The Vital Role of Foreplay in Intimacy

Regardless of debates on genital size and sexual prowess, the essence of intimacy lies in foreplay. According to sexologists, the average duration of lovemaking is 2 minutes and 20 seconds. However, with foreplay, it extends to four minutes. This indicates that men spend just over a minute and a half preparing their partners for intercourse.

American sexologists Masters and Johnson calculated that foreplay should ideally be five times longer than the actual act and should last around 15-50 minutes. The rationale behind this prolonged preparation is simple: women take longer to get aroused than men. While men might only need a few minutes of foreplay and a handful of minutes of friction, by the time a woman gets 'into it', the man is already highly aroused and ready. This discrepancy often leads to sexual disappointments. While male arousal escalates quickly, most are capable of enduring 15-50 minutes of foreplay. Only one-fifth of men are unable to handle extended foreplay—usually due to heightened temperament or premature ejaculation.

Extended foreplay is especially essential for younger women aged 20 to 30 and men over 40. Experienced women know what arouses them best and can provide concise guidance to men. Meanwhile, men under 40 typically get aroused simply by seeing a woman's naked body.