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8 Best Delay Condoms to Sidestep Premature Ejaculation and Make Sex Last Longer
Go harder, better, faster, longer with our pick of the best climax control condoms
With the number of premature ejaculation cases worldwide set to hit 322 million by 2025, it's no surprise Google searches for facts, stats and remedies relating to the condition are on the up.
Yep, 44 per cent of Brits admit their relationship has been impacted by speedy sprints to the finish line — hence why our interest in the little blue pill and natural alternatives doesn't seem to be wavering.
But did you know that there are condoms specifically designed to help you slow how long it takes to blow your load?
From what causes premature ejaculation (PE), to how so-called 'delay condoms' work, plus our review of some of the best rubbers on the market, here our in-house sex writer shares everything you need to know.
Best Delay Condoms to Shop Now
What is Premature Ejaculation?
Premature ejaculation is a relative term, so while some couples might enjoy marathon sex sessions every night of the week, others might prefer sex to be over in a sprint. However, international guidelines define the condition as regularly ejaculating within one minute of entering your partner.
'Premature ejaculation occurs when a man ejaculates quicker than he or his partner would like during sex,' says Danielle Brightman, clinical lead at digital health clinic for men, Numan. 'There is no set amount of time for how long sex should last, but ejaculating quicker than desired is a common occurrence and can usually be easily treated.'
The best way to gauge if your ejaculatory speed is impacting your relationship is to talk about it. If you bust a nut before your partner is able to achieve enjoyment from sex then it’s probably time to consider your options.
What Causes Premature Ejaculation?
There are two types of premature ejaculation. Primary PE is diagnosed if you've always had the problem, whereas secondary PE — sometimes known as acquired premature ejaculation — is when the condition develops later in life.
According to the NHS, primary premature ejaculation is often caused by psychological factors, such as having a traumatic sexual experience at an early age. Secondary premature ejaculation, however, can be caused by both psychological and physical factors, including depression, stress or inflammation of the prostate.
'There are several causes of premature ejaculation including psychological factors, such as sexual performance anxiety or depression, and physical factors, such as hormone abnormalities, thyroid problems or prostate issues,' says Brightman. 'If you are unsure about the cause, it’s very important to book an appointment with a GP, so you can get to the root of the issue.'
What Are Delay Condoms?
Simply put, delay condoms are contraceptive sheaths that are designed to reduce sensation in order to slow ejaculation. They tend to be thicker and often contain a desensitising lubricant that numbs your penis.
If you think you might have an underlying health condition then you should definitely seek medical advice. But if you simply need to work on your staying power, a long-lasting condom might just fix it.
The Types of Delay Condom
Long-lasting condoms typically fall into three categories:
1. Extended Pleasure Condoms
These tend to be thicker than traditional johnnies in order to reduce stimulation. ‘Many people with premature ejaculation experience it because the sensation is overstimulating during penetrative sex,’ says men’s health specialist Dr Jeff Foster.
‘By placing a barrier in the way, such as an extended pleasure condom, it reduces this stimulation and allows for a longer time until reaching orgasm.’
2. Delay Condoms
Delay condoms, also known as long-lasting condoms, are lined with a lubricant that contains active ingredients such as benzocaine or lidocaine. 'This works as a local anaesthetic and slightly numbs the penis to reduce overstimulation,’ explains Brightman.
These are perfectly safe to use and desensitise the tip of the penis temporarily, but if you are concerned then have a practice run on your own to see how it feels.
Alternatively, you could try a delay spray, a gently numbing formula that works along the same lines. But you will still need to use a condom for protection from STIs and to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
3. Mutual Pleasure Condoms
These incorporate the same numbing lubricant as delay condoms in order to slow you down, but also have a ribbed or dotted exterior for the receiver's satisfaction.
If you're not sure what might work for you, shop around and experiment until you find the condom that fits. ‘You really want to aim for a condom that is thicker, so literally provides less of a natural sensation — so something like a max protection one,’ adds Dr Foster. ‘Aim for condoms with a thicker barrier, decreased sensation, decreased friction and less overall stimulation.’
8 Best Delay Condoms for 2024
Rhalou is a senior digital editor specialising in health and wellness with over fifteen years’ online and print publishing experience.
Rhalou has worked for various health platforms including Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Runner’s World, Netdoctor, Women’s Running, Men’s Running, The Running Bug and Women’s Fitness.
Covering everything from sexual health to fitness, parenting, marathon running and self-care, Rhalou loves creating fun and accessible lifestyle content and feels strongly about demystifying complex medical jargon and empowering people to better understand their health.
Previously, Rhalou was a freelance social media specialist for several major sporting events and race listings including The London Marathon, Breca Swimrun, Findarace, The Westminster Mile and Prudential Ride 100. She has also been a reporter on a local newspaper in remote Scotland, penning breaking news stories about killer otters, cats stuck up trees and the Scottish hill racing scene.
Over the years, Rhalou has been lucky enough to run 15 marathons and even a few ultra-marathons. She is still a passionate runner, but these days she can mostly be found at her local parkrun or chasing after her young son.
Sophie Donovan is the Sex and Relationships Senior Ecommerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health and Men’s Health. Sophie is passionate about everything sexual wellness, offering her readers honest reviews on vibrators, BDSM for beginners, sex essentials like lube and condoms, plus feminine hygiene products such as period pants. She also spends her working week quizzing sexperts on their top tips for a satisfying sex life.
Sophie’s journalism career began in 2019 when she completed News Associates’ 22-week NCTJ fast-track Multimedia Journalism course and was awarded a Gold Standard Diploma. Accepting a place on The Sun’s Trainee Scheme, she gained experience on the newspaper’s print Showbiz, Production and Fabulous Magazine teams. After completing the graduate programme, she worked for Dear Deidre, where her role included publishing a weekly advice column offering sex, financial and mental health support, plus assisting with the launch of the brand’s Instagram page and first podcast series.
Outside of work, Sophie can either be found working on her love/hate relationship with running or dragging her friends to yet another F45 class. You can follow Sophie on Instagram @soph_don / @sextingthecity.
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