Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAverageMale EjaculationFemale OrgasmLasting Longer
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Table of Contents
Average
Male Ejaculation
Female Orgasm
Lasting Longer
If you’re wondering how long sex should last, you might be worried about your performance or your partners’ performance. Research shows that penetrative sex lasts for minutes, about 5.4 minutes on average.However, there’s no one average sex time or intercourse duration that can make your sex life good or not good. In addition, there are lots ofdifferent ways to be intimateand prolong sexual connection without penetration.Continue reading to learn more about how long sex is, and what to do if you or your partner isn’t satisfied with your sex life.A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.How Long Sex Lasts on AverageUnsurprisingly, research on the average time to have sex lasts lacking. Even the definition can be tricky, since sex can include penetrative sex, oral sex, masturbation, and other acts. Still, it can be helpful to have some number to give context to how long sex should last.A Word From VerywellSexual satisfaction isn’t about a stopwatch, but about communication, connection, and mutual enjoyment. It’s not about how long you “last,” but about the quality of the experience and the fulfillment of both partners. Open dialogue about sexual needs and desires is key to understanding if you’re meeting your partner’s expectations.—SOMA MANDAL, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARDPenetrationOne 2005 study, which included only 500 couples, found that penis-in-vagina sex lasts for 5.4 minutes on average before the male partner ejaculates. Wearing a condom, or being uncircumcised, did not make the sex last longer, the study found.A 2008 study of sex therapists found that penetrative sex lasting for three to 13 minutes is normal.Medically, doctors will diagnose premature ejaculation if a man ejaculates within two minutes of starting penetrative sex.Delayed ejaculationis diagnosed if a man ejaculates after 22 minutes or more of penetrative sex.What About Foreplay and Other Definitions of Sex?Of course, there’s a lot more that goes into sex than penetration, and not all couples have penetrative sex. Foreplay—which we’ll define as non-penetrative sexual touch—is a great way tocreate better intimacy, and help sex last longer. Despite its name, it doesn’t always have to happen before penetration—it can also happen between sessions of penetration, or afterward.Research shows that foreplay is linked to more sexual satisfaction in women.In addition, both men and women desire more foreplay than they typically get, according to one study.So, how long should foreplay be? A 2019 survey of 1,000 people found that 45% said their foreplay typically lasts 5 to 10 minutes, while 29% said it lasts 10 to 20 minutes.Ideally, foreplay and sex should last long enough for you and your partner to both feel satisfied. Just as there’s no definitive answer tohow often couples have sex, there’s also no one answer to how long sex—including foreplay—should last.Average Time to Male EjaculationMany people consider sex to be “over” when the male ejaculates or “cums.” That doesn’t have to be the case, but it’s helpful to understand a bit more about what impacts ejaculation timing.On average, it takes a male five to seven minutes to ejaculate.If you’re within that range, there’s likely no reason to seek medical attention, or necessarily try to make sex last longer. However, if you want to prolong your sexual activity, you can take breaks from stimulation, switch positions, or focus on your partner’s pleasure.Influencing VariablesSome variables can impact how long it takes a man to ejaculate. These include:Alcohol use:Alcohol impacts the nervous system, which can make it difficult to feel sexual stimuli, which can lead to delayed ejaculation. However, chronic alcohol use can also cause premature ejaculation.Underlying health conditions:Mental health conditions like depression or anxiety and physical conditions like prostate or thyroid issues can contribute to premature ejaculation.Nerves:Nerves and anxiety can contribute to both premature and delayed ejaculation. Talking with your partner can help, and so can professional sex therapy.Age:Ejaculation generally takes longer with age.While medications like Viagra can make it easier to get an erection for penetrative sex, they don’t impact how long sex lasts.Average Time to Female OrgasmIn general, it takes longer for females to reach orgasm than it does for males. Two separate studies have found that during partnered sex it took women an average of 14 minutes to reach orgasm. One of those studies noted a range from six to 20 minutes for women to reach orgasm.During masturbation, women reach orgasm in an average of eight minutes, one study found.The type of stimulation that women need to reach orgasm also varies. Some women can orgasm just from penetrative sex, while many others require clitoral stimulation as well.Influencing VariablesAs with males, many variables can influence how long it takes females to reach orgasm, including:The type of stimulation receivedComfort level with the partnerLevel of arousalAlcohol, which can make it more difficult to orgasmPrescription or medication drugsOverall physical and mental healthLearn more:Locating and Stimulating the G-SpotHow to “Last” LongerResearch shows there’s a lot of pressure for sex to last longer. Men, in particular, report that penetrative sex should last longer than it does. However, longer sessions don’t equate to more satisfying sex. It’s important to be honest with yourself and your partner about the sex you desire, and what timing works best for both of you.If you want to last longer before ejaculating, you can try these strategies:Ejaculate earlier in the day:Masturbating or having sex two hours or more before another sex session can result in a longer time to ejaculate later on.Take breaks from stimulation:Pulling out or switching positions as you feel yourself nearing orgasm can reduce the sensation and help you last longer.Try a condom:Some people report that wearing a thick condom reduces sensation and therefore makes them last longer. However, research shows wearing a condom doesn’t significantly change how long sex lasts.How to Make Sex QuickerSometimes, you want to speed up sex, either for timing reasons or because you feel it takes you too long to orgasm. These things may help speed up sex:Use toys, such as vibrators, to increase stimulation.Use lube so that you can comfortably have sex without waiting for natural lubrication.Try something that turns you on. Sexual fantasies or “dirty talk” can increase arousal so that both partners can orgasm faster.SummarySex should last however long is satisfying for you and your partner. Research shows that on average it takes women 14 minutes of sexual stimulation to reach orgasm, while it takes men roughly 5.4 minutes to ejaculate from penetrative sex. Foreplay and open communication play an important role in having a satisfying, pleasurable sex life.However, if you are concerned that a medical issue may be at play in making your sex last too long or not long enough, reach out to your healthcare provider.
