Intravaginal ejaculation latency time
Encyclopedia
Intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) is defined as the time between the start of vaginal intromission and the start of intravaginal ejaculation. IELT can help evaluate sexual effects of medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). IELT is one factor used to diagnose and treat conditions such as premature ejaculation
. Sexual performance and satisfaction depend on many factors.
Researchers have made conflicting discoveries about IELT. In a multinational study, the authors studied 491 men in the Netherlands
, Spain
, Turkey
, UK
, and US
. The men were in stable heterosexual relationships. Over a four-week period, couples recorded IELT data using a stopwatch and noted condom use. Median IELT was independent of condom use. Median IELT decreased with age (18-30: 6.5 minutes, 31-50: 5.4 minutes, 51+: 4.3 minutes). Median IELT for all participants was 5.4 minutes. Median IELT varied significantly by individual with 14% of men under 3:20 and 26% of men over 10:00. Potential problems include total sample size, small sample size per country, too few observations for each participant, and psychological effects of using a stopwatch.
In an early study, Alfred Kinsey
found that 75% of men climaxed within 2 minutes of penetration at least half of the time. In their book Human Sexual Response, Masters and Johnson
published a variety of findings on sexual response and satisfaction based on direct observation and medical exams. Sexual satisfaction is independent of how long intercourse lasts. A man's response time varies with a woman's menstrual cycle; shorter IELTs occur nearest to ovulation. Both partners' sexual experience also affects latency time.
Numerous chemical substances influence IELT. Some increase IELT by depressing the central nervous system. Alcohol and opiates (e.g.: heroine, oxycodone, morphine) fit in this group. Other substances act in different ways. Tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC]), present in marijuana, inhibits sexual arousal and orgasm. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) delay ejaculation by blocking a physiological process connected to the male point of no return (ejaculatory inevitability). For that reason, SSRIs can be prescribed to treat premature ejaculation.
Premature ejaculation
Premature ejaculation is a condition in which a man ejaculates earlier than he or his partner would like him to. Premature ejaculation is also known as rapid ejaculation, rapid climax, premature climax, or early ejaculation....
. Sexual performance and satisfaction depend on many factors.
Researchers have made conflicting discoveries about IELT. In a multinational study, the authors studied 491 men in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The men were in stable heterosexual relationships. Over a four-week period, couples recorded IELT data using a stopwatch and noted condom use. Median IELT was independent of condom use. Median IELT decreased with age (18-30: 6.5 minutes, 31-50: 5.4 minutes, 51+: 4.3 minutes). Median IELT for all participants was 5.4 minutes. Median IELT varied significantly by individual with 14% of men under 3:20 and 26% of men over 10:00. Potential problems include total sample size, small sample size per country, too few observations for each participant, and psychological effects of using a stopwatch.
In an early study, Alfred Kinsey
Alfred Kinsey
Alfred Charles Kinsey was an American biologist and professor of entomology and zoology, who in 1947 founded the Institute for Sex Research at Indiana University, now known as the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, as well as producing the Kinsey Reports and the Kinsey...
found that 75% of men climaxed within 2 minutes of penetration at least half of the time. In their book Human Sexual Response, Masters and Johnson
Masters and Johnson
The Masters and Johnson research team, composed of William H. Masters and Virginia E. Johnson, pioneered research into the nature of human sexual response and the diagnosis and treatment of sexual disorders and dysfunctions from 1957 until the 1990s....
published a variety of findings on sexual response and satisfaction based on direct observation and medical exams. Sexual satisfaction is independent of how long intercourse lasts. A man's response time varies with a woman's menstrual cycle; shorter IELTs occur nearest to ovulation. Both partners' sexual experience also affects latency time.
Numerous chemical substances influence IELT. Some increase IELT by depressing the central nervous system. Alcohol and opiates (e.g.: heroine, oxycodone, morphine) fit in this group. Other substances act in different ways. Tetrahydrocannabinol
Tetrahydrocannabinol
Tetrahydrocannabinol , also known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol , Δ1-THC , or dronabinol, is the main chemical psychoactive substance found in the cannabis plant. It was first isolated in 1964. In pure form, it is a glassy solid when cold, and becomes viscous and sticky if warmed...
(THC]), present in marijuana, inhibits sexual arousal and orgasm. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) delay ejaculation by blocking a physiological process connected to the male point of no return (ejaculatory inevitability). For that reason, SSRIs can be prescribed to treat premature ejaculation.
See also
- Delayed ejaculationDelayed ejaculationDelayed ejaculation is the inability to ejaculate or persistent difficulty in achieving orgasm despite the presence of normal sexual desire and sexual stimulation...
- Human sexual response cycleHuman sexual response cycleThe human sexual response cycle is a four-stage model of physiological responses during sexual stimulation. These phases, in order of their occurrence, are the excitement phase, plateau phase, orgasmic phase, and resolution phase. The term was coined by William H. Masters and Virginia E...
- OrgasmOrgasmOrgasm is the peak of the plateau phase of the sexual response cycle, characterized by an intense sensation of pleasure...
- Premature ejaculationPremature ejaculationPremature ejaculation is a condition in which a man ejaculates earlier than he or his partner would like him to. Premature ejaculation is also known as rapid ejaculation, rapid climax, premature climax, or early ejaculation....
- Refractory period (sex)Refractory period (sex)In sexuality, the refractory period is the recovery phase after orgasm during which it is physiologically impossible for an individual to have additional orgasms. Most men are unable to maintain or achieve an erection during this time, and many perceive a psychological feeling of "satiation" and...
- Sexual intercourseSexual intercourseSexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which a male's penis enters a female's vagina for the purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction. The entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails...