Numbing Wipes for Premature Ejaculation: How Do They Work & Are They Effective?

About Premature Ejaculation

Premature Ejaculation (PE) occurs when a man ejaculates sooner than he or his partner would like either before or shortly after sexual penetration, with minimal sexual stimulation. In general, losing control over your ejaculation at times is a normal experience. However, you could be diagnosed with PE if this issue happens often.

PE affects as many as 1 in 3 men, and it is one of the most common forms of male sexual dysfunction. There are two forms of PE, including lifelong (occurs all or nearly all of the time beginning from the first sexual encounter) or acquired (develops after previous sexual encounters with ejaculatory issues).

PE may occur due to both psychological and physical factors. Psychological causes include depression or anxiety, traumatic sexual experiences in childhood, stress, expectations of failure, or even issues within one’s relationships. Physical causes of PE could be abnormal hormone levels or levels of neurotransmitters, inflammation and infection of the prostate or urethra, and even inherited genetic traits.

How Numbing Wipes Work

Numbing wipes, also known as premature ejaculation wipes, are disposable wipes containing low doses of a numbing agent. This numbing agent used is usually benzocaine, which is a topical anesthetic that is applied to numb a specific part of the body.

Benzocaine is also found in products that reduce the pain of toothaches, sore throats, skin irritation or itching from insect bites or cuts.

Numbing wipes work by reducing sensitivity on the most sensitive areas of the penis to delay ejaculation. They contain low doses of benzocaine to help prevent overstimulation of the penis and prolong sexual activity.

To use, simply start with one wipe and rub it on the head and frenulum of the penis. It may take about 5 to 10 minutes for the benzocaine to be fully absorbed into the skin and take effect. Try to avoid touching the wipes with your bare hands, but if you do, remember to wash your hands with soap and water unless you want numb fingers!

After application, the desensitizing effect will last for about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the product you use.

Potential Side Effects Of Numbing Wipes

In general, numbing wipes are safe to use. They generally only contain low doses of benzocaine, which has been approved for medical use since 1902, and has been generally well-tolerated.

The possible side effects of benzocaine are the same as those of most products applied on the skin - they include irritation, mild stinging, burning or itching, or skin tenderness and redness.

However, allergic reactions to benzocaine are not uncommon. According to a 2014 study, 2.4% of people experience allergic reactions to local anesthetics, with the most common allergen being benzocaine (45%), followed by lidocaine (32%).

If you’ve just started to use numbing wipes, you can use just one wipe on a part of your body to test if you’re allergic to benzocaine. If you experience any severe side effects, call your doctor immediately for advice. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction, which include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your genital area or face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Effectiveness Of Numbing Wipes

Numbing wipes are generally considered effective in delaying ejaculation and safe to use with minimal side effects. Currently, there is considerable scientific evidence to support their efficacy.

A 2017 study on the efficacy of benzocaine wipes observed that those who used the treatment had a greater improvement in distress related to intercourse, better control of ejaculation, and increased satisfaction with sexual intercourse. They concluded that the use of topical 4% benzocaine wipes improved both objective and subjective symptoms of PE.

Similarly, a 2019 study investigated the efficacy and safety of benzocaine wipes with a clinical trial. They learnt that the wipes significantly prolonged the time taken for ejaculation and were both safe and effective for the patients, with no evidence of transference of benzocaine to their partners during sexual intercourse.

A 2019 review on topical agents for PE including wipes, sprays and condoms found that they are generally an effective and well-tolerated treatment with limited side-effects. However, further research is still needed to fully establish their clinical efficacy and safety.

Alternative PE Treatments Available In Singapore

If you’re experiencing the symptoms of PE, it would be best for you to visit your doctor and receive a diagnosis. Your doctor will ask about your health history and may conduct a physical examination along with blood tests.

In general, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet through weight loss or smoking cessation have been proven to help improve PE. Common treatments for PE include medication, therapy, behavioural techniques, natural supplements, pelvic floor exercises, or delay products such as condoms and sprays.

1. Medication

PE medication is considered a safe and effective option for the treatment of PE, but you will need to see a doctor and receive a prescription in order to get your hands on the pills.

