Does Viagra make you last longer?

Viagra (sildenafil) may help you last longer in bed if getting or maintaining an erection is your challenge. While Viagra is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), some healthcare providers may prescribe it off-label for premature ejaculation (PE). Results are mixed, though.

Viagra (sildenafil) may help some people last longer in bed, but the evidence is mixed. While a few small studies suggest a possible benefit, others show limited or inconsistent effects.

It’s important to note that Viagra is not FDA-approved for premature ejaculation, but healthcare providers may prescribe it off-label for PE in some cases.

Viagra may help some men last longer during sex, particularly by improving erection quality and allowing intercourse to continue, rather than by directly delaying ejaculation. Studies on using sildenafil for PE show mixed results. 

• One study found that men with PE who took 50 mg of sildenafil as needed had longer-lasting penetration, greater satisfaction with sex, and greater frequency of intercourse compared with men trying the squeeze technique or paroxetine. 

• Another study showed those who took Viagra vs. a placebo had very slightly longer-lasting penetration. Men who took Viagra did experience increased confidence and overall sexual satisfaction, and even experienced a shorter refractory period (the time it takes to get another erection after ejaculation). 

Overall, there is some evidence that Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors (the drug class Viagra belongs to) can improve the sexual experience of men with PE, but the results aren’t consistent, which is probably why Viagra is not FDA-approved for the treatment of PE. 

It’s also important to note that PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra tend to be most helpful for premature ejaculation symptoms in those who have ED and  PE (though some studies suggest a possible benefit even without ED). 

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Viagra can only make you last longer primarily if difficulty getting or maintaining an erection is your main issue. In that case, it can make it easier to get and keep a firmer erection for up to about 4–6 hours after taking it. 

This doesn’t mean you’ll stay hard the entire time. It just means that during that window, achieving and maintaining an erection is easier with sexual stimulation. (If you ever have an erection that lasts longer than four hours, seek emergency medical care right away). 

If PE is your only concern, and not ED as well, Viagra may not do much to delay ejaculation, though some studies suggest a possible benefit even without ED.  

Yes, there’s some evidence that Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors can help with PE, particularly when combined with other treatments.

• A 2023 study found that combining Viagra with the pain reliever tramadol increased how long men lasted before ejaculation and improved sexual satisfaction. While the placebo group also lasted longer, only those receiving active treatment reported improved satisfaction. The study was relatively small, however.

• A systematic review found that PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil were more effective than placebo at increasing how long men lasted after penetration before ejaculating, and that combining sildenafil with an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor — a type of antidepressant), such as paroxetine, was more effective than an SSRI alone. However, the evidence is mixed, and study quality varies.

Rather than directly changing ejaculation timing or how sensitive the penis is, Viagra may help with PE by improving erection quality and lowering performance-related stress, which can allow intercourse to continue more comfortably and predictably.

Why isn’t Viagra meant to treat premature ejaculation? 

Viagra isn’t FDA-approved for treating premature ejaculation because it was developed and tested to treat erectile dysfunction, so it hasn’t gone through the large clinical trials that would be required to prove it works for PE. 

That said, healthcare providers may still prescribe Viagra off-label for premature ejaculation if they believe it could help. Prescribing a medication off-label is common and legal when it’s based on clinical judgment.

While some studies suggest Viagra may help with PE by improving erection quality, ejaculatory control, or confidence during sex, the results have been mixed and not consistent enough to support FDA approval for PE just yet.

Many factors surrounding your general overall health also affect sexual stamina, including:

• Your physical activity levels: Being physically active and exercising regularly is linked to better sexual function, including erectile function. Plus, being physically fit will help prevent you from getting worn out during sex. 

• Your sleep quality: Poor sleep and sleep disorders can contribute to ED, and being tired can leave you with less energy for sex.  

• Your smoking habits: Smoking is linked to worse sexual health, affecting both erectile function and libido. Early evidence shows vaping may have a similarly negative effect on erectile function.

• Your drinking habits: Heavy drinking (especially in those with alcohol use disorder) may be linked to premature ejaculation. And heavy drinking could make it hard for you to get an erection at all (a phenomenon sometimes called “whiskey dick”).

Like any medication, taking Viagra (whether for ED or off-label for PE) can come with a risk of side effects and potentially dangerous drug interactions.

Common side effects of Viagra include:

• Headaches

• Facial flushing 

• Dizziness

• Upset stomach

• Stuffy or runny nose

• Muscle aches 

• Back pain

• Changes in vision (seeing a blue tinge or increased sensitivity to light)

• Rash

If you’re taking a higher dose of Viagra, your risk of side effects may be higher.

There are also some rarer and more serious potential side effects of Viagra. If you experience any of these, seek immediate medical attention: 

• Priapism, which is a painful erection lasting more than four hours

• Sudden vision loss (in one or both eyes)

• Sudden decrease or loss of hearing, which may be accompanied by ringing in your ears or dizziness

It’s also important to know about serious drug interactions. It is not safe to take Viagra with nitrate medications or recreational nitrates (aka "poppers”) because these combinations could lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Viagra can also interact with certain HIV medications and antifungal medications. 

