A New Study Reveals Surprising Differences in Men’s Intimate Timing by Age

Researchers say there’s a clear timing trend that forms a sweet spot across the different age groups

A new study has taken a close look at how long men typically last in bed, and the results show that stamina can shift quite a bit from one decade of life to the next.

Sex often looks longer and more dramatic in movies or adult content, but real-life experiences tend to be quicker and more simple than those idealized scenes.

For many couples, intimacy is meaningful even when it is brief, although the well-known 'climax gap' shows that women climax far less often than men — around 65 percent of the time compared to 95 percent — which continues to shape conversations about satisfaction.

Still, that does not take away from how frustrating it can be for men who feel disappointed when they reach climax sooner than they hoped.

The study revealed that timing depends on several factors, including how often the person drinks alcohol, how recently they last had sex, and their age.

And as it turns out, many men do take longer to reach climax as they get older, which came as no surprise to researchers.

Here is the breakdown of how long men tend to last on average based on their age.

Lasting more than 16 minutes

According to data collected by Lovehoney, the youngest group in the study — men between 18 and 24 — averaged about 16.14 minutes during a session.

This gives the impression that sexual performance might improve as people get older, but experts say that conclusion is too simple.

Sexual health nurse Sarah Mulindwa explained that there is no single standard for how long sex should last and that the range is wide and very personal.

"In your 20s, excitement and novelty are high, which can lead to quicker climaxes, but recovery is fast, and stamina is generally good," she explained to The Metro.

"At this stage, it's all about pacing – using edging, breathwork, or condoms strategically can help build control."

She also emphasized an important reminder: "What matters most at any age is communication, technique, and pleasure – not the stopwatch."

Within this age group, five percent of men said they lasted less than two minutes.

Another 13 percent reported three to five minutes, while five percent said they could keep going for more than an hour, showing just how much variation exists.

Reaching more than 18 minutes

The pace tends to pick up for men aged 25 to 34, with this group averaging around 18.29 minutes before climaxing.

The data shows that 21 percent of men in this age range last between 11 and 15 minutes, while 15 percent reported staying in the moment for 21 to 30 minutes.

"Research shows that session length tends to peak in the late 20s to early 30s and gradually shortens as men get older," Sarah said.

"Experience, rhythm, and better communication usually make sex feel smoother, though stress or time pressure can shave off minutes."

Sarah also noted that trying out different types of stimulation, including sex toys, and planning intimate time more intentionally may help men in this age group enjoy longer and more satisfying sessions.

A slight drop to around 17 minutes

The average dips a little for men between their mid-30s and mid-40s, coming in at about 17.4 minutes.

Sarah said that a small decrease in stamina at this stage is common, and things like hormonal changes or early signs of erectile challenges may influence how long sex lasts.

Falling below 15 minutes

A noticeable shift appears between ages 45 and 54, when sessions average around 14.15 minutes.

According to the Lovehoney study, 25 percent of men said they climax within six to 10 minutes, while 18 percent reported sessions lasting 11 to 15 minutes.

Sarah explained that erections become less predictable during these years. She recommended exploring vibrators, choosing positions that require less physical effort, and looking into medical support if needed.

Around the 10-minute mark

Men between 55 and 64 years old reached climax at an average of about 11.3 minutes, according to the study.

Sarah noted that slower arousal and longer recovery are typical during this time, and other health changes or medications can influence the overall pace.

Just over five minutes

The shortest average times were found among men aged 65 and older.

The average for this group was around 8.15 minutes, with 28 percent saying they climax within six to 10 minutes.

More than a quarter — 26 percent — reported lasting between three and five minutes, while a small one percent said they managed to keep going for more than an hour.

The shared sweet spot across age groups

Even with the wide range of results, Sarah explained that the study highlights one clear pattern.

Most men, regardless of age, tend to fall into a middle range of about 10 to 15 minutes, and sessions much longer than that are uncommon.