A new device launched in Australia promises to help men who 'finish too quickly'.
A new device launched in Australia promises to help men who 'finish too quickly'.
WARNING: Graphic content
Premature ejaculation is the most common type of male sexual dysfunction, with recent studies suggesting it affects up to 30 per cent of Australian men.
Today a new $300 device designed to help men last longer in bed launched on the Australian market. The device has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and is now available online.
Prolong is a small plastic vibrating "cup" designed for use by men during masturbation as part of a six-week "controlled climax" programme, news.com.au reports.
"Men are instructed to use the 'stop-start' technique over a period of six weeks," the creator of the device, London Psychiatry Centre founder and psychiatrist Dr Andy Zamar told news.com.au.
"This works to reduce oversensitivity during sex and empowers men with greater control over their ejaculation."
The device is placed underneath the penis during masturbation. Photo / Supplied
If you're confused about how that tiny little cup actually works, we asked Dr Zamar for step-by-step instructions on how Prolong should be used.
"With a small amount of lube under the head of the penis, users place the device in their hand, studded side up. The device is then placed just below the head of the penis on the underside," he said.
"The user then gently massages the penis using the device. This represents the 'start' of the start-stop technique.
"When the user is about to climax, the device is removed. This is the 'stop' component of the 'start-stop' technique and it's important to not allow ejaculation at this stage.
"This 'start-stop' process is repeated three times in total, then on the third time the user is free to ejaculate if they wish. This process is repeated three times a week for six weeks."
Dr Zamar designed the device to be used by men when alone — although it can be used during intercourse — because many men feel too ashamed to talk about premature ejaculation with their partners.
"We know from our research that males can feel uncomfortable discussing sexual issues such as premature ejaculation with their partner or doctor, so this program is a great way to treat the condition in private, without anyone knowing," Dr Zamar said.
The company behind the device, InnovaDerma, claims Prolong can help delay time to ejaculation from 48 seconds to eight minutes and 48 seconds.
"One clinical trial used the Prolong program in 58 subjects, and was found to delay time to ejaculation from 48 seconds (0.8 minutes) to 8 minutes and 48 seconds (8.8 minutes) on average in 61 per cent of men," the company said in a statement.
"In another clinical trial, participants using Prolong achieved a median increase in time to ejaculation of 3 minutes. In a third trial conducted in Finland, 11 highly resistant lifelong sufferers of PE [premature ejaculation] aged on average 49 years old used the Prolong program. Participants had previously failed to respond to or could not tolerate multiple drug treatments. Out of the 11 subjects, eight improved and maintained their improvement or improved further at six months."
Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand spokesman Professor Eric Chung said the idea of desensitising the penis glands was a recognised way to treat premature ejaculation.
"The key to the device is desensitising the penis glands," Professor Chung told news.com.au.
"You want to get the patient excited, but at the same time teach them how to control that excitement. The device helps them understand how to control their excitement and decrease stimulation once they arrive at a certain level."
He said there are no long term risks associated with using the device.
"Patients should use a gel lubricator so you don't get any abrasion on the penis. You don't want to overdo it or do it without the use of lubrication," he said.
"With more vibration and stimulation, there is a chance you could desensitise the glands where ejaculation may be delayed. So that's a possible side-effect."
Premature ejaculation is a condition shrouded in shame and embarrassment, Prof Chung said, but advised men suffering to seek professional medical assistance.
"They still need to seek appropriate advice from a medical practitioner to understand all their different options," he said.
