By IANS
Washington : Those who talk of being capable of “long and hard” sex are probably lying. For, the best sex lasts minutes, not hours, says a new survey.
In fact, according to the survey by US and Canadian sex therapists, what most people describe as “satisfactory” sex usually lasts anywhere between three and 13 minutes.
As part of the survey, Penn State University researchers Eric Corty and Jenay Guardiani spoke to members of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research.
Members included psychologists, physicians, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and nurses who have collectively seen thousands of patients over several decades.
Sixty-eight percent of the group responded and rated time duration for the act, from penetration until ejaculation, that they considered adequate, desirable, too short and too long.
They described three to seven minutes of the act as “adequate”, seven to 13 minutes as “desirable”, from one to two minutes as “too short”; and 10-30 minutes as “too long”.
Findings of the study will appear in the forthcoming issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine, but are available online.
“Unfortunately, today’s popular culture has reinforced stereotypes about sexual activity. Many men and women seem to believe the fantasy model of large penises, rock-hard erections and all-night-long intercourse.”
Past research has found that a large percentage of men and women, who responded, wanted sex to last 30 minutes or longer.
“This seems a situation ripe for disappointment and dissatisfaction,” said co-author Corty.
“With this survey, we hope to dispel such fantasies and encourage men and women with realistic data about acceptable sexual intercourse, thus preventing sexual disappointments and dysfunctions.”
The survey’s research also has implications for treatment of people with existing sexual problems.