Premature ejaculation is a common sexual illness affecting men of all ages. It’s defined as a discharge after 1 minute of vaginal penetration or earlier than the man desires. PE could cause stress and romantic issues for the man and his partner. PE is treated through behavioural therapy, medication, and via topical medications such as lidocaine spray. This paper is dedicated to examining the effects of lidocaine spray on premature ejaculation and its effectiveness in managing it.
What is Lidocaine Spray?
Lidocaine spray is a topical anesthetic commonly administered for dental and medical purposes to numb particular tissues. It inhibits the nervous system and reduces pain and discomfort. In PE, lidocaine spray is sprayed on the penis to decrease sensitivity and delay ejaculation.
What Does Lidocaine Spray Do for PE?
PE results from an overreaction of the nerves of the penis. Such hypersensitivity can cause rapid and unpredictable ejaculation. Lidocaine spray depresses nerves in the penis, slowing ejaculation.
If you spray lidocaine into the penis, it numbs it and makes it sensitive. This gives the man more control of his ejaculation and delays the peak. The spray is usually used 5-15 minutes before sex, and the sedative effect lasts up to an hour.
Lidocaine spray may also be administered alongside other PE treatments, including behavioural therapy or medication. It can enable men with PE to get more control over their ejaculation and experience sexual intimacy.
Lidocaine Spray Effectiveness in PE.
A number of studies have been done to find out whether lidocaine spray is a viable treatment for PE. The Journal of Sexual Medicine published a study showing that lidocaine spray was far more effective than placebo in prolonging time to ejaculation. The study also found that the spray was well tolerated and did not produce significant side effects.
A second report, published in the Indian Journal of Urology, found that lidocaine spray delayed ejaculation and promoted sexual satisfaction in PE men. The researchers also found the spray was comfortable to use, suffered from low side effects, and was well-received by patients.
But lidocaine spray might not suit all PE patients. Some men need more lidocaine, or may not tolerate the medication. You should consult with a healthcare professional to assess the appropriate treatment for your particular PE.
How Safe is Lidocaine Spray and What Are The Side Effects?
Safety:
Lidocaine spray is generally considered safe, provided you follow the directions. It is necessary to take a few precautions, though, to make it work correctly. You need to strictly adhere to the dose and usage recommendations as excessive consumption may cause systemic toxicity. Lidocaine spray should be administered only with caution in patients with liver or kidney disease, heart disease, or during pregnancy, and only under the direct guidance of a healthcare provider.
Side Effects:
Lidocaine spray most commonly causes local reactions at the point of use like stinging, burning, or irritation.
Stinging
Stinging and other acute forms of pain are the most common specific local reactions seen when lidocaine is sprayed. They are often described as short-term pains felt by the patient upon application. While the precise mechanism for stinging is not entirely known, it has been assumed to be caused by lidocaine touching the skin lining of the incision where it had been injected. This feeling is particularly strong in irritated mucous membranes and where the spray has been sprayed on injured or painful tissue. Although short-lived, some patients might find the resultant stinging painful.
Burning
Another common local response is burning, a monotonous, lingering sensation that is a little deeper than stinging. This has been found to last in many instances for a few minutes after the lidocaine is applied and, like stinging, is due to the primary contact between lidocaine and the mucosal surfaces. Yet in several instances burning is enhanced by lidocaine’s anaesthetic effect on the sense of heat and cold. They might therefore be more sensitive to temperature fluctuations in the treatment area after and during treatment.
Irritation
Irritation is a localized, generalised response that runs the gamut from inflammation to swelling to itching. The experience is usually mild and debilitating, and disappears after a few hours of use. Irritation would, on average, never lead to a problem, but in some cases can be more intense and last longer. In such cases, pain might be strong enough to lead to discontent with the treatment or fear of future use.
These reactions are typically minor and brief, and pass with their own accord within a few minutes.
More severe side effects, including allergy, are uncommon, but can occur. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or anaphylaxis. If you feel any of these symptoms, contact a physician as soon as possible.
The most common, and fatal, side effect of lidocaine spray is systemic toxicity. It can happen when the medication enters the bloodstream in an overdose, causing dizziness, confusion, seizures, and even heart failure. Systemic toxicity tends to be more likely in patients with liver or kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, or excessive lidocaine spray use.
Conclusion:
Lidocaine spray is an anaesthetic used topically to delay ejaculation and enhance sexual satisfaction in PE men. It works by lowering the pressure on nerves in the penis, allowing more precise control over ejaculation. The lidocaine spray is quite safe, well-tolerated and leaves you with as few side effects as possible. Yet it may not suit all PE sufferers, and it’s important to speak with a medical expert about the best course of action. Generally speaking, lidocaine spray could prove useful for managing PE and enhancing sexual function in men and their partners.