If you’re wondering how long sex should last, you might be worried about your performance or your partners’ performance. Research shows that penetrative sex lasts for minutes, about 5.4 minutes on average.
However, there’s no one average sex time or intercourse duration that can make your sex life good or not good. In addition, there are lots ofdifferent ways to be intimateand prolong sexual connection without penetration.
Continue reading to learn more about how long sex is, and what to do if you or your partner isn’t satisfied with your sex life.
A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
How Long Sex Lasts on Average
Unsurprisingly, research on the average time to have sex lasts lacking. Even the definition can be tricky, since sex can include penetrative sex, oral sex, masturbation, and other acts. Still, it can be helpful to have some number to give context to how long sex should last.
A Word From VerywellSexual satisfaction isn’t about a stopwatch, but about communication, connection, and mutual enjoyment. It’s not about how long you “last,” but about the quality of the experience and the fulfillment of both partners. Open dialogue about sexual needs and desires is key to understanding if you’re meeting your partner’s expectations.—SOMA MANDAL, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Sexual satisfaction isn’t about a stopwatch, but about communication, connection, and mutual enjoyment. It’s not about how long you “last,” but about the quality of the experience and the fulfillment of both partners. Open dialogue about sexual needs and desires is key to understanding if you’re meeting your partner’s expectations.—SOMA MANDAL, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Sexual satisfaction isn’t about a stopwatch, but about communication, connection, and mutual enjoyment. It’s not about how long you “last,” but about the quality of the experience and the fulfillment of both partners. Open dialogue about sexual needs and desires is key to understanding if you’re meeting your partner’s expectations.
—SOMA MANDAL, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Penetration
One 2005 study, which included only 500 couples, found that penis-in-vagina sex lasts for 5.4 minutes on average before the male partner ejaculates. Wearing a condom, or being uncircumcised, did not make the sex last longer, the study found.
A 2008 study of sex therapists found that penetrative sex lasting for three to 13 minutes is normal.
Medically, doctors will diagnose premature ejaculation if a man ejaculates within two minutes of starting penetrative sex.Delayed ejaculationis diagnosed if a man ejaculates after 22 minutes or more of penetrative sex.
What About Foreplay and Other Definitions of Sex?
Of course, there’s a lot more that goes into sex than penetration, and not all couples have penetrative sex. Foreplay—which we’ll define as non-penetrative sexual touch—is a great way tocreate better intimacy, and help sex last longer. Despite its name, it doesn’t always have to happen before penetration—it can also happen between sessions of penetration, or afterward.
Research shows that foreplay is linked to more sexual satisfaction in women.In addition, both men and women desire more foreplay than they typically get, according to one study.
So, how long should foreplay be? A 2019 survey of 1,000 people found that 45% said their foreplay typically lasts 5 to 10 minutes, while 29% said it lasts 10 to 20 minutes.
Ideally, foreplay and sex should last long enough for you and your partner to both feel satisfied. Just as there’s no definitive answer tohow often couples have sex, there’s also no one answer to how long sex—including foreplay—should last.
Average Time to Male Ejaculation
Many people consider sex to be “over” when the male ejaculates or “cums.” That doesn’t have to be the case, but it’s helpful to understand a bit more about what impacts ejaculation timing.
On average, it takes a male five to seven minutes to ejaculate.If you’re within that range, there’s likely no reason to seek medical attention, or necessarily try to make sex last longer. However, if you want to prolong your sexual activity, you can take breaks from stimulation, switch positions, or focus on your partner’s pleasure.
Influencing Variables
Some variables can impact how long it takes a man to ejaculate. These include:
While medications like Viagra can make it easier to get an erection for penetrative sex, they don’t impact how long sex lasts.
Average Time to Female Orgasm
In general, it takes longer for females to reach orgasm than it does for males. Two separate studies have found that during partnered sex it took women an average of 14 minutes to reach orgasm. One of those studies noted a range from six to 20 minutes for women to reach orgasm.
During masturbation, women reach orgasm in an average of eight minutes, one study found.
The type of stimulation that women need to reach orgasm also varies. Some women can orgasm just from penetrative sex, while many others require clitoral stimulation as well.
