How Long Does Sex Last For Most People? (It's Shorter Than You Think)

When it comes to sex, is longer better? Or do people prefer to cut to the chase? We took a look at the research that's been done on how long sex should last, plus what sex experts have to say about it.

The exception to that rule might be women who have sex with women: A 2014 study3 found the median time spent on sex was 30 to 45 minutes among women in same-gender relationships, compared to 15 to 30 minutes for mixed-gender relationships and relationships between men. About 20% of women in same-gender relationships said their sexual sessions last an hour or more.

Men and women in relationships both say they want about 18 to 19 minutes of sexual activities other than intercourse, according to the 2004 study of heterosexual couples.

The amount of time between the start of vaginal intercourse and when the person with the penis ejaculates tends to get shorter with age. In other words, people with penises tend to reach orgasm more quickly the older they get. At the same time, getting erections (for people with penises) and getting aroused (for people with clits) may be more difficult or take longer with age.

On the other hand, about 26% of premenopausal women experience female orgasmic disorder, and between 1 and 5% of sexually active men experience delayed ejaculation—two conditions that refer to difficulty reaching orgasm despite having plenty of stimulation (also known as anorgasmia), which may make sex tend to last for a longer amount of time.

How aroused someone is when they start having sex—and what types of sexual acts they're engaging in—may affect how long it takes them to reach orgasm. For example, jumping into intercourse without being sufficiently aroused may make it harder for a person with a clitoris to have an orgasm. On the other hand, if a person with a penis got a really stimulating blow job before moving to vaginal intercourse, they might reach orgasm more quickly. "Each person's sexual response cycle is unique to them," Howard notes. "Understanding your own sexual response is a key to great sex."

Using certain substances may affect how long sex lasts, in that it can affect a person's sexual desire, arousal, and ability to orgasm. For people with penises, drinking too much can make it harder to get and keep an erection, or to reach orgasm. For people with clitorises, alcohol may increase testosterone levels (triggering more desire) but can decrease genital responsiveness5 (making arousal, lubrication, and having orgasms harder).

Sometimes different situations, different partners, how happy you are in your relationship, and other contextual factors can affect how your mind and body respond to sex—and how long sex lasts. For example, for some people, it might be easier to reach orgasm quickly when you're focused, aroused, and with a partner who knows your body well, whereas it might take longer to have an orgasm when you're distracted, anxious, or unable to relax with your partner.

Among heterosexual men and women, it's common to measure the duration of sex based on how long it takes for the man to have an orgasm. Once he finishes, the sex is considered over. "Some people think sex is supposed to end because their partner has orgasmed or ejaculated," Howard says, but she counters, "Sex ends when each person is satisfied." Meaning, yes, sex can continue even after the person with the penis has an orgasm. If you're defining sex this way, studies on average duration of vaginal sex are irrelevant.

A 2012 study6 of 8,656 people found people who include more variety in their sexual encounters tend to have longer sexual experiences. A 2014 study on 822 people found lesbian couples tend to have significantly longer sex than gay men and mixed-gender couples.

Vaginal intercourse can be painful for some people with vaginas when it goes on for an extended period of time, largely because they may lose lubrication after some time. "Many people stop having sex due to the increased friction, which can lead to vaginal dryness," Howard says. "Lube is the remedy."

Here's our full guide to edging, including 10 edging techniques, from the squeeze technique to ballooning to tantric touch.

Orgasms usually happen from repeating a particularly stimulating action over and over, building up the pleasure rapidly. So if you'd like sex to last longer, Howard recommends switching things up regularly so that you have more variety: "Switch positions and alternate your activity to prolong sex. Incorporate different forms of touch, talk, and adventure to your sexual intimacy."

Switch between who is the giver and who is the receiver of pleasure. For example, maybe you spend a few minutes on intercourse that feels good for him, then switch to oral sex that feels good for her for a few minutes, then mix it up again. This can be mixed in with edging, too.

While some people worry that they reach orgasm too fast, others worry that they take too long to have an orgasm. So if you want to make sex go faster, here are some strategies:

For people with penises, ejaculating earlier in the day might make it harder to ejaculate later that day with a partner, or it may simply take longer to do it again the second time. So if you plan on having sex tonight, skip the masturbation in the morning.

Many people masturbate regularly and know exactly how to make themselves have an orgasm when they're alone. If you know your body and what kinds of touch work for you, don't be afraid to touch yourself during sex. You can rub your own clitoris during intercourse to help you get over the edge, or if you've got a penis, you can start with vaginal intercourse and then switch to using your hand to get yourself over the edge, perhaps while manually or orally stimulating your partner at the same time.

If you have a clitoris, make sure there's a ton of clitoral stimulation involved in all your sex acts. Most women require clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm; intercourse alone won't get them there. 

Vibrators and other sex toys can be immensely helpful for women and sometimes help them reach orgasm faster. If you know vibrators tend to make you reach orgasm quickly during masturbation, bring them into the bedroom too. You can have your partner use it on you, or you can use it on yourself during intercourse.

Drugs and alcohol can mess with your body's usual sexual responses. It can make it harder to get an erection (for people with penises), harder to get aroused and wet (for people with vaginas), and harder to reach orgasm (for people of all genders). So if you want to be able to have an orgasm quickly, skip the substances beforehand.

Instead, Howard recommends just focusing on how much you're enjoying the sex you're having rather than trying to make it last longer or happen more quickly. Here are the big questions she recommends considering rather than worrying about duration:

"How long sex should last will vary based on how individuals define sex and what that entails," Howard explains. If you want your sexual experiences to be longer or quicker, she recommends first pausing to figure out why you want to try to make adjustments. "If it's to increase your or your partner's pleasure, then go for it. If it's to meet some sort of standard, then forget it! How long you last only has to make sense to you and your partner."