Here's how long sex has to last to be considered good, according to experts

If you thought sex had to run all night long for it to be good then think again.

A study by researchers at Penn State University actually found that sex lasting more than half an hour was "a situation ripe for disappointment and dissatisfaction".

Researchers Eric Corty and Jenay Guardiani conducted interviews with psychologists, physicians, social workers, marriage therapists and nurses who had collectively seen thousands of patients over the years.

They presented their findings in the following four categories, giving each one a time range.

• Too short - 1-2 minutes

• Adequate - 3-7 minutes

• Desirable - 7-13 minutes

• Too long - 10-30 minutes

They found, therefore, that the ideal time for sex to last for it to be considered good is some time between seven and 13 minutes - slightly longer than the five minutes which is cited as the average time intercourse lasts.

The researchers explained:

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.

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