ATLANTA (Sept. 25, 2007) – Americans spend nearly three hours every week grooming themselves[i], but less than one hour on foreplay and sexual intercourse. No wonder only 46% of Americans describe their love lives as exciting – they barely spend enough time “doing it” to learn how to enjoy it.
These findings are part of “In The Bedroom,” the latest results from the 2007/2008 Durex® Sexual Wellbeing Global Survey, which takes an intimate peek behind bedroom doors around the world. “In The Bedroom” is the second major release of the five-part survey, building on its exploration into “Sexual Satisfaction,” a report released in April 2007. Analysis of physical pleasure and sexual knowledge and education will be released over the next 14 months.
On average, Americans spend 35 minutes on foreplay and sexual intercourse – 10 minutes less than the Mexicans and one minute less than the global average. Since Americans have sex once every 4.3 days, that averages out to about 57 minutes per week.
“Sexual Satisfaction,” the first wave of the survey, revealed that Americans are having a lot less sex than just about everyone else in the world, and when they do, less than half are fully satisfied. On average, Americans have sex just 85 times a year (about once every 4.3 days) – well below the global average of 103 times (about once every 3.5 days), with only the Japanese (48 times), people in Hong Kong (82 times) and Nigerians (84 times) having less sex.
Key Findings About Americans Compared To The World
While Americans might be bored in bed, they have some ideas about what they can do to improve their sex lives; most notably, less stressful lives (37%) and more romance (35%) are the top concerns. Other key findings from the report include:
- American men average 13 partners, which is:
- Ten less than the Canadians (23)
- Three less than the British (16)
- One less than the Mexicans (14)
- Equal to the global average (13)
- American women average nine partners, which is:
- One less than the Canadians (10)
- One less than the British (10)
- Three more than the Mexicans (6)
- Two more than the global average (7)
- Oral sex (69%) and sensual massage (62%) top the list of activities in the bedroom
- More than four out of ten (42%) enjoy sexual fantasies and erotica (41%) to boost the libido
- Older people still enjoy a variety of activities to keep passion alive, as more than 52% of those 55 or older give oral sex and 29% act out sexual fantasies
- Globally, 48% of those 55 or older practice oral sex and more than a third (36%) act out sexual fantasies
- We like to please ourselves: 88% of Americans have masturbated at some time
- Globally, 83% of people have masturbated at some time
- More than a third of Americans (34%) use vibrators and more than half (54%) use lubricants as part of their sex lives
- That’s far higher than the global figures of 21% and 34% respectively
The research also shows that most Americans (54%) expect greater tolerance of sexual preferences and practices in the future and are optimistic it will happen within 10 years. Another 52% expect that lovers will become more experimental, with 57% looking forward to people being sexually active for longer in the years to come.
“The survey has highlighted the activities that people already enjoy as an integral part of their sex lives and those they would like to include in the future,” said Stephen Mare, Brand Manager for Durex®. “As a leading authority on sexual wellbeing, Durex® is always looking at how habits are changing to ensure that we are providing the appropriate products to help our customers enhance their sexual health.”
Expert Commentary
The research shows that even those who aren’t yet using products to enhance their sex lives are keen to experiment. Another 16% of Americans are open to trying vibrators, 23% would like to try an orgasm enhancing gel and 11% would consider aphrodisiacs or pheromones. Also, 45% of Americans think it is acceptable for products aimed at improving sex lives to be sold in mainstream stores.
“Millions of people feel unsatisfied with their sex lives. Whether it’s the frequency of intercourse, or lack of variety and excitement, they feel that their sexual wellbeing is suffering,” said Dr. Sari Locker, a sexuality and relationships educator.
“But there’s a definite ray of hope that’s apparent from the results of this survey,” added Dr. Locker, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Amazing Sex. “More people than ever before are open to the idea that they can improve their sex lives. Becoming braver about making bedroom banter is the first step to knowing how to ask for more sexual excitement and creativity.”
The global research was conducted to gain insights into sexual wellbeing from the general public in 26 countries. More than 26,000 people were questioned on key aspects of their lives: health, general wellbeing, education, beliefs, sex and relationships, attitudes to sex and social circumstances.
About The 2007/2008 Durex® Sexual Wellbeing Global Survey
“In the Bedroom” is the second in a five-part series of reports generated by a global survey on sexual wellbeing, commissioned by Durex®.
This global research was conducted to gain insights into sexual wellbeing from the general public in 26 countries. In total 26,032 people were questioned on key aspects of their lives:
- health
- general wellbeing
- education beliefs
- sex and relationships
- attitudes to sex and social circumstances
The objective was to enable Durex®, a leading authority on sexual wellbeing with more than 75 years of related experience in such areas as developing condoms, personal lubricants and devices intended to enhance the sexual experience, to remain at the forefront in helping people fulfill their sexual aspirations and enjoy better sex.
Conducted by Harris Interactive, participating countries were Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States.
As a result of the survey Durex® has amassed a wealth of data, providing an unprecedented insight into all areas of sexual wellbeing. Durex® is publishing the data over a period of 18 months to look in depth at a variety of topics, including sexual experimentation, physical pleasure, emotional aspects of sex, first sex and education.
By the end of the series Durex® will have developed a model for sexual wellbeing.
The Durex® Sexual Wellbeing Global Survey was conducted online during August and September 2006.
A copy of the first two phases of the report can be accessed at www.durexsexualwellbeing.com.
[i] University of Maryland and the California Air Resources Board.