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In the photo above, you can see the delay sprays I tested before writing this article. From left to right: Fortacin, Edge, Dynamo Delay, Promescent, Stud 100, K-Y Duration.
The one I use myself to this day as I’ve had the best results from it is Promescent (see on promescent.com). It consistently helps me last longer without numbing me too much to enjoy sex.
Using a delay spray is a relatively hassle-free way for men to last longer during sex. You can get most of them over the counter or online without a prescription. All you do is spray it to the penis head and/or shaft, and then wait a few minutes for it to create a numbing effect so sex is less physically stimulating.
It’s important to understand that they aren’t an outright cure for premature ejaculation, so you’ll need to apply it again the next time you have sex (unless you’re going for round two within an hour or two of applying it).
Not all men have premature ejaculation because of physical sensitivity either, but for those that do, a delay spray can be an effective way to tackle the problem from one day to the next.
I’ve tried many different desensitizing sprays, gels, and creams over the years, and have had good results with many of them. In this article, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the six best ones I’ve used.
All the photos are my own and the exact delay sprays I used, but the manufacturers may make changes to them over time.
1. Promescent
- Ingredients: lidocaine 10%
- Application: metered pump spray
- Price: $73.95 for the ‘Home and Away’ two bottle bundle.
Promescent is the most effective of the many delay sprays I’ve tested over the years. It ticks the right boxes in terms of ease of use, reliability, and lack of side effects.
During the time in my life when I was most struggling with premature ejaculation, it helped me to consistently last between 10 and 20 minutes. This was a significant improvement from the previous 1 to 5 minutes, and it made a big difference to my confidence in bed.
It’s designed to have quick absorption into the skin, effectively numbing sensitivity while minimizing any impact on erection strength. There’s no sticky residue, as it absorbs very well into the skin once you’ve rubbed it in.
The rapid absorption also means you can conveniently apply it just 5 to 10 minutes before getting down to some foreplay or having sex. Importantly, it can be used during oral sex and can be used with or without a condom.
It has a metered pump, which I much prefer with these sprays. It makes it easier to apply a similar amount each time compared to sprays and gels that don’t use a metered pump.
The main downside is that Promescent is one of the more expensive delay sprays when you consider how many sprays each bottle contains. If you’re on a tight budget, one of the lower-cost sprays coming up next might be worth trying instead.
But from personal experience, I recommend giving Promescent a go if you’re looking for the highest quality delay spray and don’t mind paying a bit extra for it.
Read my full Promescent review
2. Dynamo Delay
- Ingredients: Lidocaine 13%
- Application: metered pump spray
- Price: $18.99
Dynamo Delay is made by the adult toy company Screaming O and is one of the most potent lower-priced delay sprays I’ve tried.
With a lidocaine content of 13% USP, it contains some serious numbing power. This can be useful if you’ve found you need larger quantities to achieve the desired effect.
However, if you’re new to desensitizing sprays or have experienced erection difficulties in the past, I recommend starting with just one spray.
Dynamo Delay has a convenient metered pump, like Promescent, which will help you apply a consistent dosage.
The spray takes effect swiftly, typically within 5 to 10 minutes. It can be safely used for both oral sex and intercourse. Some men may experience mild tingling sensations, but I found them to be less pronounced compared to other sprays.
My only criticism is that the potent numbing effect can become problematic if you apply too much. Personally, using three sprays made me overly numb, so it’s important not to exceed the recommended amount.
All in all, if you’re looking for an affordable and strong desensitizing spray, Dynamo Delay is one to consider.
Read my full Dynamo Delay review
3. Stud 100
- Ingredients: lidocaine 9.6%
- Application: metered pump spray
- Price: Usually around $13
Similar to Promescent and Dynamo, Stud 100 uses lidocaine to create the numbing effect. It has a metered pump, so you can apply more or less the same amount each time you use it. It also takes effect quickly and can be safely used during oral sex, provided any excess spray is wiped off beforehand.
Stud 100 helped me increase my lasting time by several minutes during sex. Once I found the right dosage, it turned out to be a very effective and user-friendly spray.
However, like all sprays, the main potential drawback is the need for some trial and error to determine the ideal dosage. As always, if you apply too much, there’s a chance you’ll feel a bit too numb and struggle to maintain an erection or enjoy sex fully.
On the positive side, I only experienced a mild tingling sensation, which was tolerable. Additionally, there were no issues with the spray transferring to my partner.
When it comes down to it, the difference between these initial three brands boils down to the lidocaine quantity and how well the spray is absorbed by the skin.
Personally, I prefer Promescent due to its excellent absorption. Dynamo is a good option if you need the strongest possible effect. And Stud 100 is worth trying if you’re looking for an affordable spray to try out.
