thanks for……………….

I agree, money should be put to work for more important researches.
So what if the results of those sex researches say 3 to 10 minutes for intercouse, that find did not save a life, did it?

I think it’s high time we stopped demonizing sex and anything to do with it, and that includes sexual harassment, sex offenders, etc. Sex is why we are here, folks. It’s not dirty, nor illegal, nor against anybody’s religion – it’s a basic human emotional and physical need. It should be studied, published about, and better understood so we can move beyond our Victorian opinions about it and maybe become better people sometime in the future!

Yes, sex is used as a weapon, as an intimidation tactic, etc. Yes, people who use it that way should be convicted of whatever appropriate crime. But sex is also so terribly misunderstood with deep-seated misconceptions and fears that it should be discussed. And by even reading about studies we might begin to break down some of the taboos and ideas that ruin even the most basic enjoyment of it for many people.

I agree completely. I am currently a neuroscience major and I am planning on going into research myself. I have come across this issue before in one of my classes, a drug addiction class in which a study was done about the amount of money funding research on different issues and the amount of economic impact the issue had. It was found that drug abuse and alcohol abuse had the most impact on the economy, but less money was set aside for research in that field. It is mind blowing how research is done for entertainment and not for benefit. Instead of spending money on the length of time someone can go in bed, why not spend it on Alzheimer’s, which from personal experience really takes a toll on a family, as well as diseases like cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other mental health problems that takes a huge toll not only on the families but also the overall population of the world.

How could you be “against” sex research and in the same paragraph say that we should be focusing on HIV/AIDS and cancer?

You do realize that those things can be sexually transmitted (cervical cancer is somewhat sexually transmitted), right? Knowing the who’s and why’s of sex can help aim prevention and treatment at the right people. And if – as a side effect – you find out that most people average 7.3 minutes a “session” then so be it.

I agree with you Sanjay, who ever they is does need to do real research, with that being said why did that even make the news on CNN.COM

Dear Doctor,
I’m afraid you’re missing the point. Not only is a half an hour of “canoodling” considered healthful for a relationship, but foreplay to foreplay is, too.

If you consider the costs of divorce to society, the emotional pain of separation and failure, then you’ll understand how important it is that these “little” facts are disseminated by social and biological scientists.

You can read more on my blog, Everyone Needs Therapy.

Google it. It’ll pop up right away. People like to read about relationships. They’re important.

therapydoc

Corporate America has the money and they will pay to research things they believe are profitable. Always follow the money!

Why NOT study sex? So much of our lives revolves around sex, the desire to breed and how social interactions and relationships are shaped by attraction and coupling behavior. Almost everything we do is tied into attracting and keeping mates and preparing for and supporting children. Do not forget that sex is what keeps our species going — we should definitely find out all we can about it (and talk about it OPENLY!).

Dr. Gupta,

I agree that studying “normal” sex lives has limited value, especially the stop-watch study you referenced. However, there are many important discoveries yet to be learned about impaired sexuality. Many pharmaceuticals, namely antidepressants, can come with grave neurological and hormonal sexual side effects that are not understood, and are rarely discussed with patients. I beg you to do a search on a condition called PSSD, for the lack of a better acronym, to understand the range of seemingly untreatable sexual side effects suffered by thousands.

Thanks.

Other countries don’t even come close to the amount of time discussing sex like we do. Ironic that they don’t have as many people with diseases as we do.

I completely disagree. Regardless of the social systems we have set up, sex is arguably the most powerful instinctual force governing our lives. MORE sexual studies should be conducted despite how “unromantic” it may seem. Sexual issues and resulting mental health and relationship issues remain taboo because not enough work is done in this field.

Well I feel there is a need for studing sex. But when it is being studied, we should also include the mental feelings, because the length of time doesn’t matter as long as at the end we are both satiafied, and for the most part that all depends on your connection with your partner.

How does sexual activity and overall health relate? Is there a credibile study or paper documenting this?

Studies about sex ( or how long the “process” should take for its benifits) is a simple issue that should forego to what is more important : human’s natural bioligal needs and its effects.That’s the trick.

