Guide to Finding the Best Delay Spray for Men

Depending on how experts define it, premature ejaculation (PE) affects between one-fifth and one-third of men in the United States.1 2 And even if you don’t suffer from clinically defined premature ejaculation, lasting longer in bed can be pleasurable for everyone involved. Most men require about five minutes to reach orgasm during sex, while the average time needed for women during sexual activity is more than 15 minutes. In heterosexual encounters, this leads to what’s been dubbed the orgasm gap.3

To bridge that divide, some companies formulated delay sprays — topical anesthetics that slightly numb the penis. There are dozens of delay sprays on the market. These products used to require a visit to some sketchy adult store or a wait at the doctor’s office, but now they are readily available online from reputable telehealth companies.

We closely examined the sprays sold by the most popular brands to identify the outstanding options for you. Three brands rise to the top in 2026, and we recommend that you go with one of them. In this guide, we’ll break down how they work and how much they cost so that you can choose the best one for you.

In our opinion, the best choice for most men is Promescent Delay Spray.

More details on these companies and products as you continue reading, but here is a quick summary of our findings for those in a hurry.

At Innerbody Research, we extensively test each health service we review, including these delay sprays. All told, our team has spent over 200 hours testing and researching these sprays and their alternatives. We’ve physically used these products to provide you with honest experiential data, which we’ve tempered with deep dives into clinical research regarding PE, topical anesthesia, and men’s sexual health.

Additionally, like all health-related content on this website, this review was thoroughly vetted by one or more members of our Medical Review Board for accuracy.

Over the past two decades, Innerbody Research has helped tens of millions of readers make more informed decisions to live healthier lifestyles.

In addition to safety and customer service considerations, we compared overall price, price per ounce, effectiveness, and numbing duration to give you the best picture of the product landscape.

Here’s a handy chart that breaks down key results from our delay spray testing:

To calculate cost per use in the chart, we used the average number of sprays our testers needed to achieve optimal effectiveness. Promescent proved effective with just 1–2 sprays for most testers, though the exact number will vary from person to person. Dynamo Delay technically required only one spray, but even at that level our testers generally found it too strong. K-Y required two sprays, while Popstar Labs and Stud100 required three sprays on average. At the higher end, VigRX and Hello Cake required four sprays.

Effectiveness is on a scale of 1-10 (10 being most effective in our testing). This is not a reflection of numbing power. It reflects the balance between pleasure and desensitization.

Also, Stud100 and K-Y Duration couldn’t confirm that their sprays are safe to use with condoms, which prevented them from being included among our recommended products.

Effectiveness

Advantage: Promescent

Effectiveness has to include more than just numbing power. As you can see in the chart above, we established a simple 1-10 scale for efficacy that combines a delay spray’s numbing power with its ability to allow you to enjoy yourself. After all, there wouldn’t be much point if you couldn’t feel anything.

We also consider a spray’s ability to absorb after minimal rubbing in, which is an important part of its efficacy and safety. Promescent offered the best absorption, while other brands required more wiping to clean the penis before intercourse. In general, we found that the experience was most convenient and enjoyable when less product was needed to achieve results.

That said, some men may prefer a greater or lesser degree of numbing power in their delay spray. This is especially true for men who don’t suffer from what could clinically be diagnosed as premature ejaculation but still want to last longer in bed.4 A very slight numbing sensation may be all such men need to extend their performance meaningfully.

Also built into effectiveness is the performance of the spray bottle itself. In testing, we found that the top three delay sprays on our list from Promescent, VigRX, and Hello Cake each ejected their liquid in specific patterns.

Check out this slow-motion video of all three of those delay sprays in action:

Promescent offers what our testers found to be the most useful pattern — not too broad, not too straight. Meanwhile, Hello Cake and VigRX spray in a much narrower stream, releasing a straight-line jet that’s easy to aim but somewhat forceful and occasionally causes a bit of backsplash.

Sprays like KY Duration and Dynamo Delay move in the other direction, producing broader patterns that can make it harder to aim precisely and increase the chances of wasting some of the product.

Cost

Advantage: VigRX

Cost evaluations can be tricky here. While one company might offer more sprays per dollar than another, that spray might not be as effective or last as long.

