Premature ejaculation (PE)1 is the most common type of sexual dysfunction in men. It affects as many as 30% to 40% of all men at some point in their life. It can have a wide range of causes, from hypersensitivity to medical conditions to psychological factors.The critical thing to remember when treating PE is that you are not alone. The condition is very common, even if it is not openly discussed, and is easily treatable.
Key Takeaways
Premature ejaculation (PE) treatments include prescription pills, numbing creams and desensitizing wipes. Each works differently to help delay climax. Numbing creams and wipes contain local anesthetics such as lidocaine, which reduce sensation on the skin.
Prescription pills – like SRIs (sertraline, paroxetine) and PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil) – are often also used to treat PE by adjusting serotonin levels in the brain, which can help prolong intimacy.
The best PE treatment depends on your symptoms, preferences and any other health concerns. A licensed provider can help you choose the right option for safe and effective results.
What are common premature ejaculation medications?
Premature ejaculation treatments are available in two main types: topical and oral medications. Topical treatments are applied directly to the genitals to reduce sensation and help delay ejaculation. Common options include desensitizing creams or sprays and benzocaine wipes.
Oral medications can help men maintain an erection or delay climax. Two main categories used for premature ejaculation are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are a type of antidepressant, and PDE5 inhibitors, which are typically prescribed for erectile dysfunction.
Topical Treatments for Premature Ejaculation
Topical treatments are applied directly to the genitals anywhere from five to 20 minutes before intercourse to reduce sensation and have been shown to delay orgasm in men by three to six minutes.2 However, for some users, topical treatments can cause loss of sexual desire or erectile disruption due to numbness.3
One risk of using topical treatments for PE is that the numbing ingredients can transfer to your partner, reducing sensation for them as well. Using a condom can mitigate the transfer of topical treatment to your partner during sexual contact.
Lidocaine (4%) Cream for PE
Lidocaine cream is a topical PE medication that numbs the application area with local anesthetics. When applied to male genitals, desensitization helps prolong an erection and prevent premature ejaculation.
Lidocaine is available via a prescription or over the counter. RedBox Rx offers prescription-strength 4% lidocaine cream in a 15 gm tube for $30.
Benzocaine Wipes for PE
Benzocaine is a mild anesthetic that is widely available in over-the-counter pain relief products. When used topically on the skin, it can create numbness and desensitizes the area.
Benzocaine wipes4 have been developed specifically for PE as a convenient method to apply anesthetic to the genitals. Its ability to help men with PE last longer during intercourse has shown promise in small studies. Benzocaine wipes for PE are available over the counter.
The price for benzocaine wipes varies widely – averaging approximately $2 to $6 per wipe.5
SSRIs for Premature Ejaculation
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are medications generally prescribed for mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. One of the side effects of SSRIs is delayed ejaculation and studies6 show this can help with PE symptoms. Because of this, medical providers often prescribe SSRIs for PE.
Sertraline (Zoloft®) for PE
Sertraline (generic Zoloft) is part of the classification of drugs called SSRIs. It is used for the treatment of a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD and PMS.7
Although it’s not known exactly how it works, studies8 have shown that sertraline does work for PE. The retail price for sertraline (without insurance) is around $37 for a one-month supply.9 At Redbox Rx it starts at $25 per month.
Paroxetine (Paxil®) for PE
Paroxetine (generic Paxil) is another SSRI that has shown promising study results for treating PE.10 Although it is difficult to prove, some researchers believe that SSRIs ability to reduce depression and anxiety could be the foundation for treating PE. PE is a condition that can be wholly psychological rather than fully biological.
Paroxetine for PE is available by prescription only and can cost upward of $28 per month without insurance coverage. A RedBox Rx paroxetine prescription starts at $25 per month.
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All RedBox Rx PE prescription medication options are FDA-approved, competitively priced, and customized to your health needs by a licensed U.S. medical professional.
Get startedPDE5 Inhibitors for Premature Ejaculation
PDE5 inhibitors are a classification of medications traditionally prescribed for erectile dysfunction. Additionally, research has shown that PDE5 inhibitors can have positive results when prescribed for premature ejaculation. The best result for treating premature ejaculation is a combination of a PDE5 inhibitor and an SSRI, according to research.11
Sildenafil (Viagra®) for PE
Sildenafil (generic Viagra) is a commonly prescribed medication to treat erectile dysfunction. Studies12 have shown that sildenafil also benefits men that experience PE. In addition to helping delay ejaculation during vaginal intercourse, study participants reported an increase in sexual confidence, satisfaction and a decrease in recovery time to achieve a second erection after ejaculation.13
A prescription is required to purchase sildenafil for PE. Retail price for sildenafil can be upward of $45 per dose.14 With RedBox Rx, sildenafil starts as low as $1 per dose.
Tadalafil (Cialis®) for PE
Tadalafil (generic Cialis) is also commonly prescribed for erectile dysfunction. Tadalafil can help treat PE, especially if symptoms for PE and ED are both present. Studies show that taking tadalafil for PE can help men last longer before finishing.15
A prescription is required to purchase tadalafil for PE – with the cost per tablet (without insurance) averaging around $12 per tablet.16 Tadalafil is available for as low as $1 per dose with RedBox Rx.
Vardenafil (Levitra®) for PE
Vardenafil (generic Levitra) is commonly prescribed for ED and has shown promise as a PE treatment as well. In studies, men improved their lasting time, recovery period, control and satisfaction during sexual activity.17
A prescription is required for vardenafil, and without insurance it can cost more than $50 per tablet.18 Vardenafil starts at $3 per tablet with RedBox Rx.
PE Medication Comparison Chart
How RedBox Rx can help
RedBox Rx makes receiving treatment for premature ejaculation easy and affordable.
Benefits of RedBox Rx include:
Transparent, affordable, flat rates for PE medications with SSRIs for $25 per month (with purchase of three-month supply).
$25 online consultations with a U.S. licensed medical professional.
No insurance required. HSA and FSA eligible.
No office wait times or scheduling issues typical with physical medical practices.
Free shipping directly to you.
Start your PE treatment today with our quick and easy online assessment.
