Does Cialis Make You Last Longer?

Picture this: Things are getting hot and heavy, and then suddenly…

Don’t you hate interruptions? They’re especially annoying in the form of premature ejaculation (aka PE). Climaxing quickly can bring feelings of shame and embarrassment, but you’re not alone. PE is one of the most common male sexual disorders, affecting up to 39 percent of men (but estimates vary).

If you’re trying to control ejaculation or deal with PE in your relationship, you might wonder, Does Cialis^® make you last longer in bed?

Cialis (the brand name for tadalafil) isn’t a go-to treatment for premature ejaculation. But it might help prolong the time it takes to reach orgasm, helping you have longer, more satisfying sex.

We’ll share why healthcare professionals prescribe tadalafil, how Cialis works, whether it can help with PE, and alternatives to Cialis if the goal is to last longer.

If you’re “reaching the finish line“ in under three minutes, it’s possible you have premature ejaculation — even more likely if that time is under a minute.

Sure, you can help your partner reach orgasm without penetration, but PE can be pretty devastating when you’re in the throes of passion. If you have premature ejaculation, it’s likely causing distress for you and your partner.

Premature ejaculation also often goes hand in hand with erectile dysfunction (ED). According to one study involving 937 Taiwanese males between ages 20 and 60, about 76 percent of those with PE also had ED.

Cialis (with the active ingredient tadalafil) is part of a class of erectile dysfunction medications known as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors). It works by inhibiting the PDE5 enzyme, which helps relax blood vessels and improves blood flow to the penis.

Other popular PDE5 inhibitors include Viagra^® (sildenafil), Levitra^® (vardenafil), and Stendra^® (avanafil).

Your healthcare provider might prescribe tadalafil to help with medical conditions like:

• Erectile dysfunction. Cialis is FDA-approved to treat erectile dysfunction. ED means you have trouble getting or keeping an erection long enough for penetrative sex. Cialis and similar ED treatments help by improving blood flow to the penis during sexual arousal — and voilà! — erection resurrection.

• Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). High blood pressure (hypertension) can affect the arteries supplying blood and oxygen from the heart to the lungs. Tadalafil and its other brand name, Adcirca^®, can help chill out the blood vessels in your lungs so your heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood.

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Cialis is also approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) to treat symptoms of BPH, a non-cancerous prostate enlargement. The medication relaxes prostate and bladder muscles, making it easier to pee.

But does tadalafil make you last longer? What about other ED medications? They just might. Keep reading to find out how.

The list of FDA-approved uses for Cialis doesn’t include premature ejaculation. However, studies show tadalafil and other PDE5 inhibitors could help with PE when used off-label.

Off-label use means a licensed medical provider prescribes a drug to treat something it’s not specifically FDA-approved for. This is totally legal and common.

How does Cialis make you last longer in bed? Let’s look at the research.

Research on PDE5 Inhibitors for Premature Ejaculation

A 2017 study found that a 5-milligram (mg) daily dose of tadalafil successfully prolonged intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) — how long it takes to reach ejaculation.

Before the study, the average time for ejaculation to happen was about 2.2 minutes, with some variation. After three months of treatment with tadalafil, the average time increased to roughly 3.4 minutes.

Does Cialis keep you from ejaculating? No. But it might slow things down a bit.

Other PDE5 inhibitors may work similarly. Another study of men with PE found that those who took sildenafil (generic Viagra) were able to last slightly longer than those who took a placebo. The difference wasn’t statistically significant, but participants in the sildenafil group reported better sexual satisfaction and increased confidence.

Yet another study involving 180 men with PE looked at the effectiveness of three treatments: 50 milligrams of sildenafil, 20 milligrams of paroxetine, and the squeeze technique (which we’ll dive into a little later). After six months, those taking sildenafil saw the most significant improvements in PE and had higher sexual satisfaction.

Experts have not yet determined why ED medications might help with premature ejaculation. But since PDE5 inhibitors treat ED, some medical professionals may prescribe them to those who suffer from both ED and PE symptoms. 

Learn more about Viagra and PE in our guide.

You won’t necessarily experience side effects when taking a medication like Cialis. Still, it helps to have an idea of what they are so you know what’s typical versus when to worry.

It’s also important to follow your healthcare provider’s medical advice and take the dose of Cialis they prescribe — whether that’s a daily dose or as needed.

Here are a few common side effects of Cialis:

• Headache

• Flushing

• Stomach issues like indigestion 

• Muscle aches or back pain

• Stuffy nose

• Dizziness

More serious side effects of tadalafil can occur, such as:

• Vision changes

• Hearing loss

• Painful, prolonged erections (priapism)

• Allergic reaction

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these severe side effects while taking Cialis.

