Sexual intercourse: Difference between revisions

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{{Mergefrom|Duration of sexual intercourse|date=January 2007}}

{{About|'''sexual intercourse''' in humans and its societal implications|biological copulation in general|mating}}

{{For2|a discussion of the broader scope of human sexual activity|[[human sexual behavior]] and [[list of sex positions]]}}

{{For|a detailed description of the physiology of sexual arousal and orgasm|human sexual response cycle}}

{{Dablink|For male-male or female-female genito-genital sex, see [[frot]] or [[tribadism]] respectively.}}

{{ redirect5|Making love|the 1982 film|Making Love}}

{{Portalpar|Sexuality}}

Vaginal '''sexual intercourse,''' also called '''coitus''' is the human form of [[copulation]]. While its primary evolutionary purpose is the reproduction and continued survival of the human species, it often is used exclusively for pleasure.

Sexual intercourse is also defined as referring to any form of insertive sexual behavior, including [[oral sex]], as well as [[anal intercourse]]. The phrase '''to have sex''' can mean any or all of these behaviors.

Coitus may be preceded by [[foreplay]], which leads to [[sexual arousal]] of the partners, resulting in the [[erection]] of the [[penis]] and natural [[lubrication]] of the [[vagina]].

[[Image:Coition of a Hemisected Man and Woman.jpg|thumb|210px|right|'''Coition of a Hemisected Man and Woman''' (c. [[1492]]) is an artist's interpretation of what happens inside the body during coitus by [[Leonardo da Vinci]].]]

To engage in coitus, the erect penis is inserted into the vagina and one or both of the partners move their hips to move the penis backward and forward inside the vagina to cause [[friction]], typically without fully removing the penis. In this way, they stimulate themselves and each other, often continuing until [[orgasm]] and [[ejaculation]] are achieved. Penetration by the hardened erect penis is also known as '''intromission''', or by the Latin name ''immissio penis''.

== Sexual reproduction ==

[[Image:Doggy Sex Position.png|thumb|right|The "[[Doggy_style|Doggystyle]]" position.]]

Coitus is the basic reproductive method of humans. During ejaculation, which usually accompanies male orgasm, a series of muscular [[Muscle contraction|contractions]] delivers [[semen]] containing male [[gamete]]s known as sperm cells or [[Spermatozoon|spermatozoa]] from the penis into the vault of the [[vagina]]. The subsequent route of the sperm from the vault of the vagina is through the [[cervix]] and into the [[uterus]], and then into the [[fallopian tube]]s. Millions of [[sperm]] are present in each ejaculation, to increase the chances of one fertilizing an egg or [[ovum]]. If [[female orgasm]] occurs during or after male ejaculation, the corresponding temporary reduction in the size of the vagina and the contractions of the uterus that occur can help the sperm to reach the fallopian tubes, though female orgasm is not necessary to achieve pregnancy. When a fertile ovum from the female is present in the fallopian tubes, the male gamete joins with the ovum resulting in [[fertilisation|fertilization]] and the formation of a new [[embryo]]. When a fertilized ovum reaches the uterus, it becomes implanted in the lining of the uterus, known as [[endometrium]] and a [[pregnancy]] begins.

If both participants are believed to be [[fertile]], vaginal intercourse should always be considered likely to result in pregnancy, unless reliable [[birth control]] measures are used.

== Other forms of sexual intercourse ==

===Oral sex===

{{main|Oral sex}}

'''Oral sex''' consists of all the [[Human sexual behavior|sexual activities]] that involve the use of the [[mouth]], [[tongue]], and possibly [[throat]] to stimulate [[Sex organ|genitalia]]. It is sometimes performed to the exclusion of all other forms of sexual activity. Oral sex may or may not include the ingestion or absorption of [[semen]] and/or [[Vaginal lubrication|vaginal fluids]].

=== Anal sex ===

{{main|Anal sex}}

'''Anal sex''' or '''anal intercourse''' is a form of [[human sexual behavior]]. While there are many sexual acts involving the [[anus]], anal cavity, sphincter valve and/or [[rectum]], the specific meaning describes the insertion of a man's [[penis]] into another person's rectum.

==Functions of sex beyond reproduction==

[[Image:Amazon-variant-sex-position.jpg|thumb|right|The [[woman on top sex position]] is frequently combined with kissing, caressing and embracing.]]

[[Image:Missionary_Sex_Position.png|thumb|left|The [[missionary position]] is a commonly used position for sexual intercourse in humans.]]

