How to Last Longer in Bed
"Lasting longer" means one of two different problems, and they have different fixes:
- Keeping an erection long enough. That's erectile dysfunction (ED), and ED pills work well for it.
- Finishing sooner than you want. That's premature ejaculation (PE). ED pills aren't the main treatment; techniques, numbing products and prescription SSRIs are.
Some men have both. Working out which one you're dealing with is the first step, and it's what an online clinician will ask about.
If the problem is keeping an erection
All four FDA-approved ED pills (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, avanafil) make erections easier to get and keep when you're aroused. For "lasting longer", tadalafil (Cialis) is the usual pick: one dose works for up to 36 hours, and a low daily dose (2.5–5 mg) means you don't plan around a pill at all.
| Window after a dose | Generic price through telehealth | |
|---|---|---|
| Sildenafil (Viagra) | Up to about 4 hours | Among the cheapest prescriptions online |
| Tadalafil (Cialis) | Up to 36 hours, or daily | Similar to sildenafil |
None of them should be taken with nitrates. More on doses and side effects in our ED pills comparison.
If the problem is finishing too soon
Techniques (free, and worth trying first)
- Stop-start. Stop stimulation just before the point of no return, wait until the urge passes, then continue. Repeat a few times.
- Squeeze. Same idea, but you or a partner firmly squeeze the head of the penis for several seconds when you're close.
- Pelvic floor exercises. Strengthening these muscles (Kegels) helps some men delay ejaculation after a few weeks of daily practice.
These take practice, and they work best combined with the options below.
Numbing sprays, wipes and condoms (over the counter)
Lidocaine sprays and wipes, and condoms lined with benzocaine, reduce sensitivity. Apply them a few minutes before sex as the package directs. Too much can cause numbness or trouble keeping an erection, and unless you use a condom, it can numb a partner too, so wipe off any excess.
Prescription SSRIs (off-label)
No drug is FDA-approved for premature ejaculation in the US. Clinicians commonly prescribe SSRI antidepressants off-label because delayed ejaculation is one of their side effects:
- Daily: paroxetine, sertraline or fluoxetine at low doses. Most effective, but takes a week or more to build up.
- On demand: taken a few hours before sex. Less effective than daily dosing but fewer side effects.
Side effects can include nausea, tiredness and lower sex drive. SSRIs carry a boxed warning about suicidal thoughts in people under 25, and you shouldn't stop a daily SSRI abruptly. A clinician will check for interactions, including with ED pills.
If you have both
The American Urological Association's guideline and others suggest treating ED first when both are present. Men who are anxious about losing their erection often rush to finish, so fixing the erection can ease the premature ejaculation too.
What to skip
"Natural" sexual enhancement pills sold in gas stations and online are a gamble: the FDA has found hundreds of them contain hidden prescription drugs at unknown doses. See are gas station sex pills safe? for why, and what real generics cost instead.
Getting treated online
Telehealth services can prescribe ED pills, and many also treat premature ejaculation, after an online visit. Compare them in our best online ED services ranking. Generic tadalafil prices from our database:
Tadalafil pricing today
Live from our price database and updated by our own price checks. These are today’s prices, not the prices on the date of this article.
| Brand | Plan | Price/mo | Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hims & Hers | Tadalafil (generic Cialis) | $11–$44 | Consults · Shipping |
 Lemonaid Health | Daily Tadalafil | $30–$90 | Consults · Shipping |
| MyDrHank | Generic Tadalafil (as-needed / daily) | $30–$49 | Consults · Shipping |
 MadeMed | Tadalafil | $30–$90 | Consults · Shipping |
| Viking Man | Generic Tadalafil | $30–$90 | Shipping |
 TelyRx | Generic Tadalafil | $33.99 | — |
| Rex MD | Daily Tadalafil | $39–$69 | Consults · Shipping |
 Strut Health | Tadalafil | $39–$69 | Consults · Shipping |
Prices shown are based on our most recent research and may not reflect current pricing. Telehealth providers update their pricing frequently. Always verify pricing directly with the provider before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best pill to last longer in bed?
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It depends on the problem. If you lose your erection, an ED pill helps, and tadalafil (Cialis) has the longest window, up to 36 hours. If you finish too quickly, ED pills aren't the main treatment; clinicians may prescribe an SSRI such as paroxetine or sertraline off-label, or suggest a numbing spray.
Do numbing sprays work for premature ejaculation?
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They can. Lidocaine sprays and wipes, and condoms with benzocaine, reduce sensitivity and are sold over the counter in the US. Apply them as the package says, and wipe off any excess or use a condom so a partner doesn't go numb too.
Is there an FDA-approved pill for premature ejaculation?
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No. In the US, no drug is FDA-approved for premature ejaculation. Dapoxetine is approved in some other countries but not here. US clinicians prescribe SSRIs such as paroxetine, sertraline or fluoxetine off-label.
Can Viagra help you last longer?
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It helps you keep an erection, and some men with both ED and premature ejaculation find they rush less once they aren't worried about losing it. It doesn't directly delay ejaculation. Clinicians often treat ED first when both are present.
What is premature ejaculation, medically?
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Ejaculating before you or your partner want, regularly, with distress about it. Lifelong premature ejaculation is usually defined as ejaculation within about 1 minute of penetration nearly every time. Many men finish faster now and then; that alone isn't a condition.
Do supplements help you last longer?
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There's little good evidence that they do, and 'natural' sexual enhancement products sold in gas stations and online have repeatedly been found to contain hidden prescription drugs. See our guide on gas station sex pills.
Sources
Medical disclaimer:This guide is for general information and isn't medical advice. Talk to a licensed clinician about your own situation before starting, stopping or changing any treatment.