When it comes to how long a man takes to orgasm during sexual activity, there’s no single “right” number. Most research points to a wide range—many men reach orgasm between 5 and 7 minutes after penetration. NCBI+2SMSNA+2 Still, many factors—from age and stress to health and experience—make the real answer unique for each person.
A new study has focused on how time until orgasm changes within men as they age (Getty Stock Image)
The tricky part is that there’s social pressure to last “longer,” which can create anxiety or unrealistic expectations. That’s why a new 2024-25 study (and related data from places like Lovehoney) attempts to map how timing shifts as men age. Let’s break it down.
Orgasm Across the Years: What the Study Found
Below is how the average times reportedly shift as men grow older (and note: these are averages, not hard rules):
| Age Range | Average Time to Orgasm* | What Might Be Happening |
|---|---|---|
| 18–24 | ~16.1 minutes | High novelty, strong stamina, fast recovery |
| 25–34 | ~18.3 minutes | More experience, better communication, pacing |
| 35–44 | ~17.4 minutes | Slight dip due to hormonal changes or early erectile variance |
| 45–54 | ~14.1 minutes | Declining predictability of erections, timing variability |
| 55–64 | ~11.3 minutes | Further decline, but intimacy and technique can compensate |
| 65+ | ~8.15 minutes | More fluctuation—but many still enjoy fulfilling sex lives |
*Based on the specific 2024–25 source you provided—interpret with caution.
The researchers also point out that for heterosexual men, 95% achieve orgasm, whereas the figure is about 65% for heterosexual women during intercourse. This highlights a broader “orgasm gap.”
There’s not a ‘one size fits all approach’ (Getty Stock Image)
So, How Short Is Too Short?
If the “norm” sits largely between 10 and 15 minutes across most ages (as the study suggests), then many shorter encounters—say 5–7 minutes—are still within the “normal” spectrum. In fact, clinical sources often consider 3 minutes or less as potentially warranting further attention. Priority Men’s Medical+1
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One expert has said focusing so much on duration is not the key to a happy sex life (Getty Stock Image)
Also important: one classic study of 500 couples using stopwatches found a median time of 5.4 minutes from penetration to ejaculation. SMSNA+2pilot.com.au+2 That highlights just how variable the real-world data can be.
What Matters More Than Maybe You Think
- Communication & consent: Talk with your partner about what feels good and what feels rushed.
- Foreplay & variety: Many orgasm studies emphasize that intercourse alone doesn’t “do it” for many women—stimulation, positions, and variety matter. PubMed+2Psychology Today+2
- Technique over stopwatch: Focus less on “lasting longer” and more on pacing, awareness, and emotional connection.
- Patience with aging: Changes are normal with age. Adapt by exploring new rhythms, warming up more, or slowing down.
- If you’re distressed: If timing is causing anxiety, performance pressure, or dysfunction, consulting a sex therapist or medical professional can help.
Bottom Line
Yes, those age-based numbers from the 2024–25 data you read about are interesting—but they’re averages, not mandates. You don’t have to hit a timer to measure success. What counts most is that both partners feel satisfied, heard, and connected. Use the data as a guide—not a ruler.