4. K-Y Duration
- Ingredients: spray: lidocaine 9.6%. Gel: benzocaine 7%
- Application: spray or gel depending on which you use
- Price: Usually under $20
K-Y Duration is one of the very few desensitizing sprays that are made by a well-established brand. It comes in both spray and gel versions, although the purpose of both is essentially the same, which can be a bit confusing.
In my experience, the spray version of K-Y Duration is quite similar to other lidocaine sprays I’ve tried. It works effectively when the correct dosage is applied, but once again, using just one or two sprays too many can lead to excessive numbness.
One point that puzzled me is that K-Y advises against using a condom with the spray version, despite having the same active ingredient as other brands that don’t come with such a warning. For me, this restriction is a significant drawback.
However, the gel version of K-Y Duration contains benzocaine instead and is compatible with latex condoms. I found the gel to be considerably less potent though, requiring multiple applications to achieve even a mild effect.
Despite these limitations, I included both versions in this review for two reasons. Firstly, some men may be unable to use lidocaine, making K-Y Duration gel one of the few available benzocaine alternatives, even if its effect is relatively mild.
Secondly, K-Y provides clear instructions and safety advice, which is useful when spraying your sensitive areas. The lack of instructions is common with lesser-known brands, so I appreciate the attention to detail from K-Y here.
A couple of additional points worth mentioning for both versions are that they can be used during oral sex and have only a subtle scent. Considering their relatively fast-acting nature, both the spray and gel are worth considering if you’re exploring different options.
Read my full K-Y Duration review
5. Fortacin
- Ingredients: lidocaine (7.5 mg per spray), prilocaine (2.5 mg per spray)
- Application: metered pump spray
- Available on prescription and limited online pharmacies
Fortacin, also known as Tempe and PSD502, gained significant attention a few years ago when clinical trials demonstrated its ability to help men last six times longer. The news widely reported an increase from an average of 0.6 minutes to 3.6 minutes.
In my experience, Fortacin works very quickly, with the numbing effect noticeable within just five minutes. And it helped extend my endurance by several minutes when I used it.
Similar to the previous sprays, Fortacin has a convenient metered pump for consistent dosage. It can be used safely during oral sex, as well as during unprotected sex or with latex condoms.
However, one issue I had is that it creates a hot tingling sensation, even with smaller doses. Although not a deal-breaker, I found it slightly more uncomfortable compared to sprays that solely contain lidocaine.
On a positive note, Fortacin has undergone extensive clinical trials, which most other over the counter delay sprays I’ve tested haven’t. It’s been approved as a safe and effective product by the European Medicines Agency, which is again uncommon with these products.
It’s important to note that Fortacin is currently only available in some countries, either by prescription or online, so you may find you can’t get it where you are.
6. Edge Delay Gel
- Ingredients: ginkgo biloba, ginseng, horny goat weed, velvet bean, and uncaria gambir.
- Application: gel
- Price: Usually under $25
Edge Delay Gel takes a very different approach to most delay sprays I’ve tested. Instead of using lidocaine, benzocaine, or prilocaine, it’s made with an interesting range of ingredients from various parts of the world.
Each herbal ingredient is intended to help with specific sexual problems such as premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and low libido. However, I couldn’t find strong scientific backing that they work effectively for those issues, with more anecdotal evidence online as far as I can tell.
One key difference is that Edge Delay Gel is slower to take effect, needing around an hour for its full impact. Once it does kick in, I found it tends to last much longer than lidocaine sprays. In my experience, the effects were still active several hours after first applying it.
Because it’s a gel rather than a spray, getting the dosage right each time can be tricky though. Additionally, even a slightly excessive amount of gel resulted in a strong tingling sensation when I used it. So I recommend erring on the side of caution and only applying a little the first time you test it.
Even though it can last a long time, the numbing effect wasn’t as potent as lidocaine sprays in my case, which might be better if you’ve encountered difficulties in getting an erection due to excessive numbing with delay sprays.
Another plus is that my partner and I had no issues using it during oral or unprotected sex. And there was no transference, unpleasant odor, or greasy residue.
On balance, I personally prefer the lidocaine sprays. However, Edge Delay Gel offers an interesting alternative if you don’t want to use the more typical sprays.
Read my full Edge Delay Gel review.
Final word
Please keep in mind that I’m not a medical professional, and this article is based on my own personal experience of using delay sprays and gels. While I’ve had good results from them, it’s not guaranteed that they will work for all men.
Premature ejaculation can have different causes. It’s also possible that different men may react to the ingredients, with possible side effects such as tingling or burning sensations or too much numbness. And please remember to be careful with how you use the spray and wipe or wash the residue off carefully after using it so it doesn’t transfer to your partner.
If in doubt, please consult with your healthcare provider to check that a delay sprays is a safe and effective choice for you. Depending on where you live in the world, you might be able to get a prescription for a spray not easily available online, as well as other treatment options to consider.
Medical websites that mention topical sprays
If you’d like some further reading, here are three medical websites that discuss premature ejaculation treatments, with sections covering topical delay sprays:
