As great as penile stimulation can be, sometimes an individual's penis may feel too sensitive. Too much sensitivity can result in early ejaculation and potentially lead to the development of premature ejaculation (PE). PE is a sexual dysfunction in which individuals can’t last long enough without ejaculating to enjoy sex. Factors which may cause PE range from traumatic sexual experiences to health conditions such as diabetes.
Condoms have a reputation for reducing the amount of ‘feel’ experienced during sex. This is because they place a layer of latex between both sexual partners' genitals during intercourse.
However, a reduction in feel and sensitivity may be exactly what individuals with PE need to increase the time it takes them to ejaculate.
In fact, there are condoms specifically designed for managing premature ejaculation, known as PE condoms. PE condoms can help individuals avoid the hyper-sensitivity associated with the condition and prevent early ejaculation. In this article we’ll be taking an in-depth look at how premature ejaculation condoms can be used to reduce the impact of PE.
What are PE condoms?
Premature ejaculation condoms are designed to increase the length of time it takes for the wearer to ejaculate. They achieve this with two main characteristics, thickened material and numbing agents. The thickened material reduces how much the wearer can feel during sex and the numbing agents desensitize the penis.
By using a thicker layer of latex, the amount of sensitivity experienced during sex is reduced. The numbing agent (commonly lidocaine or benzocaine) is an anesthetic which numbs the penis while the condom is worn. Lidocaine and benzocaine are common ingredients in other PE products such as penis numbing sprays.
Other terms for PE condoms
Premature ejaculation condoms are often referred to by different names. We’ve listed a few of them below:
- Delay condoms
- Desensitizing condoms
- Numbing condoms
- Endurance condoms
- Pleasure extending condoms
How do numbing condoms differ from regular condoms
Although PE condoms may look like standard condoms, there are some differences worth noting. We’ve highlighted some of these below.
Thicker than standard condoms
Many standard condoms market themselves for using thin layers of latex to maximize feel. However, PE condoms look for the opposite quality; increasing thickness of the latex to reduce how much the wearer feels. A study which examined 100 men with PE found that the time it took for them to ejaculate while wearing thickened condoms significantly increased.
Prevents overstimulation
Overstimulation may cause early ejaculation and delay condoms are designed to prevent this from happening. By making use of thicker latex and numbing agents they are able to reduce the likelihood that the wearer experiences overstimulation. By preventing the wearer from becoming overstimulated, PE condoms can increase the amount of time it takes for the wearer to ejaculate.
Most common active ingredient in PE condoms
Premature ejaculation condoms commonly contain numbing agents designed to desensitize the wearer's penis.
The most common numbing agents used are lidocaine or benzocaine which are topical anesthetics sometimes used for pain relief in dentistry. These numbing ingredients are also commonly used in penis numbing sprays, wipes and creams.
How to select a Numbing Condom
Although it may seem simple, finding a suitable condom for premature ejaculation requires careful consideration. The table below highlights a few things to think about.
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CONSIDERATION |
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Material |
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Safety |
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Size |
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Texture |
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Thickness |
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Pros and Cons of Numbing Condoms
You won’t know how effective numbing condoms are until you try them out. However, understanding their benefits and downsides may help you make a more informed decision on whether they’re suitable for you. We’ve listed the pros and cons of using numbing condoms below:
Pros of Using a Numbing Condom
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BENEFITS |
DESCRIPTION |
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Numbing condoms are safe to use especially when worn properly. |
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A numbing condom can help reduce sensitivity even more than a regular condom |
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Other than climax control during sex, condoms are a reliable method of preventing pregnancy and protecting both partners from STIs |
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A subtle way to combat the effects of premature ejaculation when compared to other products such as sprays, wipes and creams |
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Cons of Using a Numbing Condom
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DRAWBACKS |
DESCRIPTION |
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Since PE Condoms contain desensitizing lube, you must be careful when handling it. You might get most of it on your fingers if you're not careful. |
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After putting on the condom, you might need to wait for several minutes for the numbing agent to take effect. |
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There’s a small possibility that the numbing agent may be transferred to the man’s partner during sex. |
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The reduction in sensitivity may lead to a compromise in sensations experienced during sex for both wearer and partner. |
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PE condoms are an effective way to manage early ejaculation but may not help wearers recover from dysfunction. |
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Alternatives to numbing condoms for premature ejaculation
Numbing condoms are a great option for dealing with premature ejaculation but alternative techniques do exist. Here’s a list of some other tips you can try for dealing with premature ejaculation.
