. If you don’t notice any improvement, try increasing the dose in line with the instructions provided by your penis spray.
If some of the numbing effects rub off on your partner, consider using a condom next time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lidocaine Spray
You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers.
PE is an important men’s health issue, and we want you to have the tools you need. Here’s everything else you need to know about using lidocaine for premature ejaculation.
Is Lidocaine Spray Safe?
Yes, topical lidocaine penis spray is safe when used as directed. Local anesthetics like lidocaine have been used for decades to help men last longer in bed.
Lidocaine is used in dentistry and surgery. There are plenty of studies on lidocaine spray for premature ejaculation, and the side effects appear to be mild and rare.
There’s just one caveat: If you’re allergic to lidocaine, don’t use lidocaine spray.
And keep these essential guidelines in mind:
Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
Apply only to the intended area in small amounts.
Avoid using on broken or irritated skin.
Does Lidocaine Spray Have Side Effects?
Yes, lidocaine spray can have side effects.
Lidocaine spray’s side effects may include:
Numbness in your penis (like, more than you bargained for), which could cause erectile dysfunction (ED) and put off orgasm altogether
Irritation in your penis
Numbness and/or irritation in your partner’s vagina or genital area
If your partner experiences numbness, try wiping off the spray before penetration or wearing a condom to avoid transferring lidocaine to their genitals.
Topical PE treatments have also been linked to loss of pleasure, erection, and orgasm. But these side effects are rare, and because you can easily stop using lidocaine spray, it may still be worth a try.
Can You Use Lidocaine Spray if Your Partner Is Pregnant?
Yes, you can use lidocaine spray if your partner is pregnant.
The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) classifies lidocaine as a category B medication, meaning it’s typically safe for use during pregnancy in healthy people.
That said, double-check with your healthcare provider before using lidocaine spray for PE with a pregnant partner. Benzocaine, another topical anesthetic often used for PE, is considered category C in pregnancy, meaning its safety for the unborn child is unknown due to a lack of human studies.
Is It Safe to Use Lidocaine Spray With Viagra® and Other ED Drugs?
Lidocaine spray is safe to use with Viagra (and generic sildenafil) and other ED drugs.
Lidocaine is used to treat premature ejaculation, which can occur alongside erectile dysfunction. You might be taking Viagra to help with erections. Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors like Cialis might also help PE in some cases.
Using both Viagra and lidocaine spray may not be more effective, though. One small study from 2006 showed that using both Viagra and a cream containing lidocaine is equally effective at treating PE as using lidocaine cream alone.
Be sure to speak to a healthcare provider about any medication you’re taking before introducing something new into the mix.
How Long Do the Effects of Lidocaine Spray Last?
The effects of lidocaine spray can last one to three hours. Most of the time, you’ll feel the numbing effects of lidocaine spray and reduced sensitivity during sex for about an hour after applying it to your penis.
Should You Apply Lidocaine Spray While Erect or Flaccid?
You can apply lidocaine spray while erect or flaccid. Just be sure to spray the product onto your penis about 10 to 20 minutes before sex to give it some time to work its magic.
Is Lidocaine Spray Safe for Oral Sex?
Yes, lidocaine spray is safe for oral sex — as long as your partner doesn’t have a lidocaine allergy.
Wait 10 to 20 minutes after applying it and wipe off any product residue or hop in the shower before oral sex.
If your partner accidentally ingests lidocaine orally during sexual activity, you should contact the poison control center in your area, especially if high amounts were ingested.
Can You Use Lidocaine Spray With a Lubricant?
Lidocaine spray is completely safe to use with a sexual lubricant. Wait 10 to 20 minutes before having sex to ensure the lidocaine spray is completely dry and effective. And wash off any remaining spray before getting started.
Can Lidocaine Spray Reduce Sensitivity for Your Partner?
Yes, unfortunately, lidocaine spray can reduce sensitivity for your partner.
Make sure you’re waiting 10 to 20 minutes after spraying lidocaine on your penis before sexual intercourse.
If your partner is still experiencing numbness, try:
Washing your hands after using lidocaine
Wiping off any excess product or taking a shower before sex
Wearing a condom (groan, we know, don’t @ us)
Does Lidocaine Spray Protect From Pregnancy or STIs?
