# ORGASM DURATION-Why So Short? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 11, 2002, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434 "2002-08-11T22:03:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2002, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/1 "2002-08-11T22:03:30Z")
The human orgasm is so fleeting…one would think that human evolution would have favored a lomger duration for the orgasm. I can think of some advantages: (1) better chance of insemination (2)stronger bond between male and female (3) overall, much better time! After all, given what we males must go throught to get one (flowers, dinner, gifts, flattery,etc.), the 10-25 seconds we get seems hardly reward enough. So why are human orgasms of such short duration?☹ ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2002, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/2 "2002-08-11T22:12:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ralph124c \* > \*\*The human orgasm is so fleeting…one would think that human evolution would have favored a lomger duration for the orgasm. I can think of some advantages: > (1) better chance of insemination > (2)stronger bond between male and female > (3) overall, much better time! > After all, given what we males must go throught to get one (flowers, dinner, gifts, flattery,etc.), the 10-25 seconds we get seems hardly reward enough. So why are human orgasms of such short duration?☹ \*\* When evolution comes up in sex I belive that it will tend towards whatever will get the male to move on to the next female as soon as possible. So your 2 and 3 would be reasons that it shouldn’t be long, but rather short. As far as the first reason though, I’m not sure. ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2002, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/3 "2002-08-11T22:16:58Z")
Because evolution is crap. Not only are our orgasms pretty brief, but we can only have one before needing a time out reset interval, whereas the distaff side can have extras. Not fair. Oh, and if you were designing the male body over several gazillion years, don’t you think you’d put something as sensitive to pain as testicles somewhere just a little more protected? Evolution is crap. How much evidence do you want? We have eyelids but not earlids. So you can close your eyes to choose not to see something, but you can’t close your ears to choose not to hear something, which is annoying if you’re trying to get some sleep and the idiot next door is exercising his democratic rights to enjoy his ©rap music collection at full volume. So there’s your answer. ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2002, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/4 "2002-08-11T22:21:06Z")
Orgasms should last at least a minute. Why do people spend so much time with candy and flowers for only a few seconds of intense pleasure? Seems hardly worth it to me. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2002, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/5 "2002-08-11T22:49:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blalron \* > \*\*Orgasms should last at least a minute. > > Why do people spend so much time with candy and flowers for only a few seconds of intense pleasure? Seems hardly worth it to me. \*\* If you think the candy and flowers are just for the orgasm, you are wasting your time. And your partners. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/6 "2002-08-12T00:26:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ianzin \* > \*\* Not only are our orgasms pretty brief, but we can only have one before needing a time out reset interval, whereas the distaff side can have extras. Not fair. > [@](#): > > Oh, and if you were designing the male body over several gazillion years, \*\* No but as noted by another poster us males have fewer problems aquiring alternative gratification. How many 7mo pregnant women do you see in nightclubs? How many of their husbands and b/f’s Nuff said ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/7 "2002-08-12T00:28:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blalron \* > \*\*Orgasms should last at least a minute. > > Why do people spend so much time with candy and flowers for only a few seconds of intense pleasure? Seems hardly worth it to me. \*\* Personally I enjoy the whole process leading up to is as well…would 30-40 min be more “worth your time” :wally ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Cynical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/8 "2002-08-12T00:53:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ianzin \* > \*\*Because evolution is crap. Not only are our orgasms pretty brief, but we can only have one before needing a time out reset interval, whereas the distaff side can have extras. Not fair. Oh, and if you were designing the male body over several gazillion years, don’t you think you’d put something as sensitive to pain as testicles somewhere just a little more protected? > > Evolution is crap. How much evidence do you want? We have eyelids but not earlids. So you can close your eyes to choose not to see something, but you can’t close your ears to choose not to hear something, which is annoying if you’re trying to get some sleep and the idiot next door is exercising his democratic rights to enjoy his ©rap music collection at full volume. > > So there’s your answer. \*\* ::closing eyes:: ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/9 "2002-08-12T00:58:36Z")
