From the average number of partners to the time it takes to orgasm – how does your sex life measure up?
WHETHER you’re getting jiggy with it, having a roll in the hay, partaking in a horizontal mambo or making love, sex is a fundamental aspect of human nature.
Naturally, libidos may fluctuate thanks to the ebb and flow of hormones, including testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone.
But throughout all of human history, sex has been a prominent player in boosting intimacy and pleasure, as well as the obvious: procreation.
There’s a whole host of bizarre yet fascinating facts around sex.
Need to boost your sexual knowledge for the next quiz night down the pub? Add these to your memory bank…
What’s your number?
From one to 100 and beyond, if you’re sexually active, you’ll likely know your sexual head, or body, count.
According to data from the National Survey of Family Growth, women in 2015 aged 25 to 44 had hit an average of 4.2 opposite-sex sexual partners so far, whilst men of the same age had a count of 6.1.
Further research by SexualAlpha found that the global average number of sexual partners is nine.
Doing the deed
Research by NapLap found that the mean age at which Brits lose their virginity is 18.3, just slightly older than the age of consent in England and Wales, which is 16.
In Iceland however, the mean age to lose virginity is 15.6.
Speed of lightning
Sperm ejaculation is quicker than some speed limits, travelling at a staggering 28 miles per hour, Lloyds Pharmacy says.
What’s more, according to the Guinness World Records, Horst Schultz ejaculated a staggering distance of 5.71metres in 2006.
Saying no to sex
Research by YouGov has found that one in three Brits are sexually inactive.
And almost a fifth of 40- to 44 year-olds don’t have sex at all.
By the age of 74, this figure increases to 57 per cent.
Weekend peak
The peak time that Brits get frisky between the sheets is Saturday night between 9pm and 11pm, according to research by Durex.
Only nine per cent of Brits prefer to kick off the day with a bang, opting for sex in the morning.
Prime time o’clock
Forget hour-long sex sessions. The average time it takes a man to ejaculate after penetration is a short ‘n’ sweet 5.5 minutes, according to past research.
For women, it takes around eight minutes to reach climax when masturbating, and 14 minutes during sex.
A man’s orgasm lasts between 10 and 30 seconds, and a woman’s 13 to 51 seconds.
Women are more likely to have several orgasms.
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Calorie burner
Research has found that sex equates to light to moderate exercise.
Dr Chun Tang, medical director at Pall Mall Medical explains that depending on factors like intensity and duration, “a session of vigorous sex can burn as many calories as a brisk walk or a light jog”.
But don’t get too excited. With the penetrative part of sex lasting for, on average, less than six minutes, the calorie burn may not be too high.
Men typically burn 4.2 calories per minute whilst women burn 3.1 calories per minute, according to the study, Energy Expenditure during Sexual Activity in Young Healthy Couples.
Boost your calorie burn with an active foreplay session beforehand.
Beat stress, overcome pain
Sex doesn’t just feel great, it can really help us when we’re stressed too.
Long day at the office? A steamy session could be the wind down you need.
“Orgasms trigger the release of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters, helping to alleviate stress and promote relaxation,” says Dr Tang.
Plus, sex can act as a natural pain reliever.
“These can help alleviate headaches, menstrual cramps, and other types of pain,” he adds.
It’s called ‘hump day’ for a reason
A mid-week self-love session is a firm favourite for one in 10 Brits, according to Durex.
The same study also found that Friday is the top day for threesomes.
Give your heart a boost
A romp could be doing your ticker a world of good.
“Regular sexual activity can improve circulation, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease,” says Dr Tang.
Plus, according to The British Heart Foundation, if you suffer from a heart condition, sex is no more likely to trigger a heart problem, such as a heart attack, than any other form of activity.
Ultimate immune boost
A study published in 2021 suggested that sex had a protective role against Covid-19.
As the sexual activity of the study participants increased, their immunity status became more competent to deal with pathogens.
In fact, there was a lower incidence of disease among those who had sex more than three times a month in comparison with those who had sex less than three times a month.
Survival of the fittest
Unlike women, who release one egg a month, men release a staggering 80 to 300 million sperm cells on average, when they ejaculate.
Most of these will die. However, Dr Tang says: “Once ejaculated, sperm can live for several minutes to hours in the right conditions, such as in warm, moist environments.”
The magic number
How many times a day, week, month or year are you having sex?
According to research by Durex, the average sexually active UK adult has had sex 81 times in the past year, given or received oral sex 50 times, engaged in ‘self-love’ 67 times, and had anal sex 16 times.
What’s behind morning glory?
A man’s morning erections, also known as nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT), aren’t directly caused by sexual arousal, according to Dr Tang.
“Morning erections are a result of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep cycles, during which the body experiences increased blood flow to the genitals,” he says.