Spray that can make sex last longer developed, for sale in U.K.

New drug can help nine in 10 men who suffer from premature ejaculation, clinical trials show
First there was the little blue pill that revolutionised millions of relationships around the world.

Now the man who helped invent Viagra is on a mission to help men suffering from another problem between the sheets.

Professor Mike Wyllie, one of the team of scientists who developed Viagra in the 1990s, has created a drug to treat premature ejaculation – and he claims it could help men last up to 10 times longer in the bedroom.

Available from today, the spray-on medication could help up to nine in ten of those suffering from the condition.

The Fortacin spray contains low doses of two anaesthetics. These reduce the sensitivity, lowering it to a normal level, Professor Wyllie said.

Up to 40 per cent of men suffer from premature ejaculation – defined by the International Society of Sexual Medicine as ejaculation ‘within a minute’ – at some point in their lives.

The condition, which mainly affects those between the ages of 18 and 60, is actually more common than erectile dysfunction, for which Viagra can be a solution.

In trials, men who used the spray, called Fortacin, ahead of sex lasted on average five times longer. This was after three months of use.

Wyllie claims that after nine months, the average duration of intercourse had gone from under one minute to the normal average of eight-10 minutes – an increase of up to 10 times.

“A big part of this is because a man’s confidence increased and the whole experience became less stressful,” he said.

As a result, both men and women understandably reported feeling more satisfied with their sex life.

Professor Wyllie, formerly of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and now of small British biotech firm Plethora Solutions, said: “Premature ejaculation has a devastating effect on relationships. It can really destroy lives – to the point where some men commit suicide. He added: “It may not be talked about as much as erectile dysfunction, but there’s no doubt can cause the same level of distress for both a man and his partner.” The exact causes are unclear but it is thought over-sensitivity is part of the problem.