In this article, we will be covering why premature ejaculation might occur, what lidocaine is and how it can treat premature ejaculation, how to use a lidocaine spray, the potential side effects that might occurs if you use too much lidocaine, and how Noah can get you the lidocaine spray you need in Hong Kong.
Premature ejaculation (PE) can refer to any instance when a man faces endurance issues during sex, where the man reaches orgasm and ejaculates faster than desired. PE affects 1 in 3 men across their lifetime, and is one of the most common sexual disorders for men in Hong Kong.
There are two types of premature ejaculation — lifelong and acquired.
Lifelong PE refers to the condition where you have not been able to control your ejaculation since your first sexual encounter. Without treatment, some men may struggle with PE throughout their entire life.
Acquired PE is like the name suggests, acquired at a later time after their first sexual encounter, meaning that the man has experienced a time where he was able to control orgasm, before having an issue with PE.
Causes of PE vary between people, and can be due to a variety of factors from biological to psychological reasons. The cause can also vary between lifelong PE and acquired PE.
Lifelong PE can be caused as a result of chemical imbalances in areas of the brain responsible for controlling ejaculation (Andrology Australia, n.d.). With less stimulation needed to reach orgasm, ejaculation happens faster than you would like.
As for acquired PE, performance anxiety, or ‘stage fright’, is often the cause. This could stem from any fears you might have surrounding sex, whether it’s your performance, being caught in the act, or even sometimes as a result of religious or cultural pressures (Andrology Australia, n.d.). Erectile dysfunction may also be a cause of acquired PE.
Lidocaine is a local anesthetic used to numb specific areas of the body. You might have come across it before during visits to the dentist as it is very common for lidocaine (or other similar anaesthetics) to be applied to the gums as pain relief.
Lidocaine, great for root canals! But how exactly does it help me with my premature ejaculation?
Not just an effective pain reliever, lidocaine's numbing effect can help you last longer in bed by reducing the sensitivity of your penis when applied topically (either as a cream or a spray). By slightly limiting the sensations you experience during foreplay and penetrative sex, this makes it less likely for you to ejaculate prematurely.
It is important to know that while lidocaine does decrease your sensitivity slightly during sex, when used correctly, it will not completely numb your penis or hinder your sexual experience.
In a study done by Queen's university, its test group comprised men with PE and had an average IELT (Intravagina Ejaculation Latency time) of 84 seconds. When the lidocaine spray was introduced and applied by the test subjects, researchers saw a significant increase to the IELT that averaged 11 minutes. No negative effects on either their sexual experience or orgasm quality was reported by the men who used the lidocaine spray.
Besides prolonging the time it takes to ejaculate, the lidocaine spray had also improved the sexual satisfaction experienced by the men and their partners.
There are several lidocaine sprays on the market right now for premature ejaculation, but most differ in their concentration of lidocaine.
In a recent 2020 study published by medical journal Andrologia, men with lifelong PE were randomly given either a topical 10% lidocaine spray or 60mg oral dapoxetine for 12 weeks, before switching over the treatment for another 12 weeks. After the 24-week trial, data collected from this test group showed that both oral dapoxetine and topical lidocaine showed improvements to their IELT (Intravaginal Ejaculatory Latency Time) and AIPE (Arabic Index For PE) scores when compared to the initial evaluation.
However, researchers found that the results shown by the topical 10% lidocaine spray significantly edged out oral dapoxetine.
To ensure you get the best results for your premature ejaculation treatment, choose a topical spray that contains 10% lidocaine.
So how exactly do you use lidocaine spray down there? Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure you get the best results.
Step 1: Lidocaine should be applied 10 to 15 minutes before intercourse and can be applied to either a flaccid or erect penis. Position the spray bottle about 10cm away, with the spray nozzle pointed to the area of application.
Step 2: Press the button several times to spray. Ensure that you follow the instructions given by the manufacturer and use the recommended dosage. Be sure to spray it towards the head and the shaft of your penis, as these are the areas that are the most sensitive.
Step 3: Spread the medication evenly and in a circular motion so it is better absorbed by the skin.
Step 4: Wipe off any excess after about 10 to 15 minutes. You will need to ensure that you wipe all of the lidocaine off so that you reduce the transference to your partner and potentially affect their level of sensitivity during sex.
The numbing effects of the lidocaine spray can last up to 3 hours, depending on the individual's sensitivity level. For most men, they typically experience the numbing effects for about an hour after application.
When used at its recommended dosage, it is unlikely that you will experience any side effects from the lidocaine spray. However, if you do spray an excessive amount, it is possible that you might experience the following side effects:
- Skin irritation and/or a burning sensation
- A temporary loss in sensitivity. This could make it difficult for you to maintain an erection during foreplay or intercourse.
- Increased numbness in the area of application.
Most of these side effects can be avoided by following the instructions and using the recommended dosage of your lidocaine spray.
If you experience an allergic reaction, prolonged skin irritation or swelling in the area of application (genitals and/or anus), you should stop using the product and contact your doctor immediately.
Here are the other common PE treatments available in Hong Kong:
These medications come from a class of medicines known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), which are used in the treatment of anxiety and depression.
PE medication like Priligy belong to a classification of drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), which are used in the treatment of anxiety and depression. When Priligy is taken to treat premature ejaculation, the serotonin levels are boosted in the body. This leads to a delayed reaction in parts of the brain that controls ejaculation and prolongs the time it takes to orgasm.
This prescription-only pill is usually taken 1-3 hours before sexual activity.
Drug medication for the treatment of PE is not available over the counter, you’ll need a doctor’s prescription to get these medicines.
Articles featured on Noah are for informational purposes only and should not be constituted as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. If you're looking for a healthcare provider, click here.
Alghobary, M, Gaballah, M, El-Kamel, MF, et al. Oral dapoxetine versus topical lidocaine as on-demand treatment for lifelong premature ejaculation: A randomised controlled trial. Andrologia. 2020; 52:e13558. (Link)
Henry, R, and A Morales. “Topical lidocaine-prilocaine spray for the treatment of premature ejaculation: a proof of concept study.” International journal of impotence research vol. 15,4 (2003): 277-81. (Link)