A Quick Guide to Quickies

Tips for a revved-up romp

By Jennifer Benjamin

In bodice-ripping romance novels, hours of lovemaking sounds wonderful. In real life, marathon sessions can leave you wondering, Are we done yet? In fact, surveys show that most of us prefer sex to last less than 15 minutes.

Makes sense: In a speedy session, not only is there less pressure to have the best sex ever, but the lightning-fast factor can be exhilarating ("I must have you right now!"). To make a minutes-long romp even more satisfying, try these tricks.

Do some smooching

Making out will help you get turned on faster. "Kissing accelerates the arousal process because it wakes up the nervous system, as well as the endocrine system, which produces all of those lust-fueled hormones," says Los Angeles–based sex coach Patti Britton, PhD. It also makes a quick encounter feel way more intimate, so don’t fast-forward past foreplay.

Keep your clothes on

Why waste precious minutes getting undressed? Besides, staying covered up can be a big turn-on. "It feels primal and animalistic, as though you’re desperate to have each other right there and then," explains Joel Block, PhD, a psychologist and relationship expert for