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Masturbate a few hours before sex
The penis may feel more sensitive for men who go long periods without ejaculating. Bringing yourself to climax a few hours before sex could help reduce this sensitivity. With this technique timing is crucial. If you don’t leave enough time between masturbating and sexual activity you may struggle to climax or be unable to achieve an erection. -
Desensitizing spray
Also known as penile numbing spray, desensitizing spray makes use of anesthetics (such as lidocaine or benzocaine) to numb the penis prior to sexual activity. Applied topically, you spray the product directly on the penis around 15 minutes before intimacy. Be sure to follow the manufacturers guidelines and always check for allergens before using the cream. -
Numbing creams
Similarly to desensitizing spray, penile numbing creams are designed to numb the penis shortly before sex. Penile numbing creams also make use of numbing agents such as lidocaine to reduce the penises sensitivity during sexual activity. The creams can be applied more precisely when compared to spray but are typically messier to use. -
Prescription medication
Medication can also be an effective way to treat the symptoms of premature ejaculation. A medication which may be helpful for treating PE is Viagra. Research has concluded that it may help to increase an individual's perception of ejaculatory control, their sexual satisfaction and reduce post-ejaculation recovery times. There is also research which supports the effectiveness of SSRIs (medication for treating mental health conditions) in helping with PE symptoms. -
Edging/Start-stop technique
Edging is a technique which involves coming close to climax before withdrawing stimulation to prolong pleasure. Males experience a refractory period after ejaculation and are unable to become aroused until they recover. Edging can help individual's avoid experiencing the refractory period at their first impulse to ejaculate. This can lead to an intense delayed orgasm due to the build-up of pelvic pressure. -
Kegel Exercises
Kegel exercises are used to help individuals strengthen their pelvic floor muscles. The exercises are done by squeezing and releasing these muscles and can be done by mimicking the feeling of holding in urine. With enough time practicing, an individual may be able to withdraw from ejaculation the way they would when trying to prevent urination.
Our PE Kit
Unlock longer-lasting pleasure with expertly chosen solutions for extended satisfaction:
| PRODUCT AND HOW IT HELPS YOU LAST LONGER | RECOMMENDED MODEL |
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Climax Control | Delay Spray - Temporarily desensitizes the penis, delaying ejaculation.- Allows for longer-lasting sexual encounters. - Helps men gain more control over their climax timing |
 Promescent Lidocaine Prolonging Delay Spray for Men
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Premature Ejaculation Condom - Often designed with a numbing agent to delay ejaculation.- Provides a barrier method of contraception while offering ejaculation control. - Allows for spontaneous use and discreet assistance |
 Trojan Pleasure Extended Premature Ejaculation Condoms |
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Mouth Male Masturbator Sleeve - Offers a realistic oral sex experience for solo play.- Helps men practice stamina control in a pleasurable way. - Allows for exploration and mastery of arousal levels during stimulation |
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Stamina Training Unit | Stroker - Mimics the sensations of intercourse to help build sexual endurance.- Provides a controlled environment for practicing arousal management. - Enhances sexual performance through repetitive training session |
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FAQ’s
Do numbing condoms work?
Yes, numbing condoms do work. They make use of thickened latex which helps to reduce how much the wearer feels during intercourse. They also use numbing agents such as lidocaine and benzocaine which desensitize the penis while the condom is being worn.
Do numbing condoms affect your partner during sex?
Although numbing condoms are designed to numb the wearer, there is a chance that the numbing agent could be transferred to a partner during sex. Be sure to check that your partner doesn’t have any allergies to the ingredients in the condoms.
How long do numbing condoms last?
Numbing condoms can reduce sensitivity for the duration of sexual activity. This is down to a combination of numbing agents such as lidocaine or benzocaine and thickened material in comparison to standard condoms.
Are there any side effects of using Numbing condoms?
Providing you and your sexual partner don’t have allergies to the ingredients in the numbing condoms side effects may be rare but still possible. An instance of swelling and penile gangrene (trigger warning: explicit images in the following link) was recorded after a 30-year-old man used pleasure extending benzocaine condoms. As a precaution, it’s worth consulting a doctor to review your suitability for delay condoms prior to using them.
Summary
Numbing condoms can be a highly effective way to reduce the difficulties of premature ejaculation. Thanks to their thickened structure and use of numbing agents, they can significantly reduce the amount of feel experienced by the wearer during sex.
Both partners should be sure that the condoms don’t contain any allergens before using them.
As effective as they are, they do come with some downsides. For example, having to wait for the numbing agent to kick in and possible transfer of the numbing lubricant to a partner. Both partners should be sure that the condoms don’t contain any allergens before using them. Although this article is intended to be informative it cannot be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a doctor if you have health concerns.