Men can now breathe relieved when thinking about the saying, “the longer, the better…sex is,” as a survey of sex therapists has concluded that the optimal amount of time for sexual intercourse was 3 to 13 minutes.

Penn State Erie researchers Eric Corty and Jenay Guardiani surveyed members of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research, which includes psychologists, physicians, social workers, marriage/family therapists and nurses who have collectively treated thousands of patients over several decades.

The survey follows years of people believing that endurance is the key to a great sex life.

“There are so many myths in our culture of what other people are doing sexually. Most people’s sex lives are not as exciting as other people think they are,” Said Marianne Brandon, a clinical psychologist and director of Wellminds Wellbodies in Annapolis, Md, the Associated Press reported.

“A man's or woman's interpretation of his or her sexual functioning as well as the partner's relies on personal beliefs developed in part from society's messages, formal and informal. Unfortunately, today's popular culture has reinforced stereotypes about sexual activity. Many men and women seem to believe the fantasy model of large penises, rock-hard erections and all-night-long intercourse,” the researchers said.

A total of 34 experts responded to the survey saying a duration of 3 to 7 minutes is adequate while a duration of 7 to 13 minutes is desirable. Anything less than 3 minutes was considered to be too short and anything more, too long. The time, the researchers referred to, does not count foreplay.

The researchers concluded that most people have unrealistic expectations about sexual performance. Also, they hope to give an idea of what therapists consider to be normal and satisfactory among the couples they see.

“People who read this will say, ‘I last five minutes or my partner lasts 8 minutes,’ and say, ‘That’s OK.’ They will relax a little bit,” Corty said.