From how long sex REALLY lasts to where the horniest Brits live & orgasm stats – all your sex questions answered

WHETHER you’re getting frisky with a partner or exploring your own desires, sex is a huge part of being human.

Keeping things steamy – both solo and with your partner – can lead to a happier, healthier love life. And it’s not just about pleasure.

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From enjoying a romp with your partner or having some saucy alone time, sex is healthy[/caption]

Science says regular action between the sheets can lower stress, boost your mood, and even strengthen your immune system.

But let’s get into the juicy details. How long does sex really last? Where do the UK’s most insatiable lovers live? And what’s the deal with orgasms? 

We’ve got all your burning sex questions answered right here.

Clocking on

A quickie in the UK lasts around two minutes on average – but if you’re in Birmingham, things wrap up even faster, with Brummies managing just 1 minute 25 seconds, according to an Illicit Encounters poll.

Back in 2023, spontaneous romps stretched to about two and a half minutes, but last year, that time shrank.

It turns out, mid-morning quickies between 10am and 3pm are the speediest, barely hitting the two-minute mark.

Compare that to a lazy morning session between 6am and 10am, which lasts just over four minutes.

Lunchtime hookups, usually happening between noon and 2:30pm, go for about 4 minutes 30 seconds, while afternoon antics stretch slightly longer to around 5 minutes 4 seconds.

As the day winds down, things slow a little – teatime fun between 5pm and 8pm averages 5 minutes 10 seconds, and your standard nighttime session from 8pm to midnight clocks in at 5 minutes 24 seconds.

But if you want to make it last, waiting until after midnight might be your best bet – that’s when things get the most drawn out, with an average session lasting 7 minutes 10 seconds. Turns out, the later the hour, the longer the passion.

Sex toys

According to a study by Back Market and chic adult toy brand Smile Makers, plenty of people are hanging onto their old vibrators for way longer than you’d expect.

In fact, one in ten keep theirs for up to a decade before finally replacing it.

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People aren’t realising how their sex toys can be recycled[/caption]

But what happens when it’s time to say goodbye?

Turns out, one in three simply toss their used sex toys in the household bin, while 15% admit they stash them away – either too embarrassed or just clueless about how to dispose of them properly. 

The reality is, anything with a plug, battery, or cable can actually be recycled, yet many don’t realise it.

Causing vibrations

According to Lovehoney, if they stacked all the dildos that they have sold in the UK, their total insertable length would be 422,840 inches.

That’s equal to:

• 533 Angel of the Norths
• 111 Big Bens
• 57 BT Towers
• 34.8 Shards
• 4.36 Forth Road Bridges

Most popular size

According to Lovehoney, bigger isn’t always better.

Five-inch dildos are the most popular size in 82 cities across the UK, with Birmingham buying the most.

However, residents in Lincoln prefer six-inch dildos, whilst Bristol people like a 6.5-inch toy, and those in Newcastle prefer prefer the seven-inch dildos.

Toy crazy town

No pleasure

A study by Durex reveals a bit of a bedroom crisis – only 1 in 6 people actually think their partner is good at giving them pleasure, and a whopping 4 in 10 admit they’re not satisfied with their sex life.

It also found that many people are too nervous, embarrassed, or just plain clueless about how to start that conversation.

Maybe it’s time to ditch the awkwardness and start talking – because great sex starts with great communication.

Faking it 

A past International Women’s Day study by Durex found that 43% of sexually active women in the UK have admitted to faking an orgasm. 

And the number one reason? Half of them said it was to spare their partner’s feelings.

Lube

Lube sales in the UK have shot up 25% since 2017, yet a quarter of people still feel unsure about bringing something as simple as lubricant into the bedroom.

According to Durex, people who use lube (and condoms) report being way more satisfied in the bedroom than those who don’t – 62% vs 49%.

So if you haven’t already, it might be time to get on board with the slickest upgrade out there.

Bonking neighbours

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Has your nights sleep been getting disrupted by your neighbour? You’re not alone[/caption]

According to new research, millions of Brits are losing sleep thanks to their neighbours’ sex sessions – which, on average, go on for more than half an hour.

And it seems people are desperate for a little peace and quiet. 

Checkatrade data shows that searches for soundproofing skyrocket by 148% around Valentine’s Day.

For many, it’s a regular thing – 52% say they hear the late-night antics at least once a week, while more than 1 in 10 claim it’s a daily disruption. 

Unsurprisingly, it’s messing with people’s sleep (60%) and leaving others feeling straight-up uncomfortable (53%).

Some fed-up Brits have even taken action: nearly a quarter (23%) have confronted their noisy neighbours, and 15% were so over it, they actually moved house to escape the sex soundtrack.

Magic number

According to research by For Play Couples Chocolate, the average person has sex about three times a month – but for more than a quarter of couples, things have gone completely dry, classifying their relationships as ‘sexless.’

And when it comes to talking about it? That’s another struggle. 

Only 31% of men and 25% of women say they find it easy to discuss sex with their partner.

So, while communication is key to keeping the spark alive, it seems plenty of people are finding it tricky to open up between the sheets.

Australia takes the top spot as the world’s most promiscuous country, according to the Global Promiscuity Index. 

With an average of 13.3 sexual partners, Australians rank second only to Turkey in terms of partner count.

Attitudes toward sex are also notably open, with 81% of Australians believing premarital sex is either morally acceptable or not a moral issue at all.

Plus, with prostitution being legal, Australia stands out as one of the most sexually liberal nations.

The United Kingdom takes 13th place on the list – after Finland, and before Japan. 

Not having sex 

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Can you guess the percentage of sexually inactive people?[/caption]

Research by the National Library of Medicine shows that around 15.9% of British men and 22.2% of British women are considered sexually inactive, meaning they don’t engage in sexual activity regularly. 

Interestingly, women report a higher rate of sexual inactivity than men.

Virginity talk

According to research by NapLap, the average age at which Brits lose their virginity is 18.3, just a bit older than the age of consent in England and Wales, which is 16.

In contrast, Iceland has a younger average, with people losing their virginity at 15.6.