YNOT – Even during an economic downturn when many people find themselves spending fewer hours relaxing and more hours trying to make ends meet, Americans still make time for sex. That’s the conclusion venerable erotic products retailer Adam & Eve reached following its most recent survey of American sexual attitudes and behaviors.Nearly one-third (31 percent) of the 1,000 American adults A&E surveyed for the “Great American Sex Survey” reported their average lovemaking session lasts 30 minutes. Another 27 percent said their typical carnal adventures, from start to finish, average 20 minutes.

“The good news is that American adults are still finding time for sex,” said Adam & Eve Director of Public Relations Katy Zvolerin. “With today’s society so focused on multitasking, it’s encouraging to see that couples are carving out a small bit of time for their intimate pleasures.”

Of course, some respondents landed at one extreme or the other on the lovemaking-time-spent scale. About 16 percent reported their intimate sessions average 45 minutes, and 12.5 percent weighed in with claims of one hour or more. At the other end of the spectrum, 13 percent of respondents admitted to spending only 10 minutes or less in the throes of passion.

Also revealed by the survey: While many Americans spend a good deal of time in the act once they’re involved, they don’t get involved all that often. Only 33 percent find time for lovemaking once or twice a week. Another 22.7 percent make love one to three times a month.

“This news is a bit disappointing to us,” Zvolerin said. “Studies have shown that a healthy sex life can lower blood pressure and improve overall health. At Adam & Eve, we encourage a sex-positive relationship between loving, consensual adults.”

On the other end of the scale, far fewer people reported “getting busy” frequently. Nineteen percent said they have sex three or four times a week, and about 3 percent claimed romping one or more times a day. Thankfully, only 17 percent said they enjoy a partner “seldom” or “never.”

The results derived from an ongoing survey conducted by Cvent Inc. on behalf of Adam & Eve. The web-based study offers a new question each month in an effort to determine American sexual preferences and practices.