Staying in bed and having sex all day sounds great in theory. But when you actually try it, your enthusiasm reserve can run out quickly. You get tired, things start hurting, and your mind goes elsewhere. While having a sex marathon is not as easy as it sounds, there are ways to make it easier.
Based on all the pop songs about having sex "all night," you'd really think that having sex for hours on end were the norm. But in reality, one University of Queensland study found that sex lasts only about five and a half minutes on average (not counting foreplay). According to another study by Adam and Eve, it's more like seven minutes, plus 20 minutes of foreplay.
For many people, that's plenty, and there are definitely logistical obstacles to going beyond that on a daily basis. But having more sex never exactly hurt anyone. In fact, sex can improve your physical and mental health, bring you closer to your partner, give you both the practice you need to become great lovers, and even make you resistant to the cold and flu.
So, here are some tips to help you stretch out your next sex session for as long as possible.
1
Deemphasize Intercourse
One potentially unpleasant outcome of drawn-out sex is chafing, sex therapist Vanessa Marin tells Bustle, and intercourse — especially without adequate lube — is a surefire way to make that happen. Plus, there's a whole range of activities we can enjoy that couples might overlook if they see intercourse as the main event.
2
Edge Yourselves
Edging is a technique that involves almost making your partner orgasm and then stopping just short of it. "Most people lose interest in sex (or get tired) once they've had an orgasm," says Marin, "so you'll prolong the fun by prolonging the orgasms." Plus, once you do come, edging makes it more intense.
3
Use Edible Lube
To avoid the chafing hazard without leaving anyone's body unpleasant to the touch or taste, Marin suggests edible lube. "Silicone and water-based lubes taste terrible," she warns. "Silicone lubes in particular can linger on your skin even if you've tried to wipe off with a Kleenex." Instead, she suggests Wicked's flavored lube to keep everything slippery and appealing to the senses.
Don't worry if you can't keep going "all night" like the pop songs would suggest. But if you want to lengthen your sex sessions, all you need is a bit of creativity.
