If the physical pleasure of sex makes you finish when your partner is just getting started, it might help to dial down that pleasure with the help of a numbing condom.
Using a standard or thicker condom often helps take the stimulation down a notch, as you probably already know. Many men say that sex is less pleasurable with a condom on, which can benefit men with premature ejaculation. Adding a bit of topical anaesthetic goes a step further and adds even more of a barrier.
It’s worth keeping in mind that although some men will find they work wonders, others might find they reduce the pleasure too much or make it difficult to maintain an erection. So really, it’s a case of trial and error. But since condoms aren’t expensive, I think this is a good method to experiment with at least once.
Durex and Trojan are the main manufacturers of delay condoms, so I’ll be focussing on those in this review. You can buy the
1. Trojan Extended Pleasure
Of the four types I’ve tried, Trojan Extended Pleasure probably worked best for me. I’ve used them many times, and I find they do a good job of reducing the stimulation of sex.
Opening the condom packet is easier than the others. It has a paper feel rather than the fiddly metallic material, and you can open it quickly and easily, which isn’t always the case with condoms.
It contains 4% benzocaine, which is evenly spread inside the tip of the condom. Some other brands use blobs of heat-activated gel, which looks a bit odd.
The condom is also larger than the others, so if you ever find them uncomfortably tight around the base of your penis, this one will be a good option for you.
Importantly though, it doesn’t numb me so much that I can’t enjoy sex. My partner also has no problems with the condom, says there’s no odor and that it feels like a normal condom to her.
In the photo below you can see the last box of Trojan I bought. You can see how the packet is less shiny than others, and it’s much easier to open.
The only potential issue particular to this condom is that there’s quite a bit of lubricant on the outside when you remove it from the packet. It gets on your fingers, but a quick wipe on whatever you have nearby will get rid of it.
Overall, I’m a fan of Trojan Extended Pleasure. It’s a reliable brand, easy to use, and works well. And that’s all you need from a desensitizing condom.
2. Durex Performax Intense
Durex
It contains 5% benzocaine, which is a little more than Trojan’s 4%. I couldn’t personally tell the difference between the two in terms of how strong the numbing was though.
The other main feature of the Durex is the idea of raising your partner’s arousal by including dots and ribs to stimulate them more.
The idea is that the condom both helps you last longer and stimulates them more. So hopefully you’ll both have a better chance of reaching climax together.
My partner definitely feels the extra stimulation and enjoys it a lot. I don’t think it’s enough on its own to ensure mutual climax, but it’s fun to experiment with.
Like the Trojan, the condom numbs me enough to last longer, that much is for sure. And again, the loss of sensitivity is noticeable, but not so much that I don’t enjoy sex.
The main issue is that the benzocaine is heat activated. So when you open the pack, it has blobs of gel that only melt when you put it on.
Admittedly it’s less slippy to use than Trojan. But it looks and feels a little unusual, especially if you’re with a new partner.
3. Durex Prolong
Durex extended pleasure also contains 5% benzocaine, the same as the Performax intense. It also has a ribbed design to provide your partner with extra stimulation.
Again, the benzocaine is heat activated, so it only spreads when you put it on. Before you put it on you’ll see little lumps at the end of the condom, which will then melt with your body heat and some massaging.
The main difference between this one and the Performax Intense seems to be the thickness. The Intense version are, well, more intense as they are slightly thinner. So I think Prolong condoms would be better if you want all the help you can get – thicker shield, benzocaine, and ribs for her pleasure.
When I’ve tried them, they definitely help me last a few minutes longer than with a normal condom, and considerably longer than without a condom at all. So on balance, I think it’s worth experimenting with both Durex delay condom versions to see which works best for you personally.
Agree with best climax delay condoms, that’s good to protection with long lasting enjoyment.
I want recommend to add NottyBoy climax delay condom also, i tried personally, it was very helpful to control my climax.
Thanks for the suggestion Ronan, I’ll look into those.
Hi. I have a question. I bought the Performax condom, and the tip of the unrolled condom has a solid clump of something (looks like a piece of wax). According to your article, it is the benzocaine. However, when I put on the condom, that benzocaine is stuck in the inner tip area of the condom and doesn’t go down the rest of the shaft. Is it supposed to be like that? I am also worried about it going inside my penis opening. What is the correct way to put it on? Why is the benzocaine just in the tip area?
Hi Guy
That’s a totally valid question, and one of the downsides of the Performax I think.