Technically, Dynamo Delay has the lowest cost per use in the chart, but that number is somewhat misleading. Even with a single spray, our testers generally found Dynamo’s formula too strong, making it difficult to achieve the balance between pleasure and desensitization that we prioritized in our ratings.

Among the products that performed well in testing, VigRX offers the lowest cost per use. For those on a tight budget, the VigRX delay spray presents a good long-term value. Though it’s not quite as effective as Promescent, it’s likely to be effective enough for the majority of men.

However, VigRX is only available in a relatively large bottle with a sticker price that’s much higher than the $23 you’d pay to get your hands on Promescent. That’s just one of the reasons we consider Promescent a strong runner-up for cost, but we also consider bulk, bundle, and subscription savings opportunities.

For around the same price as a bottle of VigRX delay spray, you could get the Promescent Home and Away kit, which includes one 20-spray bottle and one 60-spray bottle.

Safety

Advantage: Promescent

Promescent uses lidocaine as its active ingredient, a topical anesthetic that is generally well tolerated by most people.8 While lidocaine allergies do occur, they affect a relatively small percentage of the population. There is a small risk of side effects like reddening, itching, or a burning sensation, even in those without diagnosed allergies. Benzocaine allergies are slightly more common than lidocaine allergies, which puts most delay wipes a step behind sprays in the safety department. Benzocaine is also the primary numbing agent in Hello Cake and VigRX’s delay sprays, with the latter containing several botanically derived ingredients associated with analgesic potential in Chinese medicine.25

What adds to Promescent’s safety rating is the degree to which its spray absorbs into the skin while remaining effective. This dramatically reduces the risk of spreading the anesthetic to your partner, who may have an allergic reaction if they aren’t aware of the delay spray’s ingredients. In testing, our team found that Promescent absorbed more thoroughly than Hello Cake or VigRX.

One downside of Promescent is the use of a macadamia nut oil in its formulas, which may be a concern for those with tree nut allergies. According to the most rigorously performed studies included in a 2015 review, up to 1.6% of the population has a tree nut allergy.27 Of that population, approximately 5% are sensitive to macadamia, specifically.28 Of the roughly 332 million people living in the U.S., that makes about 266,000 people that could have a nut-based reaction to the macadamia nut oil ingredient. That’s less than 0.01% of people, though.

There are certain contraindications for lidocaine with some medications that can lead to methemoglobinemia, a condition in which the ability of your blood to carry oxygen is greatly diminished.9 These drugs include nitrates, other topical anesthetics, antibiotics, antimalarials, and anticonvulsants. We’ll go into greater detail regarding these risks in our dedicated safety section below, but a far greater risk exists when using higher concentrations and quantities of lidocaine to numb an area completely. The much smaller amount in the average delay spray dose is less risky.

Customer service and discretion

Advantage: Promescent

All of the companies we evaluated offer discreet shipping and packaging, so there wasn’t much separation on that front. Instead, this category came down to customer support and access to additional care.

Promescent earns the edge in part because of the broader support it offers for men dealing with related sexual health concerns. PE and erectile dysfunction (ED) frequently occur together, and research shows men with PE are significantly more likely to report ED, with one meta-analysis finding the risk nearly four times higher compared with men without PE.5 Because of this overlap, many men benefit from addressing both conditions rather than treating PE in isolation.

Both Promescent and Hello Cake now offer access to licensed healthcare providers who can prescribe treatments for ED and ejaculatory control. Promescent’s pricing for daily tadalafil (generic Cialis) is also competitive with other telehealth platforms, making it a convenient option for men exploring prescription support alongside a delay spray.

Where Promescent separates itself from Hello Cake is in accessibility. It offers more direct access to support, including the ability to speak with someone by phone. In our testing, we did not find a comparable phone support option from Hello Cake. That added access can make a meaningful difference for men who want real-time guidance or have questions about treatment options, giving Promescent the edge in this category.

They answer to many names: PE spray, premature ejaculation spray, PEJ spray, delay spray, etc. We prefer the term “delay spray” since definitions of PE vary, and the spray itself works for men with and without clinically diagnosed premature ejaculation. It can effectively delay orgasm for most men.

