How Long Does Sex Last?

People often worry about not achieving orgasm soon enough or experiencing a rapid climax, unsure if there's a standard they should aim for. Research aims to shed light on this.

Researchers inquired with sexologists about the optimal duration of penetrative sex. One to two minutes was considered "too short," while 13 to 30 minutes was deemed "too long." Sex lasting between 3 to 7 minutes was labeled "adequate," and from 7 to 13 minutes as "desirable."

In another study, 500 couples were asked to measure the time from penetration to ejaculation over a month. Results varied significantly: from 33 seconds to 44 minutes, with an average duration of 3 to 7 minutes. Both studies evaluated sex solely from the beginning to the end of penetration, concluding when the man reached orgasm.

Researchers also examined the time it takes for women to reach orgasm. On average, it was found to be around 12 to 14 minutes. Hence, according to these findings, women require more time than the average duration of sexual intercourse. Moreover, 17% of participants didn't achieve orgasm at all. Most noted that penetration alone wasn't enough. This aligns with a survey by the U.S. Center for Sexual Health, where only 18% of women reached climax during penetration.

Experts suggest that some women might need less or more time to orgasm. Others may not achieve orgasm at all, and this, too, can be considered within the spectrum of normalcy.