Men who suffer from premature ejaculation could be helped by a spray that may become the first approved treatment for the condition in the U.S.
Trial volunteers who used the anaesthetic spray lasted five times longer during sex than they did when given a placebo treatment.
The spray, known as PSD502, is made from of a combination of two sensation-numbing drugs.
Results of a study involving 256 men suffering from premature ejaculation (PE) in the U.S., Canada and Poland were published today.
It showed that administering the spray five minutes before intercourse delayed ejaculation by up to five times.
The men also reported improved levels of control and sexual satisfaction and reduced stress.
Lead researcher Professor Stanley Althof, from the Centre for Marital and Sexual Health of South Florida in West Palm Beach, U.S., said: 'Premature ejaculation can have a powerful negative impact on the emotional and sexual lives of men and their partners.
'Recently, the international sexual health community agreed that PE should be defined as ejaculation occurring within approximately one minute of penetration that causes the patient distress.
'Now we need to work to develop treatments, and these encouraging results with PSD502 seem to be a step in the right direction.'
The study was revealed at the annual meeting of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America in San Diego.
Patrick Fourteau, chief executive of Sciele Pharma Inc - which manufactures the spray - said the company would now apply for a new drug licence from U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
He said: 'FDA approval would make PSD502 the first prescription treatment in the U.S. for premature ejaculation.'
An estimated one third of U.S. men aged 18 to 59 are affected by premature ejaculation.
Trial volunteers who used the anaesthetic spray lasted five times longer during sex than they did when given a placebo treatment.
The spray, known as PSD502, is made from of a combination of two sensation-numbing drugs.
A new anaesthetic spray developed in the U.S. could help men suffering from premature ejaculation last five times longer during sex (posed by models)
Results of a study involving 256 men suffering from premature ejaculation (PE) in the U.S., Canada and Poland were published today.
It showed that administering the spray five minutes before intercourse delayed ejaculation by up to five times.
The men also reported improved levels of control and sexual satisfaction and reduced stress.
Lead researcher Professor Stanley Althof, from the Centre for Marital and Sexual Health of South Florida in West Palm Beach, U.S., said: 'Premature ejaculation can have a powerful negative impact on the emotional and sexual lives of men and their partners.
'Recently, the international sexual health community agreed that PE should be defined as ejaculation occurring within approximately one minute of penetration that causes the patient distress.
'Now we need to work to develop treatments, and these encouraging results with PSD502 seem to be a step in the right direction.'
The study was revealed at the annual meeting of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America in San Diego.
Patrick Fourteau, chief executive of Sciele Pharma Inc - which manufactures the spray - said the company would now apply for a new drug licence from U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
He said: 'FDA approval would make PSD502 the first prescription treatment in the U.S. for premature ejaculation.'
An estimated one third of U.S. men aged 18 to 59 are affected by premature ejaculation.