Benzocaine vs. Lidocaine for Premature Ejaculation

Premature ejaculation (PE) can be frustrating, but thankfully, treatment options are available. This includes topical anesthetics like lidocaine and benzocaine. But which is stronger, faster-acting or all-around better? We’re here to clear the air on benzocaine versus lidocaine for premature ejaculation.

Used clinically as painkillers, the numbing effects of these medications reduce sensation in the penis, allowing sexual stimulation to continue for longer before ejaculation occurs.

Answering the question of which is better is hard because it really depends on your individual needs and preferences.

Read on to learn about benzocaine and lidocaine for PE, how they differ and how to determine which might be right for you.

Benzocaine and lidocaine aren’t exactly the same thing, but they do have many things in common.

Topical anesthetics like benzocaine gel or lidocaine spray are usually used to numb an area of the body before medical procedures to reduce a patient’s pain perception.

Both medications do this by interfering with the communication between nerve cells, effectively cutting the wire of communication and letting your brain know when you’re experiencing pain.

Many over-the-counter products containing these ingredients are used to soothe sore throats, toothaches, burns and other injuries with high pain thresholds.

But this numbing effect can also be used for one particular recreational purpose: creating a desensitizing sensation in the penis.

Topical benzocaine and lidocaine share similar functions, primarily in that they provide a numbing or desensitizing effect on the area they’re applied. But it’s fair to say there’s a meaningful number of differences you should understand before trying one at home.

Here’s a brief rundown of the two medications.

What Is Benzocaine?

Benzocaine is a type of local anesthetic used for pain management, particularly to inhibit pain caused by needle injections. It’s FDA-approved for use in the form of a gel, liquid and lozenge, but benzocaine spray has not yet received approval for specific uses in the mouth.

The use of benzocaine as a topical treatment for pain management and as a desensitizing agent for premature ejaculation is generally considered safe.

However, it could cause allergic reactions and other hypersensitivity-related reactions in some people. These responses to the medication are largely seen in children and the elderly population.

What Is Lidocaine?

Lidocaine, formerly known as lignocaine, is an amino amide local anesthetic. First discovered to be an effective pain reducer in the 1940s, use of the medication quickly spread due to its safety compared to earlier anesthetic agent options.

Lidocaine is used both as an injection and as a topical anesthetic to manage localized pain. This medication is commonly used to numb mucous membranes in the mouth, throat and rectum, but it can also be applied to the penis as a solution for premature ejaculation.

It rarely causes side effects, especially when applied topically.

Which Is Stronger: Lidocaine or Benzocaine?

Lidocaine is technically a stronger local anesthetic than benzocaine, though they’re often considered equally effective when used for PE.

Side Effects of Benzocaine vs. Lidocaine

As noted, side effects for both topical benzocaine and topical lidocaine are rare.

However, if you experience blurred vision, dizziness, breathing problems, chest pain, dark urine or a drop in blood pressure, stop using the medication and seek medical attention.

As a treatment for premature ejaculation, both benzocaine and lidocaine need to be applied for the correct amount of time.

After applying these medicated creams, sprays, gels or wipes to the penis, wait five to 15 minutes (depending on the product) to allow time for the medication to take effect and to reduce the possibility of transferring some of the medication to your partner.

When in doubt, follow the directions included with your medication or go with your healthcare provider’s instructions.

Other treatments for premature ejaculation include behavioral therapy, mental health counseling and oral medications. Here’s what to know.

Exercises, Behavioral Therapy and Counseling for PE

This bucket of treatment involves working with a medical provider, mental health counselor or sex therapist to modify physical and emotional habits around having sex or training yourself by doing exercises and certain techniques.

It can include activities you perform by yourself or with your partner to help you learn how to delay orgasm — by bringing yourself close to orgasm and then reducing stimulation. 

Two strategies for delaying ejaculation are the stop-start technique and the squeeze method. Pelvic floor therapy has also been shown to improve ejaculatory control.

Additionally, you can work through the condition mentally to address performance anxiety, depression and issues with your relationship dynamic.

Oral Medication for PE

Antidepressants, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are an “off-label” treatment for premature ejaculation.

Off-label use means that while these drugs have been approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) to treat depression, they haven’t been approved for this particular use — but healthcare providers can still prescribe them for PE.

SSRIs include sertraline, paroxetine, escitalopram, citalopram and fluoxetine. You may know them better by their respective brand names, Zoloft^®, Paxil^®, Lexapro^®, Celexa^® and Prozac^®. These medications work by the way they affect serotonin, a chemical messenger in the brain.

One additional antidepressant sometimes used to treat PE is clomipramine (generic for Anafranil^®), which has a somewhat different mechanism to those listed above.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) medication is also sometimes used to treat premature ejaculation, particularly when erectile dysfunction occurs alongside PE. Drugs for this include Cialis^® (and its generic tadalafil), Stendra^® (the brand name for avanafil), Viagra^® (and its generic sildenafil) and Levitra^® (and its generic vardenafil).

ED medications have some variance in how long they need to be taken before planned sexual activity in order to be effective.

New Research on PE Treatments

More recent research has also shown promise in reducing sensation in the penis with injections of hyaluronic acid, a medication that’s long been used for the augmentation of soft tissues. However, wider studies need to be conducted.

Benzocaine and lidocaine formulations are designed to deal with everything from sunburn and needle insertion to pain from ulcers or dental procedures — they’re truly marvelous pain-relief products. And for men who want a little extra stamina, they’re also great options for PE management.

Maybe you’re looking for ways to manage premature ejaculation that doesn’t include taking a pill. Or perhaps you’re searching for a quick fix as you work through therapies to help you last longer before ejaculation. In any case, topical anesthesia like lidocaine or benzocaine might be the fix you’re looking for.

You just have to pick the right one. Here’s what to keep in mind when deciding between benzocaine and lidocaine.

• Lidocaine is considered a stronger local anesthetic when compared to benzocaine, but both can be effective for PE.

• Lidocaine and benzocaine may come in different forms to use, so pick what feels most natural to you.

• In both cases, you’ll need to wait 5–15 minutes (depending on the specific product) to give the medication time to work and reduce the risk of transferring some to your partner.

Still not sure where to start? It might be worth talking to a professional.

For your optimal PE treatment plan, consult a healthcare provider. They can help you choose the right premature ejaculation treatment, which may include products like our Clockstopper benzocaine wipes or Delay Spray.  

Be numb to increase intimacy, not to intimacy itself. Reach out for treatment guidance today.