This list is not inclusive. That’s why it’s so important to let your healthcare provider know about all the medications you take so they can ensure Viagra is safe for you to try. 

Yes, there are many options that may help you last longer. These include over-the-counter or off-label prescription medications, behavioral techniques, sex therapy, and lifestyle changes. The right approach depends on what’s contributing to the issue and what feels comfortable and effective for you.

1. The squeeze method

With this technique, you begin sexual activity and continue until you feel close to ejaculating. At that point, you or your partner gently squeeze the penis where the head (glans) meets the shaft. Hold the squeeze for a few seconds. This can temporarily reduce the urge to ejaculate and allow you to continue sexual activity.

2. The stop-start method

Also known as "edging," you can practice the stop-start method with a partner or alone. Masturbate or continue sexual activity until you feel like you're about to ejaculate, then pause. When the urge to ejaculate passes, resume stimulation. 

With practice, this technique can help you recognize when you’re nearing the “point of no return” and gradually improve control, which may help you last longer during sex.

3. Numbing condoms, wipes, or creams

Some condoms, wipes, and creams contain numbing agents such as lidocaine or benzocaine. By slightly reducing sensation, these products may help some people last longer during sex and they are considered a first-line option for PE. Over-the-counter anesthetic creams work in a similar way.

It’s a good idea to talk with a healthcare provider before trying these products to make sure they’re appropriate for you. When using wipes or creams, follow the instructions carefully and allow the product to fully dry before sexual contact, to avoid accidentally numbing your partner as well.

4. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) 

Some SSRIs, such as paroxetine and sertraline, can cause a side effect of delayed orgasm or difficulty reaching orgasm. 

For people with PE, this effect can sometimes be an advantage. Studies suggest that SSRIs like sertraline, the active ingredient in Zoloft, may increase the time to ejaculation and improve sexual satisfaction in some men. Because of this, SSRIs are sometimes prescribed off-label to help manage premature ejaculation. Keep in mind, though, that SSRIs can take a few weeks to see their full effect and may contribute to side effects including lowered libido.

5. Sex therapy

A sex therapist may be able to help you if you experience premature ejaculation related to:

• Performance anxiety

• General anxiety surrounding sex

• Lack of confidence

• Low self-esteem

A sex-positive therapist or counselor can help you address the source of your anxiety and provide helpful exercises or tips for you to try both in and out of the bedroom. 

6. Sex without penetration    

Intimacy doesn’t have to center on penetration. Exploring other ways to connect with your partner, such as oral sex, manual stimulation, toys, or focusing on other erogenous zones, can be just as satisfying for both of you.

Despite what TV and movies often suggest, sex doesn’t have to end with penile ejaculation. While premature ejaculation can feel frustrating, it doesn’t mean intimacy has to stop. Shifting the focus can help reduce pressure and keep sex enjoyable for both partners.

7. Lifestyle changes 

Making healthy lifestyle changes can improve ED symptoms, which may also help you last longer during sex. Examples include:

• Eating a balanced diet. Nutritious eating can lower the risk of conditions linked to ED, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Aim for a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

• Getting regular exercise. Physical activity supports healthy blood circulation and helps maintain normal blood pressure, both of which play a role in getting and keeping an erection.

• Prioritizing sleep. Consistently getting too little sleep has been linked to a higher risk of ED. Most adults benefit from 7–9 hours of sleep per night, which can support hormone balance, energy levels, and sexual function.

Research suggests that penis-in-vagina sex typically lasts about 3–7 minutes on average (current sexual research is, sadly, highly cis- and heteronormative). That said, there’s no single “right” length of time. How long sex should last depends on what feels satisfying for you and your partner. Here are a couple of sample studies:

• A 2005 study of sex therapists gave a Goldilocks answer: They believed 1–2 minutes was too short, and 10–30 minutes was too long, while 3–7 minutes was rated as “desirable”. 

• Another 2005 study (2005 was apparently a big year for sex research) timed intercourse with a stopwatch across 500 heterosexual couples from five countries and found penis-in-vagina sex lasted anywhere from 33 seconds to 44 minutes. The international average was 3–7 minutes, with 5.4 minutes being the precise median. 

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Viagra can help you last longer in bed if the issue is getting and maintaining an erection. But it doesn’t directly treat premature ejaculation, which is a separate condition. Here’s what you should know:

• Viagra does not specifically treat premature ejaculation, which is a separate condition from erectile dysfunction (though they sometimes overlap).

• Some men report lasting longer when using Viagra, which may be because it improves erection quality and reduces performance-related anxiety rather than directly delaying ejaculation. 

• Research is mixed: A few small studies suggest a potential benefit, particularly in combination with other treatments (like SSRIs, which are also often prescribed off-label for PE). That being said, Viagra is still not an FDA-approved treatment for premature ejaculation.

If lasting longer is your main concern, it's best to talk to a healthcare provider or reach out to a provider at Ro about the best treatment options for you.