Confidence In Sex
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Sexual intercourse (or coitus or copulation) is, broadly, the insertion and
thrusting of a male's penis, usually when erect, into a female's vagina for the
purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction; also known as vaginal intercourse
or vaginal sex. Other forms of penetrative sexual intercourse
include penetration of the anus by the penis (anal sex), penetration of the
mouth by the penis or oral penetration of the vulva or vagina (oral sex), sexual
penetration by the fingers (fingering), and sexual penetration by use of a
strap-on dildo. These activities involve physical intimacy between two
or more individuals and are usually used among humans solely for physical or
emotional pleasure and commonly contribute to human bonding.
A variety of views concern what constitutes sexual intercourse or other
sexual activity and their effects on health. While the term sexual
intercourse, particularly the variant coitus, most commonly denotes
penile-vaginal penetration and the possibility of creating offspring (the
fertilization process known as reproduction), oral sex (especially
when penetrative) and particularly penile-anal sex are also commonly considered
sexual intercourse. Non-penetrative sex acts (such as non-penetrative
forms of cunnilingus or mutual masturbation) have been termed
outercourse, but may additionally be among the sexual acts
contributing to human bonding and considered sexual intercourse. The term
sex, often a shorthand for sexual intercourse, can mean any form of sexual
activity. Because people can be at risk of contracting sexually
transmitted infections during these activities, though the transmission
risk is significantly reduced during non-penetrative sex, safe sex
practices are advised.
Various jurisdictions have placed restrictive laws against certain sexual
acts, such as incest, sexual activity with minors, extramarital sex,
prostitution, pornography, sodomy, indecent exposure, rape and zoophilia.
Religious beliefs also play a role in personal decisions about sexual
intercourse or other sexual activity, such as decisions about
virginity, as well as in legal and public policy matters. Religious
views on sexuality vary significantly between different religions and sects of
the same religion, though there are common themes, such as prohibition of
adultery.
Reproductive sexual intercourse between non-human animals is more often
termed copulation; for most non-human mammals, mating and copulation occur at
the point of estrus (the most fertile period of time in the female's
reproductive cycle), which increases the chances of successful
impregnation. However, bonobos, dolphins and chimpanzees are known to
engage in sexual intercourse regardless of whether or not the female is in
estrus, and to engage in sex acts with same-sex partners. Like
humans engaging in sexual activity primarily for pleasure, this behavior in
the aforementioned animals is also presumed to be for pleasure, and a
contributing factor to strengthening their social bonds
thrusting of a male's penis, usually when erect, into a female's vagina for the
purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction; also known as vaginal intercourse
or vaginal sex. Other forms of penetrative sexual intercourse
include penetration of the anus by the penis (anal sex), penetration of the
mouth by the penis or oral penetration of the vulva or vagina (oral sex), sexual
penetration by the fingers (fingering), and sexual penetration by use of a
strap-on dildo. These activities involve physical intimacy between two
or more individuals and are usually used among humans solely for physical or
emotional pleasure and commonly contribute to human bonding.
A variety of views concern what constitutes sexual intercourse or other
sexual activity and their effects on health. While the term sexual
intercourse, particularly the variant coitus, most commonly denotes
penile-vaginal penetration and the possibility of creating offspring (the
fertilization process known as reproduction), oral sex (especially
when penetrative) and particularly penile-anal sex are also commonly considered
sexual intercourse. Non-penetrative sex acts (such as non-penetrative
forms of cunnilingus or mutual masturbation) have been termed
outercourse, but may additionally be among the sexual acts
contributing to human bonding and considered sexual intercourse. The term
sex, often a shorthand for sexual intercourse, can mean any form of sexual
activity. Because people can be at risk of contracting sexually
transmitted infections during these activities, though the transmission
risk is significantly reduced during non-penetrative sex, safe sex
practices are advised.
Various jurisdictions have placed restrictive laws against certain sexual
acts, such as incest, sexual activity with minors, extramarital sex,
prostitution, pornography, sodomy, indecent exposure, rape and zoophilia.
Religious beliefs also play a role in personal decisions about sexual
intercourse or other sexual activity, such as decisions about
virginity, as well as in legal and public policy matters. Religious
views on sexuality vary significantly between different religions and sects of
the same religion, though there are common themes, such as prohibition of
adultery.
Reproductive sexual intercourse between non-human animals is more often
termed copulation; for most non-human mammals, mating and copulation occur at
the point of estrus (the most fertile period of time in the female's
reproductive cycle), which increases the chances of successful
impregnation. However, bonobos, dolphins and chimpanzees are known to
engage in sexual intercourse regardless of whether or not the female is in
estrus, and to engage in sex acts with same-sex partners. Like
humans engaging in sexual activity primarily for pleasure, this behavior in
the aforementioned animals is also presumed to be for pleasure, and a
contributing factor to strengthening their social bonds