No, lidocaine spray doesn’t protect you from pregnancy or STIs.
Lidocaine spray is designed to delay ejaculation — but that’s about it. It’s not a form of contraception.
Use condoms or other forms of protection and birth control to protect yourself from STIs and pregnancy. Stay safe out there.
Alternatives to Lidocaine Spray for PE
Lidocaine spray is an evidence-based treatment for premature ejaculation, but it’s not your only option.
If topical lidocaine isn’t producing the effects you’d like or it causes side effects, try a different treatment. Even if it works, using multiple modalities could be a more effective approach when it comes to treating PE.
The FDA has not approved any medication as a treatment for premature ejaculation, including lidocaine sprays. Treatments for premature ejaculation are often used off-label and include:
Other topical products. Besides sexual numbing spray, you can buy other topical PE products (like wipes) that reduce sensitivity in the penis. These include benzocaine or prilocaine. Some products contain a mixture of desensitizing agents, and you can even get special condoms for premature ejaculation.
Behavioral techniques. Try the stop-start technique (when you hit pause on your sex session just before you’re going to climax and wait until the urge passes before starting again). You could do the squeeze technique (essentially the same method but with the addition of gently squeezing the tip of your penis to reduce arousal). Or, you can try edging, which is repeatedly getting near to orgasm—but not quite—to prolong sex.
Pelvic floor exercises. Regularly doing pelvic floor exercises can strengthen those muscles. Research shows that pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation can increase the time to ejaculation from less than one minute to over two minutes on average.
Distract yourself. Think about something else during sex to get your mind off the task at hand. This can help to buy you some more time in bed.
Use a condom. If you don’t already, try wearing condoms during sex to desensitize your penis further.
Masturbate before sex. Know you’re going to get it on? Have some “me-time” beforehand. Masturbating before sex can help you last longer the second time around due to the refractory period — a window after ejaculation when you’re less able to reach orgasm and ejaculate again. But keep in mind that masturbating too closely to when you plan to have partnered sex may make getting an erection difficult.
Therapy. Premature ejaculation can have many psychological causes. Therapy can help get to the root of the problem if factors like performance anxiety, depression, or relationship problems are contributing to PE.
PE medication. Premature ejaculation pills include off-label antidepressants and ED medication. Some of the most common are SSRIs like sertraline (the active ingredient in Zoloft®), paroxetine (Paxil®), and fluoxetine (Prozac®), and PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil (Viagra).
We’ve also covered home remedies for premature ejaculation to try.
Trusted treatment for PE
Traditional Pill
Priligy® (Dapoxetine) for PE
From £8/use
Priligy®️, the branded version of dapoxetine, is the only licensed and clinically approved medication to treat premature ejaculation. It has been shown to increase the time to climax by up to 3 times.
Traditional Pill
Sildenafil for PE
From £2.36/use
Sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra®) can be taken as needed to delay ejaculation and improve sexual quality of life.2 Plus, it can help you get another erection more easily after orgasm. Round two?
Traditional Pill
Tadalafil Daily for PE
From £21/month
Tadalafil Daily (the active ingredient as Cialis®) can help improve climax control and overall bedroom performance2. A once-per-day pill that builds up in your system over several days and allows you to be ready for intimacy on your schedule. Being ready to go at any time? Hot.
Important safety information for Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Tadalafil Daily or Viagra Connect.
The Bottom Line on Lidocaine Spray for Premature Ejaculation
The bottom line? Lidocaine numbing spray can help you last longer in bed, increasing everything from sexual performance to satisfaction for all parties involved. Woo!
Here’s the summary:
Give it 10 to 20 minutes before having sex. Spray lidocaine onto the tip of your penis and wait before having sex. It’s that easy.
Lidocaine numbing spray comes with potential side effects. These include irritation and numbness in your penis or your partner’s genitals.
Try multiple premature ejaculation treatments. Lidocaine is effective, but you might find using multiple methods helps in the treatment of premature ejaculation. Consider the squeeze technique, sex therapy, and PE meds like SSRIs, if needed.
Ready to up your game in the bedroom? You can connect with a licensed healthcare provider online through our sexual health platform to discuss the best PE treatments for you.
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 doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.