What do you have to do to have a longer duration during sex?

If you want to last longer during sex, the first thing worth knowing is that most people overestimate how long sex is supposed to last. The average is about 5 to 7 minutes of penetrative sex. If you're lasting a few minutes, that's normal.

If you do want to go longer, a few things can help. Slowing down or changing position when you feel close to finishing gives your body a chance to pull back from the edge. Taking breaks for other things (kissing, touching, oral sex) means the overall experience lasts longer without you needing to hold off the whole time. Wearing a condom can reduce sensitivity slightly, which some people find helps.

Getting more familiar with your own body through masturbation can also help. If you learn to recognise the point where you're about to orgasm, you can slow down before you get there. This is sometimes called edging.

If you're finishing very quickly (within a minute or two) and it's bothering you, that might be premature ejaculation, which is common and treatable. A GP can help.

If you want to last longer during sex, the first thing to know is that the average is only about 5 to 7 minutes. If you are lasting a few minutes, that is normal.

Things that can help: slow down or change position when you feel close to finishing. Take breaks to do other things like kissing or touching. Wearing a condom can reduce how much you feel, which some people find helps.

Getting to know your own body through masturbation can also help. If you learn to notice when you are about to orgasm, you can slow down before you get there. This is called edging.

If you are finishing very quickly and it bothers you, a GP can help.