Sex therapist survey shows the best sex doesn't last all night

Do you have two hours in your schedule to have some sex?

While many have thought that having sex for a long period of time is what most people want, they could be proved wrong.

A new study shows that the desired amount of time for sex to last is between seven and 13 minutes.

Eric Corty, an associate professor of clinical psychology at Penn State, gave a random sample survey to 50 members of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research, an international social group of experts in sexual research. The members, who are mostly Americans, each have at least 25 years of experience.

The survey asked four questions about the length of sexual intercourse. It concluded that too short of a time is less than two minutes and an adequate time would be three to seven minutes. Too long is anywhere from 10-30 minutes, and two-thirds claimed that seven to 13 minutes is most desirable.

"It goes against what men and women think," Corty said.

The study was conducted to dispose of the myth that the guy who can last forever is the best in bed. Corty said that many people think to satisfy a woman, you need to last a long time.

One myth that could be formed from watching porn is that the penis is rock hard and can last all night long, he said.

"Seven to 13 minutes is not long enough," senior Savanna O'Connor said. "It could be done that fast - you just need talent."

The "adequate time" of three to seven minutes is described as "having a quickie," freshman Oliver Barie said. "That is what you would do on an airplane."

This study should keep insecure couples from worrying about reaching climax too fast. "People need to just relax, the sex they are having is probably just fine," Corty said.

One problem that mostly bothers males is climaxing before their partner - Corty said that this should not be the case.

"The penis is the least reliable during sex," he said. "You have more control over your fingers and tongue. So if he finishes faster, it does not mean that the sex is over."

Younger people stress over these types of issues because society has shown us that nobody wants to be bad in bed, but Corty's study is relief for those feeling that pressure.

One way to deal with different climax times is to incorporate foreplay before intercourse. "It puts you in the mood," Corty said.

Students thought that foreplay should always be included, too. "Foreplay is very important," O'Connor said. "Sometimes it is better than sex."

Something people don't typically think of as a problem is the sex lasting too long.

"Long sex is kind of boring," freshman Sara Petrie said. "I agree that sex should last seven to 13 minutes."

Corty said sometimes women may prefer shorter sex time because of the lubricant in their vagina. During sex it can become dry and not pleasurable. Longer sex is based on the person's satisfaction.

"We may think longer is better," Corty said. "But too much might not be too good."

Junior Greg Merrick said, "It doesn't matter how long sex is, it's how good it is."

It can be frustrating when both parties are not in the same sexual rhythm. One way to avoid this is through communication to see how they can satisfy each other.

"If you're married and have kids, you have things to do, so you're in and out," O'Connor said. "If you're a college student then you probably don't have much to do, so why not make the sex last long?"