As with males, many variables can influence how long it takes females to reach orgasm, including:
Learn more:Locating and Stimulating the G-Spot
How to “Last” Longer
Research shows there’s a lot of pressure for sex to last longer. Men, in particular, report that penetrative sex should last longer than it does. However, longer sessions don’t equate to more satisfying sex. It’s important to be honest with yourself and your partner about the sex you desire, and what timing works best for both of you.
If you want to last longer before ejaculating, you can try these strategies:
How to Make Sex QuickerSometimes, you want to speed up sex, either for timing reasons or because you feel it takes you too long to orgasm. These things may help speed up sex:Use toys, such as vibrators, to increase stimulation.Use lube so that you can comfortably have sex without waiting for natural lubrication.Try something that turns you on. Sexual fantasies or “dirty talk” can increase arousal so that both partners can orgasm faster.
How to Make Sex Quicker
Sometimes, you want to speed up sex, either for timing reasons or because you feel it takes you too long to orgasm. These things may help speed up sex:Use toys, such as vibrators, to increase stimulation.Use lube so that you can comfortably have sex without waiting for natural lubrication.Try something that turns you on. Sexual fantasies or “dirty talk” can increase arousal so that both partners can orgasm faster.
Sometimes, you want to speed up sex, either for timing reasons or because you feel it takes you too long to orgasm. These things may help speed up sex:
Summary
Sex should last however long is satisfying for you and your partner. Research shows that on average it takes women 14 minutes of sexual stimulation to reach orgasm, while it takes men roughly 5.4 minutes to ejaculate from penetrative sex. Foreplay and open communication play an important role in having a satisfying, pleasurable sex life.
However, if you are concerned that a medical issue may be at play in making your sex last too long or not long enough, reach out to your healthcare provider.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sexual Medicine Society of North America.How long does it take the average man to ejaculate?Corty EW, Guardiani JM.Canadian and American sex therapists' perceptions of normal and abnormal ejaculatory latencies: How long should intercourse last?J Sex Med. 2008. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00797Younis, Ihab.Sexual satisfaction in women and its predictors. Banha University. 2019.Miller, S. A., & Byers, E. S.Actual and desired duration of foreplay and intercourse: Discordance and misperceptions within heterosexual couples. The Journal of Sex Research. 2004 doi.org: 10.1080/00224490409552237PR Newswire.Adam Eve asks: How long do you spend on foreplay?July 25, 2019.Overview: Premature Ejaculation.Institute for quality and efficiency in health care. 2022.National Health Service.Ejaculation problems.International Society for Sexual Medicine.How long does it take a woman to reach orgasm?
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sexual Medicine Society of North America.How long does it take the average man to ejaculate?Corty EW, Guardiani JM.Canadian and American sex therapists' perceptions of normal and abnormal ejaculatory latencies: How long should intercourse last?J Sex Med. 2008. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00797Younis, Ihab.Sexual satisfaction in women and its predictors. Banha University. 2019.Miller, S. A., & Byers, E. S.Actual and desired duration of foreplay and intercourse: Discordance and misperceptions within heterosexual couples. The Journal of Sex Research. 2004 doi.org: 10.1080/00224490409552237PR Newswire.Adam Eve asks: How long do you spend on foreplay?July 25, 2019.Overview: Premature Ejaculation.Institute for quality and efficiency in health care. 2022.National Health Service.Ejaculation problems.International Society for Sexual Medicine.How long does it take a woman to reach orgasm?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sexual Medicine Society of North America.How long does it take the average man to ejaculate?Corty EW, Guardiani JM.Canadian and American sex therapists' perceptions of normal and abnormal ejaculatory latencies: How long should intercourse last?J Sex Med. 2008. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00797Younis, Ihab.Sexual satisfaction in women and its predictors. Banha University. 2019.Miller, S. A., & Byers, E. S.Actual and desired duration of foreplay and intercourse: Discordance and misperceptions within heterosexual couples. The Journal of Sex Research. 2004 doi.org: 10.1080/00224490409552237PR Newswire.Adam Eve asks: How long do you spend on foreplay?July 25, 2019.Overview: Premature Ejaculation.Institute for quality and efficiency in health care. 2022.National Health Service.Ejaculation problems.International Society for Sexual Medicine.How long does it take a woman to reach orgasm?
Sexual Medicine Society of North America.How long does it take the average man to ejaculate?
Corty EW, Guardiani JM.Canadian and American sex therapists' perceptions of normal and abnormal ejaculatory latencies: How long should intercourse last?J Sex Med. 2008. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00797
Younis, Ihab.Sexual satisfaction in women and its predictors. Banha University. 2019.
Miller, S. A., & Byers, E. S.Actual and desired duration of foreplay and intercourse: Discordance and misperceptions within heterosexual couples. The Journal of Sex Research. 2004 doi.org: 10.1080/00224490409552237
PR Newswire.Adam Eve asks: How long do you spend on foreplay?July 25, 2019.
Overview: Premature Ejaculation.Institute for quality and efficiency in health care. 2022.
National Health Service.Ejaculation problems.
International Society for Sexual Medicine.How long does it take a woman to reach orgasm?
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