Priligy is one such medication used to treat PE by boosting serotonin levels in the body, which leads to a delayed reaction in parts of the brain that control ejaculation and prolongs the time taken to orgasm. It is the only medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for PE.

If you’d like to try Priligy or other PE medication, do consult a doctor to receive an assessment of your condition and get a prescription for the medication after your doctor’s approval.

2. Therapy

Sex therapy is a type of psychotherapy that’s specially designed to help individuals and couples with their struggles in the bedroom and improve their sex life.

A sex therapist can help you assess the root cause of your problem and then design methods to help you overcome the issue and improve your sexual performance.

For instance, going for sex therapy can help you identify psychological causes of your sexual issues, such as anxiety or depression which are both possible causes of PE. A therapist will work with you by sharing coping mechanisms such as personalised exercises or techniques to extend sexual activity and delay ejaculation.

Noah offers online sex therapy with professional and accredited therapists and flexible sessions at a time and place that’s convenient for you at an affordable, flat fee.

3. Exercises

Pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, could also be helpful in improving PE.

Pelvic floor muscles are found on your thighs, buttocks, and lower abdomen.

Weak pelvic floor muscles could also weaken your ability to delay ejaculation, which contributes to the development of PE. Strengthening these muscles can support the bladder and facilitate ejaculation by allowing you to have more control over your orgasms, improving your sexual function and performance over time.

According to a 1996 study on the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE), 61% of patients with PE reported that their control over their ejaculatory reflex improved after 15 to 20 sessions of pelvic floor rehabilitation. The rehabilitation included exercises such as basic pelvic floor isometric strengthening in supine and standing positions.

4. Delay Spray

The delay spray is one product that helps men last longer during sex by reducing sensitivity in the most sensitive areas in a man’s penile to delay ejaculation. These sprays work in a similar way to wipes, and contain a local anesthetic such as benzocaine or lidocaine that work to numb the hypersensitivity of the penis.

With sprays, you can control the amount of anesthetic you use, so you’re able to adjust the dosage to suit your needs since sensitivity levels do differ by person - what works for one man may not work for another.

A 2016 study of 91 men with self-reported subjective PE showed that the use of a lidocaine-based delay spray led to a significant increase in ejaculatory latency time, improved quality of the sexual experience, as well as more frequent and intense orgasms.

Delay sprays are a controlled medication in Singapore and are not available over-the-counter, so you will require a doctor’s prescription to get them. If you’re having trouble lasting in bed, Noah’s Prolong Spray may work for you. The lidocaine-based spray is easy to use and is proven to be effective - at Noah, you can get it delivered to your home discreetly at zero cost with a doctor’s consultation.

There are numerous possible methods available to treat PE, but it is advised that you speak to a licensed professional or doctor in order to figure out the best possible treatment or combination of treatments that work best for you.

The Takeaway

If you’re experiencing early ejaculation a little too often, numbing wipes could be a viable first option for you. They are a safe and effective tool help you last longer and prolong sexual intercourse. However, ensure you speak to a doctor about whether numbing wipes are suitable for you. If you’re allergic to benzocaine, you could also try other products such as lidocaine-based delay sprays or condoms.

If you’re experiencing the symptoms of PE frequently, you should consult a doctor to receive a diagnosis and professional advice on your next course of action. If you are diagnosed with PE, your doctor might also recommend treatments such as medication, therapy, or pelvic floor exercises.

Noah provides a platform for you to easily consult a doctor who will then recommend the best treatment for you. If you are prescribed medication such as Priligy, you’ll receive it within 4 hours at $0 delivery.

With Noah, you’ll also be able to consult an accredited sex therapist with flexible and hassle-free online sessions and/or get free, discreet delivery of the Prolong Spray, Noah’s very own delay spray.

A doctor will evaluate your issue and be able to share how you can best go about improving your condition. Since PE has many possible causes including both psychological and physical factors, treating it well is highly reliant on finding the root cause of the condition.

If you’re feeling awkward or simply don’t have time to meet with a doctor, maybe an online consultation with a doctor will work best for you. With Noah, a digital health clinic for men in Singapore, you can speak to a doctor and get the PE treatment you need from the comfort of home. From there, licensed doctors on our platform can prescribe you with the proper medications and dosage required based on their evaluation of your condition.