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STAMINA CHECK

Do you make the grade? If you want to be having ‘good’ sex, this is how long it should last

Whether you only last a few seconds, or you go all night, you have probably pondered what the ideal length of time to spend love-making is

Bedroom stamina

HOW long sex needs to last to be good seems to be a never-ending (pun-intended) debate.

Whether you only last a few seconds, or you go all night, you have probably pondered what the ideal length of time to spend love-making is.

 You don't need to last for hours to be good in bed
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You don't need to last for hours to be good in bedCredit: Getty Images

But, it seems that it could be good news for those who have slightly less stamina – as great sex should go on for minutes and not hours, experts have revealed.

A survey asked American and Canadian sex therapists – including psychologists, physicians, social workers, marriage therapists and nurses – about what they thought the ideal duration for sex was.

The duration took into account every moment from penetration until ejaculation.

 Good sex should last for minutes - not hours
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Good sex should last for minutes - not hoursCredit: Getty Images

On average, the sex-perts agreed that a frolic lasting for only one to two minutes was “too short”, three to seven minutes was “adequate”, and seven to 13 minutes was “desirable” – surprisingly, 10 to 30 minutes was deemed “too long”.

Researchers said: "A man's or woman's interpretation of his or her sexual functioning as well as the partner's relies on personal beliefs developed in part from society's messages, formal and informal.

"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."

 In the past many have believed that longer romps are better
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In the past many have believed that longer romps are betterCredit: Getty Images

However, in the past, research found lots of people wanted their sex-sessions to last 30 minutes or longer.

Lead author Eric Corty said: "This seems a situation ripe for disappointment and dissatisfaction.

"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."

Researchers recently discovered how long the average sex session lasted – with the average romp ranging from 33 seconds to 44 minutes.