No matter what you call them, delay sprays provide a way for men to last longer during sex. A study from 2016 showed that Promescent — a lidocaine-based spray — allowed 65% of participants’ partners to achieve orgasm during sex, compared to around 44% without the product.6 Another study on a delay spray with an equivalent lidocaine dose to Promescent saw 80% of participants increase their time to ejaculation by more than two minutes.7 (For the record, we do not recommend the product used in that study due to a high alcohol content that renders it flammable and potentially harmful to the skin.)

Some men report more intense orgasms while using delay spray as directed because the pleasure builds more gradually over a longer period of activity.

The biggest risk delay sprays pose to users is skin irritation from allergic contact dermatitis.8 If you don’t have an allergy to either lidocaine or benzocaine, those active ingredients shouldn’t cause such a reaction. But delay sprays typically contain several inactive ingredients that may contribute to a reaction, even in the absence of allergies. For example, VigRX’s most abundant inactive ingredient is propylene glycol, a common cosmetic ingredient and a known skin irritant.26

We’ll parse the difference between lidocaine and benzocaine in a moment, but topical anesthetics such as these are contraindicated with a few common medications that can create a significant risk of methemoglobinemia.9 This condition causes a drop in your blood’s ability to carry oxygen. It can be a little tricky to diagnose at first, and if your oxygen saturation drops low enough, you could see damage to various tissues, including the brain.

If you take any of the following drugs, you should avoid exposure to topical anesthetics like delay spray:9

• Antimalarials, commonly primaquine or chloroquine
• Antineoplastic agents like cyclophosphamide or flutamide
• Antibiotics such as sulfonamides, dapsone, and nitrofurantoin
• Antianginal agents, typically nitroglycerin or nitrates
• Antihypertensives like sodium nitroprusside
• Anti-inflammatory/analgesics such as acetaminophen, celecoxib, sulfasalazine, and phenazopyridine

In some cases, such as antimalarials and antibiotics, the drugs are taken for a limited period, meaning you’ll only need to avoid delay sprays while completing the brief course of the other medication. Users of daily medications like nitrates may need to look elsewhere, such as prescription SSRI treatment, for ejaculation control.

Granted, lidocaine and benzocaine concentrations and doses associated with cases of methemoglobinemia are typically higher than what you’d encounter using a delay spray, but we still urge our readers to exercise caution and speak with a physician if you’re considering a delay spray while using any of the above medications.

Lidocaine vs. benzocaine

Delay sprays contain a local anesthetic that slightly numbs the hypersensitive nerves in your penis, allowing you to last longer while still experiencing intense enjoyment during sex. But products differ in the anesthetic they use: benzocaine or lidocaine. These belong to two different classes of local anesthetics: esters and amides, respectively. Most delay sprays (including Promescent's) use lidocaine, whereas Hello Cake, VigRX, and most delay wipes rely on benzocaine.

From an efficacy standpoint, there doesn’t appear to be a big difference between the two. Our testers have tried both extensively, though most of our benzocaine testing has been from delay wipes rather than sprays. VigRX and Hello Cake are the two benzocaine-based delay sprays we’ve tested, though VigRX’s additional botanically derived ingredients make a strict one-to-one comparison with lidocaine sprays difficult. Even so, we’ve typically found lidocaine to outperform benzocaine by very minor degrees.

Benzocaine and lidocaine allergies can be class-specific, so if you’ve had an adverse reaction to any of the anesthetics listed below, consider reaching for a delay product from a different class, and be sure to talk to your doctor.

Common amide anesthetics:

• Lidocaine
• Bupivacaine
• Ropivacaine
• Septocaine
• Carbocaine
• Prilocaine

Common ester anesthetics:

• Benzocaine
• Chloroprocaine
• Proparacaine
• Tetracaine
• Procaine
• Cocaine

Benzocaine is possibly the most common local anesthetic.10 It was first discovered in the late 1800s and then used medicinally starting in the early 1900s. Lidocaine is also a prevalent local anesthetic and the most common one used by dentists.11 You can find either anesthetic in many over-the-counter products, such as cold sore gels or ointments that help relieve sunburn or poison ivy.

