Sex therapists say 3-13 minutes is best

Thursday 03rd April, 07:24 AM JST

NEW YORK —

A survey of sex therapists have concluded the optimal amount of time for sexual intercourse was 3 to 13 minutes.

The findings, to be published in the May issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine, strike at the notion that endurance is the key to a great sex life.

However, the time does not count foreplay, and the therapists did rate sexual intercourse that lasts from 1 to 2 minutes as “too short.”

Researcher Eric Corty said he hoped to ease the minds of those who believe that “more of something good is better, and if you really want to satisfy your partner, you should last forever.”

The questions were not gender-specific, said Corty. But he said prior research has shown that both men and women want foreplay and sexual intercourse to last longer.

Dr. Irwin Goldstein, editor of the Journal of Sexual Medicine, cited a four-week study of 1,500 couples in 2005 that found the median time for sexual intercourse was 7.3 minutes. (Women were armed with stopwatches.)

It’s difficult for both older men and young men to make sexual intercourse last much longer, said Marianne Brandon, a clinical psychologist and director of Wellminds Wellbodies in Annapolis, Maryland.

“There are so many myths in our culture of what other people are doing sexually,” Brandon said. “Most people’s sex lives are not as exciting as other people think they are.”

Fifty members of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research in the U.S. and Canada were surveyed by Corty, an associate professor of psychology at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, and student Jenay Guardiani. Thirty-four members, or 68%, responded, although some said the optimal time depended on the couple.

Corty said he hoped to give an idea of what therapists find to be normal and satisfactory among the couples they see.

“People who read this will say, ‘I last five minutes or my partner lasts 8 minutes,’ and say, ‘That’s OK,’” he said. “They will relax a little bit.”

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Latest 15 of 21 Total Comments Show All

kinniku at 09:55 AM JST - 3rd April

rjd_jr,

How does your partner feel about that? ;)
UnagiDon at 09:55 AM JST - 3rd April

They mean 3-13 minutes per hour?
Nessie at 10:24 AM JST - 3rd April

Does that include the post-coital rollover and nap?
Hikozaemon at 12:13 PM JST - 3rd April

Two minutes in heaven, is better than one minute in heaven...

Peace
Nessie at 02:04 PM JST - 3rd April

Hiko, But 45 minutes of bangin' at the gates of heaven ain't no fun at all.
romulus3 at 02:37 PM JST - 3rd April

its fun . do it for a long time and then some more and then some more. you can get 5 hours out of a decent Saturday. night or day, no problem. just enjoy the passion.
Taka313 at 03:04 PM JST - 3rd April

I think an important part of sex is what happens afterward also. After sex, most women want to hear something like: "I love you. I want to grow old with you. Let's just hold each other until the sun comes up."

Guys on the other hand just want to hear this: http://www.myxertones.com/ringtone:53641/ (click on the play button)

I can't take credit for that one. I saw a comedian do that bit a few years ago.

Taka
Sarge at 03:37 PM JST - 3rd April

"3-13 minutes is best"

Richard Pryor said "I can do about 5 minutes of serious ( sex ), then I need 8 hours of sleep and a bowl of Wheaties."
SimondB at 05:33 PM JST - 3rd April

Time is not the measure. When you have those really hot times when you get home rip each others clothes off, no one is timing matters. That can be short hot and very enjoyable sex. Then there are the times when you both have been drinking wine and you slip into a whole different mode. Early morning can be a slow sleepy experience or a quickie before work. Time is not the measure - it is the enjoyment the partners derive fromew it.
Patrick Smash at 07:52 PM JST - 3rd April

I don't think I've ever manged 3 minutes. It's more a sprint than a marathin isn't it.
sailwind at 08:07 PM JST - 3rd April

Hey, what the heck is this foreplay stuff the article mentions?
SuperLib at 08:37 PM JST - 3rd April

Old news. I've know that since high school.
Taka313 at 08:49 PM JST - 3rd April

Geez Sailwind, Don't you know anything? It's sex on the golf course. Everyone knows that.

Taka
sailwind at 09:25 PM JST - 3rd April

>

Geez Sailwind, Don't you know anything? It's sex on the golf course. Everyone knows that.

Taka

Ahhh, clears that up! By the way how do I get hold of this Goldstein guy, he owes me some medical bills.

Dr. Irwin Goldstein, editor of the Journal of Sexual Medicine,

I bought a copy of his journal tried a few of his suggestions and ended up in traction it was a misprint.
Bogi at 11:30 PM JST - 3rd April

3-13 minutes

That doesn't really narrow it down, does it!? Now I'm more confused than ever.

I need a specific number to aim for. You know, like 5 minutes 20 seconds.