Premature Ejaculation Condoms: Types & How to Use Them
Having trouble lasting as long as you’d like during sexual activity? For some men, condoms can be a simple, effective solution for premature ejaculation (PE). By reducing sensitivity (AKA desensitization), they can help you stay in control and last longer in bed.
For some, regular condoms do the trick. But if you’re still feeling overly sensitive, try climax control condoms or desensitizing condoms. These are thicker or include a mild numbing agent like benzocaine to prevent overstimulation.
Want to know more about your options? We break down everything you need to know about condoms for premature ejaculation — how they work, which ones to try, and other tips to help with PE.
Do Condoms Make You Last Longer?
Most evidence that condoms help you last longer in bed is anecdotal, but for many men, wearing a condom seems to delay ejaculation.
How? A condom acts as a buffer, slightly reducing sensitivity by adding a barrier between your most sensitive areas (like the tip, or glans, and frenulum of your penis) and the friction that feels good.
Think of it like rubbing your skin directly versus through a sweater. Your bare skin is much more sensitive.
Thicker condoms may help:
Delay ejaculation during vaginal sex
Reduce symptoms of premature ejaculation
Though research is limited, the same benefits may apply to men who have sex with men. In theory, condoms could help delay ejaculation for anyone with a penis.
What the Research Says
Let’s go over some of the (limited) research on condoms for PE.
In a 2022 study, researchers tested the effects of thicker condoms on 100 men dealing with PE and 30 men without it.
For the premature ejaculation group: Only 16 out of 100 lasted more than three minutes with regular condoms. With thicker condoms that number jumped to 78 out of 100.
In the control group: 26 out of 30 lasted more than five minutes with regular condoms. And with thicker condoms, it increased to 29 out of 30.
In a small study from 2015, researchers tested the penile sensitivity level of 141 young, hetrosexual men using a tool called biothesiometry, which measures penile sensitivity to vibration stimuli.
The findings? Condoms raised the men’s “vibratory threshold,” meaning it took stronger vibrations for them to feel sensation compared to going condom-free.
The takeaway? Condoms — especially thicker ones — might help men dealing with PE.
Before we get into the best condoms for PE, we want to point out that factors like condom size, the thickness of the condoms, and the use of a numbing agent can influence sensitivity.
Plus, other PE treatments have a lot more research to support them. But even if condoms don’t help your PE, they still have notable benefits like:
They’re key to practising safe sex. Condoms protect against most sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
They protect against unwanted pregnancy. Latex condoms keep pregnancy risk low during vaginal sex.
Learn more about the condom effectiveness.
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Best Condoms for Lasting Longer
Regular condoms can help some men last longer in bed. But if they don’t work for you or you’re just curious to explore other options, you might benefit from PE condoms. They’re designed with a thicker material or a mild numbing agent to reduce sensation.
Let’s go over your options.
“Extended Pleasure” Delay Condoms
Products labelled with descriptions like “extended pleasure,” “endurance,” and “climax control” delay ejaculation thanks to an internal coating of numbing lubricants that make the sensitive parts of your penis feel slightly numb.
Don’t worry, the numbing is only enough to slow down ejaculation. It won’t numb you completely. These condoms may contain benzocaine or lidocaine — common numbing agents you may already know from dental products.
A few climax control condoms on the market include:
Trojan Extended Pleasure Condoms
Durex® Performax Intense
Durex Prolong and Lifestyles® Extra Strength
Durex Mutual Climax
Products with numbing agents are usually safe, but rare allergic reactions can happen. To be cautious, try rubbing the condom on your arm or the inside of your wrist to check for any irritation before putting it on your penis.
“Extra Safe” or “Extra Thick” Condoms
Some condom brands help delay ejaculation with extra thickness. While thick condoms might feel safer, remember that latex can still break, no matter how thick it is.
Be ready for sex whenever you’re in the mood
How to Use Condoms for Premature Ejaculation
Sex ed probably covered the basics of condom use, but if you’re looking to use condoms as a way to manage PE, here are a few tips worth noting:
Make sure the numbing agent is facing you, not your partner. If you’re using a condom with internal numbing agents, be careful not to spread any of it to your partner.