The vast majority of people have no problems with either lidocaine or benzocaine, which is why delay sprays are available without a prescription. In rare cases, people have allergies to one of them. Neither of these topical anesthetics is dangerous except in rare cases or when misused; an allergic reaction is not common, but irritation can occur. An extensive patch test study looking for allergic contact dermatitis reactions in nearly 2,000 participants indicated that 2.4% of the population experiences irritation from local anesthetics such as these. More specifically, 1.1% of the study population had an allergic reaction to benzocaine, whereas only 0.8% of the participants reacted to lidocaine.8

People who are allergic to any anesthetic in the amide group should avoid delay sprays containing lidocaine. The same is true of benzocaine if you’re allergic to any other anesthetic in the ester group. If you have a known allergy, you should avoid delay sprays that contain the allergen. And you should also discuss the use of delay spray with your partner before sex, as it could trigger an allergic reaction in them.

At some point before your first time spraying it on your penis, we always recommend that you test a tiny amount of any delay spray on a small portion of your arm or leg first to ensure it doesn’t cause any local skin irritation. Better to have a little redness or itchiness on your forearm than on your genitals.

If you’re at all concerned about the risk of methemoglobinemia from using a delay spray, as we discussed above, you should know that the vast majority of cases involving topical anesthetics are specific to benzocaine, not lidocaine.

Delay spray and fertility

A small study from 2017 implied that Promescent and similar delay sprays may have negative effects on semen characteristics.12 The study was titled: “Promescent Has a Cytotoxic Impact on Fresh Human Sperm In Vitro.” That sounds pretty scary, but all it means is that a small study conducted in a lab on semen specimens revealed that lidocaine-based numbing sprays could harm progressive motility and viability and cause some DNA fragmentation.

But the methods of the study are critical. Each sample of semen was hit with two full sprays of Promescent. In real-world practice, you might only apply one or two sprays to your entire penis, let it absorb, and wipe away any excess. So, the odds of your semen coming into contact with enough Promescent to replicate the study findings are extremely small. And there is nothing in the study to suggest that this could be a long-term effect of delay spray use.

Ultimately, if you’re trying to conceive, you might want to leave your delay spray in the drawer during ovulation periods. You also should not rely on a delay spray to act as a spermicide or protect you from pregnancy or any sexually transmitted infections.

Based on our testing and research, Promescent is the best delay spray available right now. It offers the highest degree of efficacy with a low cost per use, albeit not the lowest. Our testers found that the bottle offered more sprays than advertised and was easy to carry around in pants or jacket pockets.

In short, Promescent is more effective, more convenient, and longer-lasting than competing products, based on our testing. And because it uses lidocaine, Promescent is also less likely to cause any skin irritation.

However, if budget is your number one concern and you’re willing to sacrifice some effectiveness, VigRX Delay Spray provides more product for your money. It’s a very good deal in the landscape of high-quality delay sprays when you account for how long a bottle will last. But its sticker price is higher than the entry-level bottles from Promescent.

For those with benzocaine sensitivity

The benzocaine in VigRX and Hello Cake (or most delay wipes) won’t irritate most people, but it is a little more likely to be an issue; of the 2.4% of people who react poorly to local anesthetics, 45% of them react to benzocaine, while 32% react to lidocaine.8 If benzocaine has irritated you in the past, then Promescent is your best choice.

For those with lidocaine sensitivity

If a lidocaine sensitivity prohibits you from using Promescent, you may want to reach for a product that uses benzocaine instead. Hello Cake Climax Control uses benzocaine in a relatively simple spray formula, making it a straightforward alternative for those looking to avoid lidocaine.

VigRX also uses benzocaine in its delay spray, but it includes a litany of additional ingredients, many of which are botanically derived, to achieve its numbing effect. Some of these ingredients may cause irritation on their own, so people with sensitive skin may prefer to start with a simpler formula like Hello Cake Climax Control or a benzocaine wipe. Hims and Promescent both offer benzocaine-based delay wipes, which can be another option for those trying to avoid lidocaine sprays.

As their name suggests, delay sprays delay a penile orgasm, allowing sexual activity to continue longer. The sprays achieve their intended effect by using lidocaine or benzocaine to slightly and temporarily numb the nerves in a man’s penis. You follow the instructions to spray a small amount of the product onto your penis and then wait a certain amount of time before sexual activity. But how do benzocaine and lidocaine cause that numbing sensation?

