Why is foreplay important? For years, sexologists have argued that foreplay is necessary to create arousal in both men and women. The role of foreplay or outercourse is important for biological and psychological reasons.
The biological reasons are that they facilitate arousal (i.e., in men, erection, and in women, dilation and moistening of the vagina). The psychological reasons are that it increases emotional closeness and lowers inhibitions so that the couple can enjoy sex.
However, few research studies have investigated the importance of foreplay.
One of these, in women, showed that limited preliminaries increased the likelihood that they would report sexual problems and dissatisfaction with their sex lives. Additionally, about half of the women with sexual dysfunction desired more foreplay.
In another sample of 2,360 women, it appeared that the duration of penetration and not the duration of foreplay increased the likelihood of orgasm (Weiss, 2009).
How long should foreplay Take?
A study of men and women showed that the time it takes foreplay to arouse a man or a woman is about 10 minutes. However, this study only looked at the time it takes to become physically stimulated and not the time it takes to become mentally stimulated. Furthermore, while the data support that the two sexes do not differ in desired foreplay duration, women often underestimate the amount of foreplay their partners want (Miller, 2004). However, because not all sexual contacts are made in the same circumstances, nor are the needs of each person always the same, it is important for the couple to be flexible and adapt their sexual practices to their personal desires.
References:
Weiss P, Brody S (2009) Women’s partnered orgasm consistency is associated with greater duration of penile-vaginal intercourse but not of foreplay. J Sex Med 6:135-141.
Kukkonen TM, Binik YM, Amsel R et al. (2007) Thermography as a physiological measure of sexual arousal in both men and women. J Sex Med 4:93-105.
Miller SA, Byers ES (2004) Actual and desired duration of foreplay and intercourse: discordance and misperceptions within heterosexual couples. J Sex Res 41:301-309.