In my experience, the best thing to do is massage the tip a little first with your fingers to warm up and melt the benzocaine – which as you say, does look a bit like wax. It will usually melt anyway when you wear it, but it can take a little time, and obviously doesn’t always then spread itself evenly down the penis. So really, the best thing to do is experiment a little with the action to warm it up. I’m just wondering as well if it’s cold where you are, perhaps experiment with warming up the pack itself before you have sex. I have no idea off the top of my head if this would help, but it’s worth a try maybe..
Ethan
Thanks for the reply. I was thinking about maybe taking the solid benzocaine and rubbing it on my penis before putting on the condom. I don’t know if that’s a good idea or not. I’m just worried about it going inside my penis opening if I put it on when it’s on the tip. Is it possible for it to flow inside my penis?
Also the other condoms are different and don’t have the solid benzocaine? I keep it in a cool, dry, dark place.
No problem. I understand your worry, but I don’t think it’s possible to completely stop any of it from going inside the opening – even if it’s not a visible amount. Presumably they would not sell them if this was a serious health risk? But yeah, getting a big lump stuck in there obviously doesn’t sound like a pleasant experience! Again, just massage or rub the tip either before or after you put it on.
For me, Trojan seemed less lumpy in that respect, so maybe give those a try.
Potentially, yes. So try not to let that happen!
Hi. How long before sex should the condom be put on?
Hi
Good question! The numbing works pretty quickly, so I would say just a few minutes (5 or less) before sex would be fine. But really, it kind of depends partly on your ability to maintain an erection once you put a condom on. So you might need to experiment a little to find the best timing.
Ethan
Any side effect of benzocaine?
Hi
The most likely side effects are a tingling or burning sensation, and sometimes difficulty in maintaining an erection.
Ethan
Which is the best condom that containes benzocaine cream in it?
Hi Vrushank
I like Trojan personally, but there’s not that much difference between Trojan and Durex really. I’d say give both a go and see which you prefer.
Ethan
Wow. My gf is never letting me wear one of these again. I lasted so so long. I felt like a porn star, changing positions watching her moan and have an expression of surprise. She came literally about 10 times through PIV. but she said it’s excessive and I came way in the end and she was very very sore. The products do work but I prefer the stop and start method and the squeeze technique that Ethan writes about. I did not use those techniques in addition to the condoms, but with those techniques alone I can last as long as I want. I really recommend you read the articles, women will become addicted to you – you will be one of the few, if any, to be able to please them.
Ethan, Thank you very much!
Hi Don
Glad you liked the articles! I guess that’s one of the other effects of delay products if they work very well – the potential to end up in soreness through just not finishing. A happy medium is probably the best option – perhaps switch to a normal condom if you find it cuts out too much sensation.
Ethan
Hi, after I’m done with the condom and take it off can I wash it and have oral sex.. will it still leave traces on my penis?
Hi Clinton
I think if you wash well, you should be fine. But honestly, I haven’t tried this myself, so can’t be 100%. I’d definitely give yourself a very good wash or shower, because that gel can be pretty messy.
Ethan
Hi, can I still feel the feeling of ejaculating? I’m afraid that I might not feel it after using these kinds of condom.
Hi Irish
Yes, you should still feel that.
Ethan
How much longer should i expect to last with these condoms?
Hi Bojan
There is no way to tell, unfortunately, which is why I don’t state a specific time. It depends on the person, the sex, the reason for the lasting time problem and other factors. But if it’s purely a physical sensitivity problem, you could last half a minute longer, or many minutes longer – there’s just no way to know until you try one.
Ethan
Question, can you use a delay spray combined with a delay condom for maximum performance or will it be too much and cause erection loss?
Hi Ryan
First you need to check if the spray is compatible with condoms at all. Most, but not all, are. Then the issue is the triple barrier – original spray, delay gel inside the condom, then condom wall itself. And for me, that’s a recipe for feeling very, very little – which is then more likely to lead to erection loss.
I guess the thing is to try it and see, but don’t be suprised if you end up insanely numb and unable to get it up at all.
Ethan
how long does it take for the benzocaine to take effect?
Hi
It’s pretty quick in my experience – just a few minutes and it will kick in.
Ethan
Is it harmful to your mouth?
Hi
It’s best to avoid getting benzocaine in the mouth. Personally, I would probably avoid oral sex with these condoms because the gel tends to be quite messy.
Ethan
Hi! My partner suffers from a UTI since we had sex from a latex condom. She has troubles during urination. What could be done?
Hi James,
Has she seen a doctor about it? Usually they will prescribe medication to help with a UTI. There’s not much else I can offer to help – sorry.