Normally, your nerve cells send sensation signals by exchanging sodium and potassium ions with their environment, resulting in a negative charge that flows through your body along voltage-gated ion channels like a current along an electrical cord.13 When that current reaches your brain, you interpret those signals as the sensation of touch or pain.

Both benzocaine and lidocaine destabilize the sodium part of the puzzle, which temporarily prevents nerve cells from using negative sodium ions to create any signals.14 Without those signals, you lose feeling. As the lidocaine dissolves and breaks down in the body, sodium ions stabilize, and the feeling returns.

Traditional benzocaine and lidocaine were crystalline. They could only exist in a spray as a solution that took a long time to absorb and often left the anesthetic on the surface of your skin in considerable quantity. Dr. Ronald Gilbert created the first oil-aqueous form of lidocaine, which allowed the numbing agent to absorb into the skin after a few minutes.15 He marketed this spray as Promescent.

Delay sprays are best suited for men who want a practical, on-demand way to improve control during sex.

This includes:

Who should look elsewhere?

While delay sprays are safe and effective for most men, there are a few situations where they may not be the best fit — or where a bit of extra caution is warranted.

Best overall and best for sensitive skin

Promescent was at the heart of the delay spray revolution. Its founder, Dr. Ronald Gilbert, developed the first successful oil-aqueous lidocaine that could quickly absorb into the skin instead of sitting on top of it. This absorption allowed Promescent Delay Spray to work faster, more effectively, and (when used as directed) with little to no transfer of the numbing effect from the man to his sexual partner.

Clinical studies of Promescent’s delay spray support its effectiveness.6 Ejaculation latency increased nearly twofold, and over 90% of men report that using Promescent’s Delay Spray wasn’t meaningfully interruptive to the sexual experience. That means that having to stop and apply Promescent didn’t derail the mood.

Here’s a look at the complete ingredient profile for Promescent Delay Spray:

Promescent also recently ventured into the wipe space, offering a simple, highly portable option in individually wrapped wipes. However, the company plainly states that these wipes, which contain benzocaine rather than original Promescent’s lidocaine, are somewhat less effective than delay spray. We applaud Promescent for this honesty, though we certainly still encourage men to try either product, as the benzocaine wipes will still work well enough for many men.

Beyond delay products, Promescent continues to grow, offering a slew of additional sexual products, including:

• ED medications
• Sex toys
• Lubricant
• Condoms
• Hygiene products
• Supplements
• Arousal gel
• Massage oils

Of all the companies in this guide, Promescent has the best selection of sex-specific products, though Hello Cake comes close with its own growing lineup of sexual wellness products.

Value

The first bottle of Promescent spray may cost you a little more than competitors like VigRX. But if the product works well for you, then Promescent’s bundling opportunities make it an excellent value for a high-quality, lidocaine-based delay spray supply.

Promescent comes in single bottles of different sizes, ranging from $23 for a 20-spray bottle to $60 for a 60-spray bottle. So the price-per-spray drops to $1 with the larger bottle, compared to $1.15 per spray with the smallest. Note, however, that our testers unanimously reported more sprays per bottle than what Promescent promised. For our testers, the price per spray in a single 20-spray Promescent bottle was actually $0.66 from about 35 sprays.

Additionally, you can buy packages containing multiple bottles of varying sizes, whether you want handy travel-size bottles that fit discreetly in pockets, larger bottles for your bedside drawer, or a combination of these. We made a video summary of our testing experience, which includes a closer look at the large and small Promescent Delay Spray bottles that come with their "Home and Away" bundle, and how to open a bottle.

Any of Promescent’s delay sprays and bundles are eligible for subscriptions, but not all of those subscriptions amount to savings. Here’s a quick look at what you can save by subscribing:

While it’s disappointing that Promescent’s subscription savings are inconsistent, the product still offers strong overall value compared with many competing delay sprays.

Promescent offers a 60-day guarantee, giving you ample time to test the product and decide if it’s right for you. This window is longer than Hello Cake’s 30-day policy but slightly shorter than VigRX’s 67-day window. Shipping is free on orders over $20, though smaller purchases incur a $3.99 fee.

For more information about the company and its other products, visit our full Promescent review.