I think research on this should take place. Sex is something that is more romantacized than presented in a realistic manner. If the only information we get are the Harlequin and Hollywood versions then no wonder people are disappointed in relationships and looking for the happy ending Julia had in Pretty Woman. Honestly, throughout college I wouldn’t let any one kiss me because I didn’t want to get attached (that’s the reason Julia gave for not kissing her johns in Pretty Woman). I believed it. Just like I believed I would have a glorious aha moment of recognition when the man divinely appointed to share my life crossed my path. I got that from the hundreds of romances I read in high school.

I would have loved to have access to a study like this instead. A study of real people in real relationships providing us a snapshot of their interaction. Perhaps my expectations of men wouldn’t have been so out of this world.

I don’t understand why people are so scared to talk about sex – as it is, not as we fantasize it to be. Real information is much better than the unrealistic made-for-entertainment version we’ve been getting for decades.

Just a quick comment about sex & Christianity.
Jesus Christ loves for His people to have sex. Read the
New Testamont admonishment. Except for where both husband
and wife are agreed to obstain for prayer or fasting God says
fulfill your responsibility to your mate. In other words, enjoy
lots of sex. God knows best. I love God’s approach to life.

” But wouldn’t it be nice if the money they put into this kind of research could go to finding the cure for breast, prostate or cervical cancer?”

Yea, like cause, like, then we could all live in a happy rainbow world and, like, not be sad and stuff.

Yes, it is arguable that sex research grants and private money could be spent on research that is working to cure more immediate-threat sudden illnesses. However, it is dangerous to big trivializing investigative research because, like it our not, it was some silly, investigative research team that first established a strange link between HPV and cervical cancer.

We are so bombarded by sex in pop culture, that I think science should take a better look at it. While I am still all for trying to keep sex in marriage or long-term relationships, it is important to try to research the effects it has on us through terms of health, society, and psychology.

My husband and I have been married for almost 23yrs. Having a great sex life takes communication and time to get to know each other. More importantly remembering that as a couple our needs change over time, as our relationship has evolved so has our sex life. Taking the time to communicate instead of getting frustrated or giving up is the key.

Hello,

Unless this blog is only for the “Let’s make believe God doesn’t exists and/ or the Holy Doctrine of the Bible is ONLY true as much as I can perceive it to be people,” then I’d like to add my two cents, if I may. My views have gotten me into hot water for almost as long as I have been alive. So, go ahead throw the daggers if you will. I’m used to them.

A person’s sex life or lack thereof, is no one else’s business. I am a TRUE believer in the Word of God and believe that sex should only occur between a Man and Wife (a real/natural man and women by birth, otherwise, it’s just “Let’s Make Believe”) according to the Word. It is a sacred union and should be handled as such; with discretion and reverence.

Whatever issues there are, good, bad or lukewarm regarding sex between two people, then they should stay there. If however, there is more than one partner involved on either side… well then, out goes the sacredness and security thereof. And the issues become the business of everyone involved, which lends to unnecessary money spending on unnecessary studies on sex, whereas, these monies could be put toward efforts combating poverty and homelessness.

But that’s just my opinion.

James S,

There would be no HPV virus and cervical cancer, nor any other sexually transmtted deseases if people didn’t have multiple partners.

I think it was a good research to know the duration of effective sex time in general. Sex is not as fascinating as it looks when you don’t have it. Good to know that in general.

I don’t agree that money set aside for this study should have been allocated to cancer research. The funding for this study was probably a small percentage of total funding for medical sciences – the social impact and psychological benefits from this study is not life saving, but have strong implications for the quality of life of many people.
Just as research on the link between good marriages and stress can not save lives, it provides physicians better basis to advice patients on how to improve the quality of their lives.
Yes, research on saving lives are important, but research on the quality of life for those living are important too and should not be treated as waste.

i agree to stop so much sex research. There are two catagories though. if it is research about preventing and curing STDs or something along those lines i say go for it, but to spend millions of dollars telling me how long i should last in the sack…no. now if you find out how long while doing the other research than that’s okay but we do not need to spend our money on stupid studies like the one that was on here about how women would be more willing to have sex if men help around the house… okay… how does that help hummanity? besides, most guys already know that, we are just a little lazy sometimes… okay alot of times. maybe we can do a study of why guys hate chores….