There isn’t a straightforward answer to this, premature ejaculation (PE) can mean different things to different people. In an NHS study of 500 couples, the average length of time of penetrative sex before ejaculation was five and a half minutes4. This is just an average, it’s quite normal to last longer or less than this. If you and your partner are happy with how long you last and the satisfaction you experience from sex, it’s not important to worry about how long others spend. Our doctors can carry out a consultation to help you decide if you would benefit from treatment.