Best budget pick

VigRX may be familiar to you with its popular male sexual performance supplement VigRX Plus. More recently, the company broadened its product line to include a delay spray and wipes, putting it in direct competition with Promescent, Roman, and Hims. However, there are major differences between VigRX’s product and those others.

Like most delay wipes, but unlike Promescent spray, VigRX delay spray relies on benzocaine as its numbing agent. Benzocaine is slightly more likely to cause allergic contact dermatitis – a localized allergic reaction at the contact point — than lidocaine.

If you’ve experienced an adverse reaction to one anesthetic, you may not experience any reaction to the other; benzocaine belongs to the ester group of local anesthetics, whereas lidocaine belongs to the amide group. However, in reality, 97% of men and their sexual partners will not experience issues with either of these topical anesthetics.

VigRX also includes a litany of botanical ingredients purported to help desensitize the penis. In our testing, we found VigRX’s spray to perform slightly stronger than Hello Cake, another benzocaine-based spray. Whether that difference comes from the additional botanical ingredients or simply a higher benzocaine concentration is difficult to determine, as VigRX does not disclose the amount of benzocaine in its formula.

Research behind some of these ingredients supports claims of desensitization, though much more is needed. For example, cinnamomum zeylanicum and ginseng root extracts have been shown to have anti-nociceptive (pain-blocking) effects.17 18 How this might translate to sexual desensitization is not clinically apparent, and few other ingredients in VigRX have this kind of research associated with them.

In addition to benzocaine, VigRX ingredients include:

VigRX offers a delay wipe, as well, but for some reason, their wipes remove benzocaine altogether in favor of the natural ingredients zanthoxylum oil and peony extract. Unfortunately, the majority of the evidence supporting either ingredient is anecdotal. The limited animal research on Zanthoxylum is indirect and doesn’t clearly translate to topical sexual desensitization in humans.29

Thus, we cannot recommend VigRX delay wipes at this time.

Value

VigRX’s delay spray is available in orders of one, two, or three bottles, with the price per bottle decreasing as you buy more. Here’s how it breaks down:

Even at the highest bulk quantity, $43.32 is still a lot more than you’d pay for a bottle of delay spray from Promescent. But if you compare the volume of the product, you’ll see why we consider it our top budget pick. VigRX includes 50mL of its delay spray in every bottle, while Promescent’s $22 bottle contains 2.6mL.

We also have an exclusive coupon code that can improve the value for you. If you use the code INNERBODY10 at checkout, you can save an additional $10 off your order.

Shipping from VigRX is free.

Our testers found that one bottle of VigRX Delay Spray contains over 400 sprays. We can also confirm that the 20-spray bottle of Promescent put out closer to 35 sprays. Testers found a single Promescent spray to be quite effective, but if you end up needing more sprays per use than average, that Promescent bottle may not last you a full month. The same can’t be said of VigRX spray, but there is a noticeable difference in quality.

VigRX requires a few more sprays than Promescent to achieve effective results, and even the most effective VigRX experience isn’t quite as effective as Promescent. Notably, while Promescent is transparent about how much lidocaine its spray delivers, VigRX does not reveal the concentration of benzocaine within its delay spray.

VigRX also has a thicker consistency, so you likely won’t be able to rub it in entirely or have it completely absorb and dry on its own. You’ll have to be more careful wiping off any excess before intercourse, or you might risk spreading it to your partner.

We recommend that you start with the smallest possible number of sprays targeted at your most sensitive area (the area just under the head of the penis). That will help you establish your lowest effective dose.

With VigRX, you can get a full refund within 67 days if you’re unsatisfied with the delay spray. The belief is that if your bottle lasts you two months and you’re not satisfied, you’ll still have a week to request a refund.

Best benzocaine delay spray

Founded in 2018, Hello Cake is a newer entrant in the sexual wellness space. The company has built its reputation by creating situation-specific lubricants and vibrators, and its Climax Control Spray fits naturally into that portfolio.

One thing Hello Cake does particularly well is transparency around its active ingredient. The company clearly lists its benzocaine concentration at 7.5%, which helps consumers better understand the strength of the product they’re using. This contrasts with VigRX, which does not disclose the concentration of benzocaine in its formula.

