You may think it would be difficult to say what counts as standard when it comes to sexual performance, yet studies have shown that the average healthy man lasts 5-6 minutes from the moment of penetration. This mostly aligns with what women are found to prefer. In Dr. Zuckerman’s considerable sex therapy experience, he has found that women prefer intercourse to last between 5 and 10 minutes.
Perhaps more important than timing or statistics when it comes to sexual performance is our belief that every man should be able to control his orgasms. He should be able to ejaculate within 1-2 minutes, if he so desires, or last for 5-6 minutes, or more, if he would prefer.
The sexual process
The process of sexual intercourse is made up of four stages:
- Excitement
- Plateau
- Orgasm
- Relaxation
The first stage, excitement, is the initial sexual arousal. In this stage the man is sexually aroused and blood flows into his penis to create an erection. This stage is similar for average men as well as men with PE. The third and fourth stages – orgasm and relaxation – are also similar for both groups of men.
The plateau stage
In this stage standard sexual performance and premature ejaculation deviate. Vaginal penetration increases sexual arousal and brings the man to the second stage: plateau. This is the stage that most differs for average men compared to men with PE.
During a standard sexual experience, in this stage an average man can experience sexual pleasure while having sex, enjoying the intercourse at even the highest levels of arousal while maintaining control of his ejaculation reflex until he has an intense will to reach orgasm.
Normal Ejaculation – The Plateau Step Is Long
How the sexual process differs for men with PE
For men with PE, the plateau stage is markedly different. It is much shorter, with many men with PE going almost directly from the excitement stage of initial arousal to the third stage, orgasm.
Whereas in a standard sexual performance a man is able to control the plateau stage, shortening or prolonging it as he desires, those who struggle with premature ejaculation do not have this ability. This means that orgasm happens quickly, often faster than the man would like.
Premature Ejaculation – The Plateau Step Short to Non-existent
The key to successfully treating premature ejaculation is gaining control over this plateau stage, allowing the man to shorten or prolong intercourse as he wishes, and as he knows his female partner would prefer. It is about developing sexual sensory awareness – awareness of the sensations and feelings of penile arousal that precede orgasm during intercourse. This awareness will help develop control over the ejaculatory reflex, which translates to control over ejaculation.
Our exercise-based Premature Ejaculation Program is designed to develop this necessary sexual sensory awareness using sexual behavior therapy exercises that have been proven to successfully treat premature ejaculation. Using our interactive online course, you will develop full control over your ejaculatory reflex, and last just as long as the average man does.