This doesn’t actually answer your question, but it makes it makes interesting reading: **Cecil Adams** on [Do female pigs have six-minute orgasms?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_064b.html) ---
**Author:** ![tcburnett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@tcburnett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tcburnett)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/10 "2002-08-12T01:05:11Z")
\> So why are human orgasms of such short duration? Intelligent design. So you can get back to the football game. ---
**Author:** ![hansel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6bbea6/32.png) [@hansel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hansel)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/11 "2002-08-12T01:24:54Z")
For the same reason we can’t lick our own balls: Because then we’d _never_ get _anything_ done. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/12 "2002-08-12T01:46:09Z")
> [@](#): > > After all, given what we males must go throught to get one (flowers, dinner, gifts, flattery,etc.), the 10-25 seconds we get seems hardly reward enough. The fact that we go through all this proves it’s sufficient reward, doesn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/13 "2002-08-12T02:07:35Z")
Two things: women can have multiple orgasms, which I would assume is pretty much as good as one long one, maybe better. What the evolutionary import of that is, I have no idea? As far as males, I suspect it may be related to our sperm reservoir volume. We orgasm long enough to, er, empty the tank, and a longer orgasm is a waste of energy, evolutionary-wise speaking. I have no evidence whatsoever to back this up. I made it up after reading the question. Sounds good, though. ---
**Author:** ![\_LX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/67e7ee/32.png) [@\_LX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_LX)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/14 "2002-08-12T03:14:03Z")
\*\* yojimboguy\*\*, assuming that one can have an orgasm without … let’s say _shooting the load_… I actually don’t see an evolutionary point in not having longer orgasms. ---
**Author:** ![puubs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/779978/32.png) [@puubs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puubs)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/15 "2002-08-12T03:19:50Z")
Well, one thing to keep in mind is that evolution goes on without a specific goal on mind. It has to build on existing mechanisms. Although you can justify several things by evolution, no one can ever really tell why the direction of evolutoin goes the way it does. It is a tradeoff. Many things that we have aren’t necessarily the most efficient and best designs out there. ---
**Author:** ![mandielise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58956e/32.png) [@mandielise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandielise)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/16 "2002-08-12T03:24:42Z")
I agree with drachillix. The part leading up to the orgasm’s the best! I’ve just always wondered what it’s like to have a male orgasm - any guys wanna switch bodies with me for a day? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/17 "2002-08-12T03:32:48Z")
And why no noselids? Then, if someone doesn’t bathe, I can just shut my nose! ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/18 "2002-08-12T03:38:11Z")
Just a guess, but maybe orgasms are dangerous? Not only does your heart rate and blood pressure increase, but while you’re having the orgasm, you’re not paying attention to the world around you, so some bear or something could come up and eat you. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/19 "2002-08-12T03:42:12Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by [LX] \* > \*\*\*\* yojimboguy_\*, assuming that one can have an orgasm without … let’s say _shooting the load_… I actually don’t see an evolutionary point in not having longer orgasms. \*\* I’d argue that the whole point of the orgasm is the muscle spasms that “shoot the load”. And I’d further argue that _during_ orgasm, you are essentially defenseless. I probably wouldn’t even notice a grizzly walking into the village while I was unloading. 😛 However, I can’t say I care enough about my own ill-thought-out theory to give it much defense. But I will certainly add my support to the concept of providing longer lasting male orgasms. I often find myself with a few minutes to spare afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434/20 "2002-08-12T04:04:33Z")
**ianzin** , I think your view is skewed by modern luxuries. Think about this, humans are probably the only animals in the world that have the luxury to wish to block out. “Earlids,” blocking out noise would a disadvantage to an animal that needs to listen for predators. Eyelids would be an advantage to keep dust and bugs out of eyes. Humans do have an ability that other animals don’t: the ability to zone out. Walk up to a dog one day while its’ lying with its eyes open. Wave your hand in front of it. The dog might not stand up, but it will notice the hand. If someone did that to you while you were deep in thought you probably wouldn’t notice it for a little bit. Evolutionary psychologists and other geeks who study this stuff believe that this is an example of evolution in progress as zoning out back when humans lived in the wild would be a huge disadvantage. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasm-duration-why-so-short/123434.md?page=2)