In our testing, however, Hello Cake’s spray required more sprays per use than Promescent, and testers generally found it less effective than both Promescent and VigRX. Most testers needed about four sprays to achieve noticeable results. While this is still within a normal range for delay sprays, it means the product may not deliver the same level of desensitization as stronger formulas.

That said, testers generally preferred Hello Cake’s lighter consistency and neutral scent compared with VigRX’s thicker texture and cherry fragrance. Hello Cake absorbed slightly more easily and left less residue behind, which reduced the amount of cleanup needed before intercourse.

In addition to benzocaine, Hello Cake’s ingredients include:

• PEG-8
• Propylene glycol
• Water

Unlike some competitors that rely heavily on botanical extracts or complex formulations, Hello Cake’s ingredient list remains relatively concise. While absorption enhancers like PEG-8 and propylene glycol help distribute the anesthetic evenly, benzocaine remains the ingredient responsible for the product’s desensitizing effect.

Additionally, much like Promescent, Hello Cake offers a wide range of sexual wellness products, including:

• ED medications
• Sex toys
• Lubricants
• Condoms
• Hygiene products
• Supplements

When we placed our order of Hello Cake Climax Control Spray, it also came with a free bottle of aloe-based lubricant, which our testers appreciated.

Value

Hello Cake Climax Control Spray is priced more modestly than many competitors, though its bottle contains far fewer sprays than VigRX.

Each bottle is labeled as containing 100 sprays, though our testers measured closer to 120. In our testing, most users needed about four sprays per use to achieve consistent results, yielding roughly 30 uses per bottle and a cost per use of about $0.67 (or about $0.57 with a subscription).

Shipping costs $4.95 anywhere in the United States.

Hello Cake also offers what it calls a “Good Times Guarantee.” If you’re unhappy with the product, you can contact customer service within 30 days to request a refund, replacement, or store credit. That return window is shorter than both Promescent’s 60-day guarantee and VigRX’s 67-day policy.

Using a delay spray is a straightforward process, but it’s essential to follow the instructions to use the product safely and with the desired effects. Before ever trying a spray out on your genitalia, we recommend doing a spot test on another part of your body — like your forearm — to check for any allergic reaction.

1. Shake the bottle gently before using. Make sure any caps or locking mechanisms are in place so there’s no accidental discharge.
2. Spray specifically sensitive areas. In most cases, focus on the frenulum and the underside of the glans (or head). The frenulum of the penis is the small, v-shaped flap of sensitive skin on the underside of the penis, just below the head. Apply 1-3 sprays. You can spray more before your subsequent encounter if the number you tried at first was ineffective. Up to ten sprays is a safe dosage. However, less is always better if it’s effective for you. You save product and money over time.
3. Rub in the product gently. You don’t want to be too vigorous here, especially if you apply the product to an erect penis, as you might unintentionally climax. Just rub enough to help the solution absorb.
4. Wait up to 15 minutes until the product is completely dry on your penis. Waiting as instructed allows the delay spray to be effective for you and prevents transferring its effect to your partner, which is not what anyone wants.
5. Wipe away any excess. Otherwise, a small amount of excess product may cross over to your partner and induce a numbing sensation for them.

After that, you’re free to enjoy intercourse as usual, including oral sex. Condoms and lubricants are compatible with the delay sprays we recommend, though some brands advise using latex condoms for maximum compatibility.

If this is your first time using a delay spray, keep in mind that most men find three sprays or fewer ideal for them, producing the desired effects without any undesired ones (such as too much numbness).

When using a delay spray, there are certain things you should avoid. For some of them, it’s clear from the outset how to avoid the mistake. For others, trial and error is the way to go.

Mistake #1: Not waiting long enough after spraying.

You must follow the instructions for using the delay spray. You should wait up to 15 minutes or until the product has absorbed and your penis is dry. This is important for two reasons:

1. The spray won’t be effective unless you wait for it to absorb into the skin.
2. If you don’t wait, the spray may also affect your partner, causing unintended numbness. That is not the goal here.

Mistake #2: Focusing the spray in the wrong places or not focusing on particular areas at all.

