Topical anaesthetic use for treating premature ejaculation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

OBJECTIVE To assess the use of a topical anaesthetic mixture to improve premature ejaculation (PE), for which penile hypersensitivity might be a cause. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 42 men divided in two groups; group A used a lidocaine-prilocaine solution and group B used an inert cream. The tubes of cream were distributed randomly and participants asked to note any unpleasant symptoms, difficulties and the results of each attempt at intercourse, assessed by the intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT). RESULTS There was a significant increase in the mean (sd) IELT, from 1.49 (0.9) to 8.45 (0.9) min (P < 0.001) in group A but not in group B, at 1.67 (0.7) to 1.95 (0.12) min (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION We suggest that anaesthetic cream might be effective for treating PE.