Don’t wear more than one condom. While two condoms might seem better than one in theory, condoms aren’t meant for doubling up. Wearing two might increase the risk of breakage due to extra friction.
Make sure you don’t have any latex allergies. If you do, consider non-latex alternatives — there are plenty of them out there.
Wear the right condom size. Loose condoms could create unexpected friction and are more likely to come off, while extra tight ones may create discomfort and chafing, and increase risk for breakage.
Other Ways to Treat Premature Ejaculation
Wearing the right type of condom may help, but if this isn’t an effective option for you, there are other things you can do to slow down ejaculation.
Here are some of your options.
The stop-start technique. The stop-start technique is exactly what it sounds like — when you get close to finishing, you stop and allow the sensation to pass. Once it has, you carry on. Practising this method can help you get a better idea of when you’re close to orgasm so you can reduce stimulation during future sexual encounters.
The squeeze technique. The technique involves gently squeezing the tip of your penis when you’re close to orgasm until the sensation passes. Squeeze your penis by putting your index finger on the back side of your penis and placing your thumb on the side closest to you. Then, wait for about 30 seconds before continuing with sex.
Pre-sex masturbation. Masturbating a few hours before sex may lower the sensitivity of your penis and delay ejaculation.
Pelvic floor exercises. Regular pelvic floor exercises may help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and help prevent early ejaculation.
Therapy. Sometimes, premature ejaculation is caused by psychological factors, like feelings of guilt or anxiety about having sex. Therapy may also help treat psychological erectile dysfunction (ED).
Topical premature ejaculation sprays and lubricants. These products help temporarily desensitise the nerve endings in your penis, typically by means of an anaesthetic, like benzocaine or lidocaine, that you apply to your penis before sex.
Prescription medications. Medications for PE can help when over-the-counter (OTC) options don’t work. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t actually approved any meds for PE yet, your healthcare provider may consider prescribing antidepressants like sertraline (the active ingredient in Zoloft®) or off-label paroxetine (the active ingredient in Paxil®).
If using desensitising condoms or other remedies doesn’t ease your symptoms, it might be time to consult a urology specialist.
Trusted treatment for PE
Personalised Recommendations
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Traditional Pill
Priligy® (Dapoxetine) for PE
From £8/use
Priligy®️, the branded version of dapoxetine, is the only licensed and clinically approved medication to treat premature ejaculation. It has been shown to increase the time to climax by up to 3 times.
Traditional Pill
Sildenafil for PE
From £2.36/use
Sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra®) can be taken as needed to delay ejaculation and improve sexual quality of life.2 Plus, it can help you get another erection more easily after orgasm. Round two?
Traditional Pill
Tadalafil Daily for PE
From £21/month
Tadalafil Daily (the active ingredient as Cialis®) can help improve climax control and overall bedroom performance2. A once-per-day pill that builds up in your system over several days and allows you to be ready for intimacy on your schedule. Being ready to go at any time? Hot.
Important safety information for Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Tadalafil Daily or Viagra Connect.
The Final Word on Premature Ejaculation Condoms
Condoms provide reliable protection against STIs and pregnancy. Plus, they may even help you last longer in bed.
Let’s recap the basics of condoms for premature ejaculation:
When shopping for condoms that make you last longer, look for the right products. Check for labels like “extended pleasure,” “extra safe,” “extra thick,” or “endurance.”
Pair condoms with another PE product. Like Delay Spray for Men or Clockstopper Benzocaine Wipes, which reduce sensitivity.
Beyond contraceptives, you have several options for treating PE. Talk to your provider about topical products, oral medications, and techniques to delay ejaculation.
A healthcare professional can help you find the right solution. We offer prescription treatments online after a consultation with a licensed healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate for you.
Our range of premature ejaculation treatments includes options to suit every need, including prescription medications to delay ejaculation and improve your stamina.
Think your PE could stem from anxiety around sex or other psychological factors? Consider connecting with a local therapist or exploring an online mental health services for support.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.