How long should I last?

Have you ever stopped to think about where it was you learnt the ‘rules’ of sex?

For many of us, there are plenty of unanswered questions floating around our heads, causing anxiety. How many positions should I try during sex? Is my penis big enough? Am I even any good? And, the big one — how long should I be lasting?

That question alone brings with it a whole new set of problems — each man is different, and his ‘ideal’ duration of sex will vary. Similarly, every partner you’re with will have a varying sense of how long they want to be having sex for. Some women become aroused really quickly and are impatient to get down to business; others will enjoy a more drawn out, sensual process.

But with all of these variables taken into consideration, is there an average of what the ideal duration of sex should be? And what should you do if you don’t last the distance? In this article we’ll explore some of the findings from our global survey, and shed some light on the age old question: how long should I last?

MORE: How to last longer in bed?

What’s really considered ‘not long enough’?

If ‘long enough’ describes the ideal length of sex, then ‘not long enough’ is generally referring to premature ejaculation, or climaxing before you’re ready. When we surveyed 2,000 men, it was pretty clear what this looks like: the majority said that was under one minute. And for many others, ‘not long enough’ was one to three minutes.

However, here at Prolong, we believe that good sex is about feeling good in yourself — numbers and science aside. If you feel like you’re not lasting long enough, it can have a big impact on your sexual confidence and self esteem. That's why we're here to help. But more on that later.

What’s considered normal?

This is the time we need to point out something very important: there is no normal. Every man is different, and their bodies will respond differently to sexual stimulation.

But if you’re looking for a yardstick, our survey data might help. When asked how long each respondent lasts on average before ejaculating — the majority of respondents said 5 - 10 minutes.

Remember, don’t get hung up on the number — to some men, this will still be considered a short run, while for others it could feel like a marathon.

The most important thing to focus on is your own body, and the needs of your partner at the time. Figuring out what feels best for you both is what will become your comfortable, sexy, desired ‘normal’.

MORE: Need better control? Step this way.

From real to ideal 

If you are feeling unhappy about your staying power, control training is a great way to get your confidence back. Using a product like Prolong can help to retrain your mind and body. By the end of your training, you’ll be on your way to reaching your ideal sex times without a problem.

Like going to the gym, the only way to get long-term results is with training. It won’t happen overnight, but with Prolong you can start seeing results from week one.

Working with the device during masturbation, you can slow and eventually stop climaxing before you’re ready. The program is designed to create new mental pathways to feel in control when you’re having sex.

Answering the question ‘How long should I last?’ is as impossible to answer as, ‘Am I good in bed?’. It’s subjective. What works for you, won’t work for another. Hopefully you’ve got a better idea about where you stand, and you’ve eased any anxieties about being ‘normal’.

Whether you feel like your performance needs work or not, remember — sex is meant to be fun, so don’t let your fears take that away from you.