Confidential guidance. Professional support. Men’s sexual health & wellbeing

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Delay Sprays and Desensitising Condoms: Do They Work?

Book a private consultation Back to Treatment
Private, respectful and judgement-free information
Discreet by designA respectful experience
Education firstUnderstand your options
Individual approachEvery experience is different

Delay sprays, creams and desensitising condoms are products that reduce sensitivity to help with premature ejaculation (PE). This page explains how they work, what the evidence says and how to use them safely. It is general information and not a medical assessment. We do not endorse or link to any product.

[DRAFT: Check the South African medicines advertising rules before publishing, and confirm which products described here are medicines, which are medical devices and which are neither.]

01

How topical products work

Sprays, gels and creams

usually contain a local anaesthetic. It is applied to the penis to reduce sensation and so make ejaculation take longer.

Desensitising condoms

contain a small amount of a numbing agent on the inside, or are made to dull sensation in other ways.

02

Evidence and limits

The European Association of Urology (EAU) and International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) guidelines include topical anaesthetics among the treatment options for PE. The guidelines describe benefit for some men, but results vary, and it is not clear how long men go on using them. We have not found reliable figures for South Africa and do not quote a success rate. We also do not know how well each type of product works, because they differ. Desensitising condoms have had less research than sprays and creams. See the overview of treatment options.

03

Side effects and partner considerations

  • Too much numbing can cause loss of sensation or difficulty keeping an erection, which can be worrying.
  • Skin irritation, burning or an allergic reaction can happen.
  • A product may transfer to a partner and reduce their sensation, or irritate them. Wiping off any excess or using a condom is often advised, so follow the instructions that come with the product.
  • Condoms made of latex may be affected by some oil-based products. Check the label.
  • Talk to your partner. Some people find these products unpleasant, and an open conversation avoids surprises.

04

How to use them safely

  • Read the leaflet and follow the directions exactly. Do not use more than the label says.
  • Try a product at a time when there is no pressure, for example on your own, to see how your skin reacts.
  • Wait the time stated on the label before sex, and wipe off any excess if the label says so.
  • Stop using a product if you have irritation, swelling, pain or a rash.
  • Ask a pharmacist or doctor about any product you are not sure about, and about how it fits with condom use.

05

Products to avoid

  • Products with no clear ingredient list or no directions.
  • Products that promise instant, guaranteed or permanent results.
  • Products sold through informal sellers or social media, with no pharmacy or manufacturer information.
  • Products that are not intended for use on the genitals, such as numbing creams for other purposes, unless a doctor has said they are suitable.

06

When to ask a doctor

Speak to a doctor if a product causes problems, if it does not help, if PE began suddenly, if you have pain or erection problems or if you are unsure which products are appropriate for you. A doctor can discuss other options as well. See how medicines are used and when to see a doctor. You may also like to read the behavioural techniques page.

Sources and further reading

  1. Althof SE, McMahon CG, Waldinger MD, et al. An update of the International Society of Sexual Medicine's guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of premature ejaculation. Sex Med 2014;2(2):60-90
  2. European Association of Urology guidelines on sexual and reproductive health, 2021 update: male sexual dysfunction. Eur Urol 2021;80(3):333-357

Your next step

Want to talk it through?

A private conversation can help you work out the next step that suits you. In person in Sandton, or online.

Book a consultation Private enquiry · No judgement
Book