The Science of Sex: How Long Should Intercourse Last?

Two minutes can feel like a long time. For instance, two minutes on fire is an eternity. But what about two minutes spent in bed? How do you compare to the average time couples spend together? Are you a champion in the sheets? Or do you just pretend to be one? Science has some insights. Research shows that the average duration of sexual intercourse is shorter than most people think.

Many of you are influencing the average time spent on intimate activities. The term 'average' can be quite subjective. Estimates can vary. However, around five minutes seems to be close to the median. It's unclear what methodology was used. Does this time frame include everything from foreplay to climax? Let's be honest, that usually refers to his climax.

Is time measured from when you insert your sausage until it starts spitting out sauerkraut? We aren’t scientists, so we're not completely sure. But let’s assume, for the sake of a more comforting belief about women’s experiences, that foreplay isn’t included in that time.

We are focusing on the physical friction aspect of sex. This involves you and your partner's bodies working together to create excitement. Media representations of sex often stem from pornography. In porn, the emphasis is on duration. An average porn scene lasts around 15 to 20 minutes. It usually includes about 5 minutes of setup or "Storytime."

Many people watch porn, and they do it much more than real couples typically do. This creates a skewed standard for comparison. The pressure on couples can be intense. It’s crucial to remember that porn is not real. There are frequent breaks and pauses in filming. Just like Vin Diesel isn’t really jumping cars off cliffs to land in airplanes, your favorite porn stars aren’t performing for half an hour straight.

In between the action, there are bathroom breaks and water breaks. There are also breaks to adjust shots and lighting. When you think about it, it's not very glamorous. However, averages appear to be fairly consistent around the world. So, say goodbye to your fantasies.

European partners will serve you crème fraîche just as quickly as domestic ones. A study was published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. In this study, sex therapists rated how long sex should last. The focus was on traditional heterosexual vaginal intercourse.

The therapists shared their opinions on the timing. They felt that one to two minutes was too short. On the other hand, ten to thirty minutes felt too long. The ideal timing appeared to be between three and seven minutes. However, they agreed that seven to thirteen minutes was the most desirable duration.

The real question is, how long do you and your partner enjoy sex? A study of 500 couples measured this. They used a stopwatch. It was probably held by the woman. They timed themselves from penetration to ejaculation. The shortest time recorded was 33 seconds. We have no comment on that.

If you find yourself struggling, think about your grandmother. It sounds strange, but it can help extend your experience. Remember, she was young once too. Your grandparents had their own adventures. They were likely just as sexually curious as you are now. Studies suggest they might still be. By the way, the longest recorded time was 44 minutes.

The average length of penis-on-vagina sex is between three and seven minutes. One study tracked where couples were located. The results showed that couples in Turkey had the lowest runtime. This may frustrate some Turkish women. If the local men aren’t meeting your needs, consider traveling abroad for romance.

Your average track time isn't the most important thing. What truly matters is how much you and your partner enjoy sex. Always ask your partner how they feel. Get to know what they like and dislike. A positive sexual experience is far more important than the duration.

For more information, check out "What Is Sexsomnia" in my profile.