by Maria Teresa Ungson
LAST week the female Viagra was featured in this column. It was good news for women who are experiencing lack of libido. This week we are featuring another good news but this time it’s for men! Well, actually the women will equally love what it can do for men! Ohhh….wouldn’t men just love a woman whisper in their ear the phrase …umm babe nobody does it better … Though there are men who are really exceptional in bed there is always hope for others specially if the problem is staying power during sex! An experimental penis spray, applied five minutes before sex, helps men overcome premature ejaculation, new studies confirm.
The spray, dubbed PSD502, contains the anesthetics lidocaine and prilocaine. But it doesn’t deaden feeling, thanks to an ingredient in the spray that allows it to rapidly penetrate the skin, says Ira Sharlip, MD, clinical professor of urology a the University of California, San Francisco.
M“It rarely causes a decrease in sensation in the penis because it is absorbed so quickly,” says Sharlip. “In men using the product, the incidence of penile anesthesia is 1% or 2%.”
The drug also seems safe for men’s female sex partners. Only about 0.5% of female partners report decreased feeling in the vagina.
“There is some burning sensation in the vagina in about 5% of partners,” Sharlip says. “It infrequently causes problems in female partners because it is absorbed so quickly there is little left on the skin. The risk of transfer is small.”
MThe studies show that men using PSD502 are able to delay ejaculation about five times longer. Sharlip’s study found that men who ejaculated an average 36 seconds after vaginal penetration were able to delay ejaculation for over three minutes after one month of PSD502 treatment, and for three minutes and 42 seconds after three months of treatment.
The findings confirm those of a previous study reported earlier this year.
Premature ejaculation isn’t just a problem for young, inexperienced teens. Sharlip says it affects some 20% to 30% of men of all ages.
“A lot of men with PE just struggle and are very unhappy, although not everyone who has PE is unhappy about it. But many men are very disturbed and distressed by it,” Sharlip says.
Many men suffering premature ejaculation are unable to delay ejaculation for much more than half a minute. Some are unable delay long enough to achieve vaginal penetration, making it difficult for them to father children.
Current treatments include off-label use of SSRI antidepressants, as delayed ejaculation is a common side effect of these drugs. But the drugs must either be taken daily — increasing the risk of side effects — or taken three to six hours in advance of sexual activity. “Sex is not always that predictable,” Sharlip says.
There are also topical preparations. One that is commonly used is EMLA cream, which, like PSD502, contains lidocaine and prilocaine. However, EMLA must be used with a condom or washed off prior to sex.
“I think PSD502 will attract a lot of men particularly because it has a very rapid onset of action,” Sharlip says. “You put this stuff on and in five minutes you have an effect.”
Sharlip says that based on the studies reported, he hopes PSD502 will become available in a little more than a year’s time. Yes! That would be truly gratifying for couples who will benefit from this spray.