And FYI, combining Cialis with some medications like nitrates or recreational drugs (poppers) can cause drug interactions like dangerously low blood pressure, which can lead to dizziness, fainting, heart attack, or even death. If you feel dizzy or experience chest pain after taking Cialis, seek immediate medical attention.

You also should tell your healthcare provider if you’ve recently had a heart attack or stroke or if you have angina (chest pain), heart disease, or heart failure before asking for Cialis. Make sure to give your healthcare provider a full picture of your medical history.

Another little thing to keep in mind is that grapefruit juice can increase the concentration of Cialis in your bloodstream, which could lead to adverse effects. So avoid this citrus fruit when using the medication.

You talked to a professional and decided together that Cialis isn’t your best option. That’s okay! There are plenty of alternatives to Cialis for premature ejaculation to consider.

Let’s break them down.

Topical Treatments to Last Longer

Topical treatments work by desensitizing the penis and reducing sensations during sexual activity, thus delaying ejaculation. They essentially make your penis less sensitive to touch so you can last longer in bed.

Common desensitizing agents include benzocaine and lidocaine. Desensitizing treatments come in a few forms, including creams, sprays, and wipes. And they’re typically available over the counter (OTC).

Follow the manufacturer’s directions when using topical treatments like Clockstopper benzocaine wipes. But typically, these products should be applied to your entire penis, from tip to shaft.

In many cases, they need time to work their magic (actually, it’s science). After a few minutes, you can get down to it.

Quick caution: When trying desensitizing agents, be sure to wipe off any excess product to prevent it from affecting your partner’s parts and impacting their sexual stimulation.

PE Medications

There are currently no FDA-approved medications for premature ejaculation. That said, healthcare providers may prescribe antidepressants or other PDE5 inhibitors off-label treatments for PE:

• Antidepressants. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications for depression and anxiety disorders, like sertraline, fluoxetine, and paroxetine, may help delay ejaculation. But here’s the thing: They might work for PE, but they can also impact your libido (sex drive) and cause ED symptoms as a side effect.

• PDE5 inhibitors. Cialis is a PDE5 inhibitor, but it’s not the only one sometimes used to help with the symptoms of PE. As mentioned above, other PDE5 inhibitors, like sildenafil, vardenafil, and avanafil, might help a quick-to-orgasm problem.

A review of multiple studies shows that PDE-5 inhibitors are more effective than a placebo for treating premature ejaculation. And when combining PDE5 inhibitors with an SSRI, men lasted longer than when using SSRIs alone.

Techniques for Lasting Longer

There are also a few non-medication tricks to help control ejaculation:

• Stop-start technique. This involves bringing yourself close to the big O and stopping right before orgasm until the urge goes away. The idea is to gain greater awareness of that phase right before ejaculation so you can stop PE.

• Squeeze technique. This involves squeezing the head of your penis to limit arousal and prevent orgasm. Research suggests both the stop-start and squeeze techniques can be effective short-term solutions, but it’s unclear how well they work in the long run. Our squeeze technique guide has more details.

• Pelvic floor exercises. Don’t sleep on strengthening your pelvic floor — the layer of smooth muscles supporting your urethral sphincter. Learning to control those muscles with kegels can help you get a handle on too-soon orgasms.

• Distraction. Thinking about something other than sex might curb your arousal and keep you from finishing too quickly.

• Condoms. Since condoms can reduce sensation and put pressure around the penis, they may keep you from going over the edge, so to speak. Plus — big bonus — they prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Hims Climax Control condoms contain benzocaine on the inside to desensitize your penis further.

• Mental health counseling. PE is a physical issue, but it can stem from emotional roadblocks, like performance anxiety. Talking to a qualified sex therapist can help you learn coping tools for sexual dysfunction.

Also, heads up: You might be able to find supplements that promise to make you better in bed. However, supplements don’t go through the same regulatory processes as prescription meds with FDA approval.

There’s not much oversight at all, making the supplement aisle kind of like the Wild West. If you’re curious about these “treatments,“ talk with a healthcare provider before trying them.

Occasionally reaching the finish line early isn’t a big deal. But having an early orgasm during sex over and over again can mess with your confidence, sexual function, self-esteem, and relationships.

Though it can feel shameful to talk about, you’re not alone. PE is among the most common sexual health issues facing men.

Does tadalafil help with premature ejaculation? Here’s what we know:

• PE can be frustrating to deal with or cause embarrassment about sexual performance. But thankfully, it’s treatable with prescription medication, therapy, topical treatment options, and behavioral techniques.

• Cialis may help prolong the time it takes to reach ejaculation. Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation can show up together. ED drugs like Cialis may help with both issues by improving erectile function. 

• The best first step is talking with a healthcare professional. They can help you determine the root cause of your symptoms and find a treatment that’s right for you.

To get started with sexual health treatment, get a recommendation from a healthcare provider today.