Regards
Ethan
Is it possible to get burned on the inside (edge) of your penis by using this type of condom?
I used Durex and while having sex, I felt something very hot on the tip of my penis like poking with a needle. It was very abnormal and it was a itching so I took a look at it and there is a small scar inside. I think it must have been burned.
I was worried if it was std but then after reading your post, I’m pretty sure it was the condom. What do you think???
Hi Jack
I’ve never heard of this happening. I guess if you’re very sensitive to benzocaine it’s possible. But for a scar to form so quickly seems unusual. Maybe there was something already there and the condom, benzocaine or sex friction irritated it. But just to be on the safe side, I would avoid benzocaine products. And if it’s still there when you read this reply, I would get a checkup anyway.
Ethan
Hey Ethan, is it recommended to have oral sex straight after having used a condom that contains benzocaine? Assuming that you don’t finish during sex.
Thank you.
Hi Kobe
Good question. Personally, I don’t think it’s a good idea. One thing is the risk of transferring the numbing to your partner’s mouth. Secondly, it’s probably going to taste unpleasant.
Ethan
WE found the Durex worked for us by putting the condom on 20 minutes before hand & carefully spreading around the gel in the condom. I was still able to get erect and the Hitachi vibrator is brought into play for about 5 minutes then the condom is removed after about another 10 minutes vibratory work I would reach an orgasm. After following this procedure ; once week for couple of months the delay condom was not required. Arvin
Hi there
Thanks for sharing your experience. I understand from your comment that you didn’t then use the condom for sex, just to give yourself the benzocaine numbing? Or did you keep it on for sex?
Ethan
Hi, can these desensitising condoms cause permanent election problems?
Hi Jack
Not that I’m aware of. Some readers have mentioned that they have had erection problems after using delay sprays, which usually have lidocaine rather than benzocaine. But I have never seen any research suggesting that they can cause permanent erectile dysfunction.
I’ve been thinking recently about what it might be, as the idea of it being coincidence seems odd to me. I wonder if sometimes they cause numbing that leads to erection loss and a bad sexual experience. That perhaps kicks in some psychological effects of worrying about future erection loss and embarrassment etc. That’s just my personal feeling about it. So I would try them with a clear message in the back of your mind that if you have erection loss, it’s nothing to worry about, just the desensitizing product’s fault, and there’s nothing more to it.
Ethan
Could you effectively kill two birds with one stone and take Viagra to keep the erection and a desensitising condom to make you last longer? I worry that not feeling (or reduced feeling) would cause loss of erection
Hi Bob
Yes, you could do that I think. Personally, I’d try just viagra first though as it helps some men last longer.
Ethan
Hi and thanks for the information. I was wondering, couldn’t I just buy numbing cream and put on a condom carefully over it?
Hi Tj
You’re welcome. In theory, yes, as long as it’s a latex condom normally. I’d use a spray rather than a cream though as they absorb better.
Ethan
Thanks for the helpful review Ethan. I wanted to ask what the risk is of getting the gel on your fingers, or outside of the condom, and then transferring it to your partner?
Hi Rob
You’re welcome! That’s a good question, and I think there is a small risk and you need to be slow and careful when you put them on. Just make sure you get it on the right way round, and if you end up with any gel on your fingers, give them a good wipe or wash.
Ethan
with benzocaine condoms can my partner do a oral sex (BJ),
Hi Sam
Yes, in theory. But in my experience, the gel sometimes seems to spread to both sides of the condom. So personally, I’d probably avoid oral.
Ethan
Hi Ethan,
Do you know of any brands that make condoms containing less benzocaine? Perhaps 2%? Trojan’s 4% made me lose my erection after about 20 minutes.
Hi Sean
Sorry, no I don’t. If I find one, I’ll add it though.
Ethan
Hi Ethan,
Have you reviewed Durex performax intense, by chance? Or KY Duration as a spray? Any insight or information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Chris
Hi Chris
I have tried that condom, and need to update this article to include more info. about it – it’s in the pipeline to do! I actually really liked that condom, and my partner did too. It definitely has enough to numb you, feels good to wear and the ribbed dots feels good for her. So I’d recommend giving it a go.
As for KY Duration, I have now reviewed it, which you can find in the delay spray section.
Ethan
Thanks for the info. I have a question though. What if the condom comes off, will the desensitizing cream go to my partner and cause a problem?
Hi Jack
That hasn’t happened to me when I’ve used them, so I can’t say from personal experience. But I imagine it is a possibility, yes.
Ethan