One of the great benefits of delay spray, as opposed to some other treatment methods of the past, is the ability to focus the effect only where it matters most. For men hoping to last longer during sex, the two areas where you should apply the spray are:

• The glans (head) of the penis, specifically the underside of it
• The frenulum (the small flap of skin extending from the underside of the glans to the beginning of the shaft)

Many men find that a single spray directly to the frenulum and underside area of the glans is enough to do the trick perfectly.

Mistake #3: Using too much spray.

Lots of men start by using too much of the delay spray. There are big reasons why this is a significant mistake:

• You are likely wasting product and money.
• You risk going too numb to enjoy sex and could potentially lose your erection because of it.
• Too much lidocaine or benzocaine can be absorbed into the bloodstream and cause adverse reactions, but too little anesthetic is likely present in these bottles to pose a severe threat.

For many men, there is also such a thing as too little delay spray. Lots of men only need one spray or two at most, but some require three or more. This can also vary depending on the product you choose, as described earlier. (Note: Companies do not recommend more than ten sprays.)

Whether you suffer from an allergy to topical anesthetics or you don’t feel that the waiting period for a delay spray to take effect will suit your sex life, there are plenty of interesting alternatives to delay spray. Many are adequate for some men, while others might fall short.

Delay wipes

As mentioned above, delay wipes work much like sprays, but their anesthetic comes pre-soaked into a moist towelette. These are highly portable and reliable products. However, they may be too similar for men seeking an alternative to sprays, especially considering they contain the same or similar active ingredients. Promescent, Hims, Roman, and VigRX all offer delay wipes. Of the lot, Promescent has the best prices, and we rated them best overall in our extensive guide to PE wipes.

Prescription medication

Orgasm science is a complex field, combining physiological factors with deep-rooted psychological factors. Some prescription medications offer practitioners a way to treat patients that tackles both aspects simultaneously.

Perhaps the most common prescription intended to treat PE is for an antidepressant, specifically a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).19 SSRIs are an enormously popular class of antidepressants, allowing additional serotonin to circulate in the bloodstream. As such, there are several prominent brand names offering SSRIs. In clinical research, paroxetine, the generic form of Paxil, has been shown to have the greatest impact on PE.20

You can currently get a paroxetine prescription through Hims, which is the only notable provider aside from Roman to offer both SSRIs and OTC delay products. Like Hims, Roman offers an SSRI and wipes but does not carry a spray.

Kegels

Once thought of as exercises exclusive to women, kegels can provide men with significant sexual and urological support. Kegels are strengthening exercises done to improve the strength of the pelvic floor muscles. If you’ve ever had to stop urinating mid-stream, you know what it feels like to engage these muscles.

Kegel sets containing regular, long-held contractions of the pelvic floor muscles — alternating with fast-contracting sets — show promise in some studies to increase sexual performance.21 There is also evidence that such exercises can help with urinary incontinence or leakage.22

Ultimately, we support kegel exercises, but since they require time and effort, we think you would do best to combine them with a delay spray if you don’t have any allergies to worry about.

Numbing condoms and lubricant

There are condoms and lubricants on the market that contain numbing agents similar to those found in delay sprays. These may seem extremely convenient at first, especially if you don’t feel like waiting very long to engage in intercourse. But these products often contain higher concentrations of their anesthetics in the hopes that they’ll start working faster. What’s more, both products are likely to spread some of that numbing effect to your partner, significantly reducing their pleasure.

There are condoms out there designed to reduce sensation simply by being thicker than usual. These are fine as far as we’re concerned, but for monogamous relationships in which you and your partner have decided not to use condoms, they would likely be a hindrance.

Prostate massage

While a taboo subject for some, prostate massage — sometimes called prostate milking — has the potential to reduce premature ejaculation problems, particularly when those problems are associated with an enlarged prostate.23 That’s because the massaging action itself and the specific type of orgasm that prostate massage causes can reduce the size of an enlarged prostate.24

That makes prostate massage an advisable course of action for men suffering from premature ejaculation or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). And among the many treatments for either affliction, few are likely to be as pleasurable.

That said, there are precautions you and your partner should take, whether you perform the massage alone or with their help. You’ll want to ensure that your bowels are clear and as clean as you can safely get them and that you use an effective lubricant. The tissue of the anus is both sensitive and fragile, so go slowly and be gentle.