The Best Penis Numbing Creams for Premature Ejaculation

Key Takeaways:

• Topical numbing products containing ingredients such as lidocaine or benzocaine are often effective for delaying ejaculation, which is helpful for people with premature ejaculation (PE). 

• Penis numbing creams desensitize your penis by reducing your penile nerve sensitivity. 

• You can combine penis numbing creams or sprays with techniques such as the start-and-stop or squeeze technique to delay ejaculation. 
  

Ejaculation problems are among the most common sexual issues men experience. Specifically, premature ejaculation (PE) is widely considered to be the most common sexual health disorder in males. So, two points of good news: You’re not alone with this form of sexual dysfunction, and treatments exist to help manage the symptoms. 

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and topical penis numbing creams and sprays are all available to alleviate PE. But how do you know which option is best for you? 

Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. 

Below, learn about how penis numbing creams (among other numbing products, like sprays, wipes, and latex condoms) work — plus how they compare to each other.

Numbing creams and numbing sprays to reduce penis sensitivity contain topical anesthetics to numb the tip of your penis before sex. 

These products typically contain local anesthetics like lidocaine and benzocaine that lower penile nerve activity, making targeted areas less sensitive to the touch. 

Lidocaine and benzocaine are relatively common medical ingredients with applications in dentistry, in minor surgical procedures, and for pain relief in certain situations. You may also find low doses of benzocaine in cough drops, as the ingredient can help numb throat discomfort. 

As is the case with cough drops, over-the-counter (OTC) treatment options for PE use a smaller dose of the desensitizing agents than what dentists and surgeons would use during procedures.

Sensitivity is one of the most important aspects of sexual stimulation. By applying benzocaine or lidocaine to the penis’s skin, you’re making it less sensitive. This can help people with PE avoid feeling overstimulated during sex, which can lead to lasting longer in bed.

Research back this up this notion, showing that lidocaine-prilocaine creams and sprays work well for stopping premature ejaculation. In a randomized single-blind placebo study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research, researchers found that using lidocaine spray 10 to 20 minutes before sexual activity significantly improved symptoms of PE compared to the group that received a placebo alcohol spray throughout the 8 weeks of the study. 

Penis numbing creams and sprays aim to reduce sensitivity levels while keeping sex pleasurable for everyone involved. When using one of these products, you should expect to feel slightly less than you usually would during sex or foreplay, but you shouldn’t be completely numb.

Compared to lidocaine cream, ejaculation-delay sprays with lidocaine tend to be faster-acting and easier to apply. This can make a spray a great option if you need a topical treatment to use quickly before sex.

Most lidocaine sprays come in a metered-dose bottle, making it easier to apply the correct dose. You can also adjust your lidocaine spray dose over time to get the best combination of improved sexual performance and minimal sensitivity loss. 

Unlike many cream-based medications, most lidocaine sprays only contain the local anesthetic lidocaine, without any other topical anesthetics.

Sprays and creams aren’t the only available treatments for PE. You can also use physical techniques before or during sex to delay ejaculation, shift your daily habits and lifestyle as needed, and work with a healthcare provider to get prescription medications. 

Physical Techniques for Delaying Ejaculation

There are several moves you can try to slow down the process of orgasm and ejaculation, including the “stop-start” method, which involves stopping movement when you feel orgasm approaching and then starting again once you feel confident you aren’t about to ejaculate. There’s also the “squeeze” technique, which involves gently pressing on the area between the glans and shaft of your penis when you feel close to coming. 

Other common tactics that can help you delay ejaculation and increase sexual stamina include masturbating before sex, using diversionary thoughts to avoid reaching orgasm, and switching to thicker condoms to reduce sensitivity.

Healthy Habits and Lifestyle Changes

Sometimes, making minor changes to your daily lifestyle can help reduce the severity of PE symptoms and improve your sexual function. 

For example, research has found that regular physical activity is associated with a lower risk of developing PE. Certain practices, such as pelvic floor exercises, may also help to reduce the severity of PE and improve performance during sexual activity. 

Our guide to stopping PE goes into more detail about lifestyle changes you can make to last longer in bed and improve your general sexual function. 

Prescription Medications for PE

While there’s currently no medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for treating premature ejaculation, providers may prescribe certain medications off-label to slow down ejaculation latency and help with sexual performance.

These include the prescription antidepressants sertraline (the active ingredient in Zoloft^®) and paroxetine (Paxil^®). 

Hims offers both sertraline and paroxetine as part of our selection of premature ejaculation treatments, following a consultation with a licensed healthcare professional who will determine if a prescription is appropriate.

Numbing products can cause side effects or adverse reactions when you overuse them or apply them to the skin improperly. 

Common side effects of penis sensitivity creams and sprays include excessive numbness and skin irritation in the area of application. Some lidocaine topical products can also cause swelling.

Some products can also cause allergic reactions and drug interactions, including with common medications for high blood pressure, infections, epilepsy, and cancer, among other conditions.

You may have a higher risk of experiencing side effects if you have sensitive skin or if you have previously had reactions to topical anesthetics. Medical professionals generally recommend avoiding topical anesthetics if you’ve previously experienced a reaction. 

To reduce your risk of experiencing undesired issues while using a desensitizing penis cream or spray, it’s essential to inform your healthcare provider about any medications you currently use or have recently used, as well as any relevant health conditions.

It’s also important to seek medical attention if you feel any pain, discomfort, or have other issues while using penis numbing cream or spray.

Learn more about how to use lidocaine penis spray safely.

Numbing agents like desensitizing sprays and creams can significantly improve climax control and your overall sex life— a key reason why lidocaine is an active ingredient in our Hims Delay Spray for Men and benzocaine is an active ingredient in our Clockstopper Climax Delay Wipes. 

These OTC products (in addition to OTC penis numbing creams) work relatively quickly to reduce penile nerve sensitivity to help you last longer, have better sexual encounters, and improve your sexual health. 

How long does penis numbing cream last?

The numbing effects of many topical creams can last for up to approximately 3 hours. You may notice that the anesthetic gradually wears off a few hours after you apply the cream to your penis. If you experience numbness longer than the product intends, seek support from a healthcare provider.

How long does lidocaine take to work?

Lidocaine cream usually starts to work within a few minutes, although it may take 20 minutes or longer to become fully effective. In the study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research, participants applied a topical lidocaine spray 10–20 minutes before sexual activity and saw positive results. Keep in mind that applying numbing agents too early may lead to trouble achieving an erection. 

What are the advantages of using penis numbing cream?

The most significant advantage of numbing cream is that, for most men, it works. Applied around 10 to 30 minutes before sex, lidocaine-prilocaine cream can increase pre-ejaculation time, letting you and your partner enjoy sex for longer. Lidocaine-prilocaine is also generally affordable and readily available from most pharmacies, making it an easy medication to access. 

What are the disadvantages of penis numbing cream?

The biggest disadvantage of numbing cream is that, since it’s a cream, it can get messy. After you apply it, you’ll need to thoroughly wash your hands to make sure you don’t accidentally apply the anesthetic to other parts of your body or your partner’s. 

Does penis numbing spray work like penis numbing cream?

Lidocaine spray makes your penis less sensitive to touch. Like lidocaine-prilocaine cream, you can apply it to the glans, or tip, of your penis, as well as to the underside of the shaft. Studies on lidocaine spray suggest that you might feel a mild numbness in your penis.

How long does penis numbing spray last?

Lidocaine spray typically lasts for 1 to 3 hours. Like with lidocaine cream and other topical anesthetics, you may feel a gradual increase in your penile sensitivity as the effects of the product wear off.