When it comes to the bedroom, the speed at which people can hop between the sheets varies wildly. Some men need plenty of time to get their motor running before they are ready to perform, while other men can get down to business just as soon as their partner says “Go.” In much the same way, how men react after achieving orgasm varies greatly. Some men would rather sit and catch their breath, while other men will be raring to go for round two. But suppose you’re more the “Group A” type then the “Group B” type; suppose your partner is ready for round two, and while you’re certainly game, you find that your body just can’t produce an erection. Could this mean you have a form of erectile dysfunction?
Absolutely not. While men vary wildly, there is one thing that all men have to deal with: the post-ejaculation refractory time, or PERT. PERT is the scientific term for what the body goes through after achieving orgasm. During this period, sex is the furthest thing from his mind, and his body will not react to sexual stimuli. But what differs is how long this period lasts in a man.
Research has found that the standard PERT runs about 30 minutes. That means, during these 30 minutes, your body will be physically incapable of achieving an erection. But PERT can vary from man to man; some men will be past PERT and ready to go after 5 minutes, while others may experience PERT for hours.
What’s important to remember is that PERT is not an indicator of erectile dysfunction. It is a standard reaction of the body, and should be not a cause for concern. With work, you should be able to pinpoint your standard PERT, and with this information you can work with your partner to determine how frequently you can engage in sexual intercourse.