New drug for the treatment of premature ejaculation

As many as one in three men suffer from premature ejaculation (PE) at some point in their life. A new prescription drug, Priligy, may help alleviate the effects of this sexual dysfunction, at least for PE sufferers who live in the UK.

If taken 1 to 3 hours before sex, Priligy can make a man last 2 to 3 times longer during intercourse. With that said, the average time gained is only two minutes. This may not seem like much, but it makes a world of difference for men who often climax in under a minute.

The drug works by regulating serotonin levels in the brain and has been proven to increase control of one’s ejaculations for up to 24 hours. The major downfall is the price. A three pack of 30 mg tablets costs around $116 US dollars. The drug has already gone on sale in other European nations and now will be available in the UK for men 18 to 62.

Johnson & Johnson will sell the drug over the internet to patients who complete an online consultation with a doctor. This online process will make it easier for men who feel uncomfortable discussing the problem in person with their doctor to address their sexual dysfunction. It may also make it easier for women posing as their PE suffering partners to order the drug.

“Priligy has the potential to do as much for men’s sexual health as Viagra,” said Nitin Makadia, head of male sexual health at U.K.’s leading pharmacy, Lloydspharmacy. “It will give sufferers a chance to improve the quality of their relationships and their general well-being.”

Priligy has yet to be approved for sale in the United States. For now American men with PE will have to rely on the standard climax-prolonging techniques: thinking of boner-killing images (like penis guillotines) , using condoms to dull the sensation, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, and lathering their members in topical numbing agents.