Sexual intercourse

Sexual intercourse (also coitus or copulation) is a <a href="/facts/Sexual_activity/jNYgvpq4">sexual activity</a> typically involving the insertion of the <a href="/facts/Erection/4vSHr1tU">erect</a> male <a href="/facts/Human_penis/shzvo9ML">penis</a> inside the female <a href="/facts/Vagina/ca5jsTwF">vagina</a> and followed by <a href="/facts/Pelvic_thrust/bHLmdymx">thrusting motions</a> for <a href="/facts/Sexual_pleasure/QeMLuLHN">sexual pleasure</a>, <a href="/facts/Sexual_reproduction/hmsXy53s">reproduction</a>, or both. This is also known as <a href="/facts/Vaginal_intercourse/okjwpVnB">vaginal intercourse</a> or vaginal sex. Sexual penetration is an <a href="/facts/Instinctive/LY8dyt6a">instinctive</a> form of <a href="/facts/Sexual_behaviour/jNYgvpq4">sexual behaviour</a> and <a href="/facts/Psychology/duoqW7Sz">psychology</a> among humans. Other forms of <a href="/facts/Sexual_penetration/VgtQH0td">penetrative</a> sexual intercourse include <a href="/facts/Anal_sex/sWRpk95W">anal sex</a> (penetration of the <a href="/facts/Human_anus/PGkvVMYT">anus</a> by the penis), <a href="/facts/Oral_sex/QG6XzNkY">oral sex</a> (penetration of the mouth by the penis or oral penetration of the female <a href="/facts/Genitalia/c2ypY14E">genitalia</a>), <a href="/facts/Fingering_(sexual_act)/yhmXY4QI">fingering</a> (sexual penetration by the fingers) and penetration by use of a <a href="/facts/Dildo/6o6na080">dildo</a> (especially a <a href="/facts/Strap-on_dildo/hGMRBVFT">strap-on dildo</a>), and <a href="/facts/Vibrator_(sex_toy)/F6d0VuDG">vibrators</a>. These activities involve <a href="/facts/Physical_intimacy/da30LuXW">physical intimacy</a> between two or more people and are usually used among humans solely for physical or <a href="/facts/Emotional_intimacy/SBgvxTGR">emotional</a> pleasure. They can contribute to <a href="/facts/Human_bonding/bCmzvKTF">human bonding</a>.
There are different views on what constitutes sexual intercourse or other sexual activity, which can impact views of <a href="/facts/Sexual_health/aQ4gq2xp">sexual health</a>. Although sexual intercourse, particularly the term coitus, generally denotes penile–vaginal penetration and the possibility of creating <a href="/facts/Offspring/v7LD4qBl">offspring</a>, it also commonly denotes penetrative oral sex and penile–anal sex, especially the latter. It usually encompasses sexual penetration, while <a href="/facts/Non-penetrative_sex/8b9vrVxy">non-penetrative sex</a> has been labeled outercourse, but non-penetrative sex may also be considered sexual intercourse. Sex, often a shorthand for sexual intercourse, can mean any form of sexual activity. Because people can be at risk of contracting <a href="/facts/Sexually_transmitted_infections/IYL1rxdI">sexually transmitted infections</a> during these activities, <a href="/facts/Safer_sex/X9N4rvqA">safer sex</a> practices are recommended by health professionals to reduce transmission risk.
Various jurisdictions place restrictions on certain sexual acts, such as <a href="/facts/Adultery/eQ3x0EBe">adultery</a>, <a href="/facts/Incest/SR46k5AI">incest</a>, sexual activity with <a href="/facts/Minor_(law)/dsEQKGhX">minors</a>, <a href="/facts/Prostitution/LS7VeWB5">prostitution</a>, <a href="/facts/Rape/7RLDwHCN">rape</a>, <a href="/facts/Zoophilia/A9JYUjGg">zoophilia</a>, <a href="/facts/Sodomy/37Jgb7mr">sodomy</a>, <a href="/facts/Premarital_sex/4DceQJdJ">premarital sex</a> and <a href="/facts/Extramarital_sex/XaDBmtNj">extramarital sex</a>. <a href="/facts/Religious/cxntrD0R">Religious</a> beliefs also play a role in personal decisions about sexual intercourse or other sexual activity, such as decisions about <a href="/facts/Virginity/ceJczHyF">virginity</a>, or legal and public policy matters. <a href="/facts/Religion_and_sexuality/7fESRBqz">Religious views on sexuality</a> 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 called <a href="/facts/Copulation_(zoology)/rYcheMjL">copulation</a>, and <a href="/facts/Sperm/RCxpXygQ">sperm</a> may be introduced into the female's reproductive tract in non-vaginal ways among the animals, such as by <a href="/facts/Cloaca/e5rv15PI">cloacal</a> copulation. For most non-human <a href="/facts/Mammal/phSwTzBo">mammals</a>, <a href="/facts/Mating/o2voslGF">mating</a> and copulation occur at the point of <a href="/facts/Estrous_cycle/qo2BuxlQ">estrus</a> (the most fertile period of time in the female's reproductive cycle), which increases the chances of <a href="/facts/Internal_fertilization/CJtuSyeG">successful impregnation</a>. However, <a href="/facts/Bonobo/B4ddCJK4">bonobos</a>, <a href="/facts/Dolphin/NUxUP7Ph">dolphins</a> and <a href="/facts/Chimpanzees/JXSpFsHy">chimpanzees</a> are known to engage in sexual intercourse regardless of whether the female is in estrus, and to engage in <a href="/facts/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals/3wvDAKNV">sex acts with same-sex partners</a>. Like humans engaging in sexual activity primarily for pleasure, this behavior in these animals is also presumed to be for pleasure, and a contributing factor to strengthening their social bonds.

Sexual intercourse open-in-new

Sexual intercourse