Foreplay Sex Science Study Orgasm Tips

Skip navigation!

Begin Slideshow

ILLUSTRATED BY ANNA SUDIT.

Anyone who’s seen an episode of Masters of Sex knows that without the heart-racing, heavy-breathing prequel that encompasses foreplay and arousal, your chances of orgasm from penetrative sex are pretty slim. (Seriously, it’s science.) According to a study in the Journal of Sexual Research, both men and women hope to engage in foreplay for about 20 minutes before beginning intercourse — and yet, most report that actual foreplay only lasts about half that time.

Sure, there are some great hookups that go from zero to 60 in about as many seconds. It’s all good as long as you’re really, truly turned-on before going all the way. Why is that? And, what does it take to get there? And, what’s actually happening — between your legs as well as between your ears — during arousal? We combed through the research to figure out the science behind getting turned on. Because, although there are a lot of things we cut corners on to save time (hi, teeth-brushing for only 30 seconds) foreplay shouldn’t be one of them.

More from Sex & Relationships

How To End A Date When You Realise It’s Not Going Anywhere

Often during a first date, you’re just waiting for a “spark,” connection, or literally any sign that justifies you spending you

What Is Mgen? The STI You Probably Haven’t Heard Of

Many of us haven’t heard of Mgen. If you’re on TikTok, you may have seen a few videos about the bacterial illness circulating recently but even so,

by Tanyel Mustafa

What If We Told You That Your Icks Say More About You Than Them?

“Men chasing after ping pong balls! It’s so embarrassing for everyone involved.” This is just one of the answers that dropped into my inbox after I a

by Tanyel Mustafa

Forget “Icks,” Here Are Our Oddly Specific Turn-Ons

Team Unbothered is looking for someone to match our freak. This is our exhaustive, extensive, roadmap of thirst.

by Kathleen Newman-B...

I’m A Straight Black Woman Dating A Woman & Labels Are Complicated

It’s not that deep. That’s what I tell myself whenever my pen hesitates over boxes on a form, under the ‘sexual orientation’ section. It’s

I’m Happy Being Single, But…

How long have you, or your friends, been single? For at least one person in your circle, the answer is likely to be well over a year — if not years. (In

by Tanyel Mustafa

“I Don’t Miss It”: Celibacy Is Bringing Some Women Peace

Celibacy has had a rebrand. Previously, celibacy was often intertwined with religious ideas of purity and chastity, but for women today the concept is much

by Tanyel Mustafa

What’s A Cock Ring And Should You Be Using One?

Want To Orgasm Faster? Try This

There are plenty of articles on the internet instructing men how to make a woman come in five minutes, 10, or 15. But what if a woman wants to learn to mak

by Erika W. Smith

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Have (Almost) Survived Cuffing Season

For years, I thought cuffing season was fake — something we made up and clung onto each fall as a beacon of hope for the prospect of love (or any kind of

by Elizabeth Gulino

PSA: There’s up to 50% Off LELO’s Luxury Sex Toys For...

by Charlotte Lewis

4 Questions To Ask Yourself If You Think You Are In A Toxic Relat...

Trigger warning: This article contains themes of abuse. If spending time with your partner feels like it drains, upsets or hurts you, you might be in a tox

by Erika W. Smith