[[Humans]], [[bonobo]]s<ref>[[Frans de Waal]], "Bonobo Sex and Society", ''Scientific American'' (March 1995): 82-86.</ref> and notably [[dolphin]]s<ref>Dinitia Smith, "Central Park Zoo's gay penguins ignite debate", ''San Francisco Chronicle'' (February 7, 2004). Available online at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/02/07/MNG3N4RAV41.DTL.</ref> are all species known to have non-reproductive sex, apparently for the sake of pleasure. All three engage in heterosexual behaviors even when the female is not in [[estrus]], that is, at a point in her reproductive cycle suitable for successful impregnation. Likewise, all three sometimes engage in homosexual behaviors.<ref>Bruce Bagemihl, ''Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity'' (St. Martin's Press, 1999). ISBN 0-312-19239-8</ref> That is not to say that non-reproductive heterosexuality is limited to these three species; rather, they are unusual for female receptivity to sex independent of estrus.

In both humans and bonobos the female undergoes relatively [[concealed ovulation]], so that males generally do not know whether she is fertile at any given moment. There is a functional advantage to sex anytime for social reasons rather than reproductive ones.{{Fact|date=January 2007}} There is sometimes an emotional attachment between members.

Humans, bonobos and dolphins are all intelligent social animals, whose cooperative behavior proves far more successful than that of any individual alone. In these animals, the use of sex has evolved beyond reproduction to serve additional social functions. Sex reinforces intimate social bonds between individuals to form larger social structures. The resulting cooperation encourages collective tasks that promote the survival of each member of the group.

[[Alex Comfort]]{{Fact|date=January 2007}} and others {{Fact|date=January 2007}} posit three potential advantages of intercourse in humans, which are not mutually exclusive: reproductive, relational, and recreational. While the development of [[the Pill]] and other highly-effective forms of [[contraception]] in the mid- and late 20th century increased peoples' ability to segregate these three functions, they still overlap a great deal and in complex patterns. For example: A fertile couple may have intercourse while contracepting not only to experience sexual pleasure (recreational), but also as a means of emotional intimacy (relational), thus making their relationship more stable and more capable of sustaining children in the future (deferred reproductive). This same couple may emphasize different aspects of intercourse on different occasions, being playful during one episode of intercourse (recreational), experiencing deep emotional connection on another occasion (relational), and later, after discontinuing contraception, seeking to achieve pregnancy (reproductive, or more likely reproductive and relational).

==Coitus difficulties==

While well-suited for effective stimulation of the penis, coitus is much less effective at stimulating the [[clitoris]], the seat of the female orgasm, owing to its size and location well outside of the vagina. Many women, up to 70 percent<ref>Sexual Honesty, by Women, For Women, by [[Shere Hite]] (1974)</ref> rarely or never achieve orgasm during coitus without simultaneous direct stimulation of the clitoris with the fingers or a sexual implement. Most women do require such direct stimulation, and ignorance or disregard of this fact is seen as a common cause of female [[anorgasmia]].

Anorgasmia is the lack of orgasm during otherwise pleasurable stimulation. It is much more common in women than men. The condition may be related to a psychological discomfort with or aversion to sexual pleasure, or to a basic lack of knowledge of what the woman finds physically pleasing and is likely to result in orgasm. {{Fact|date=January 2007}} A sense of shame, or the feeling that she "should" be able to [[climax]] can compound the problem, along with feelings of shame on the part of her partner, who may believe that he does not excite her sufficiently. {{Fact|date=January 2007}} [[Masturbation]] is one of the best ways for a woman to explore her body and discover what feels good for her. The absence of a partner can remove the sense of performance anxiety and allow the woman to relax and enjoy. Good communication and patience are essential in helping an anorgasmic woman achieve orgasm. Whether a woman considers anorgasmia a problem or not is highly individual, though many women find it very frustrating.

Some males suffer from [[erectile dysfunction]] (ED), or [[impotence]], at least occasionally. For those whose impotence is caused by medical conditions, prescription drugs such as [[Viagra]], [[Cialis]], and [[Levitra]] are available. However, doctors caution against the unnecessary use of these drugs because they are accompanied by serious risks such as increased chance of heart attack. Moreover, using a drug to counteract the symptom — impotence — can mask the underlying problem, whether medical or psychological, causing the impotence and does not resolve it. A serious medical condition might be aggravated if left untreated.

A more common sexual disorder in males is [[premature ejaculation]] (PE). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ([[Food and Drug Administration]]) is examining the drug [[dapoxetine]] to treat premature ejaculation. In clinical trials, those with PE who took dapoxetine experienced intercourse three to four times longer before orgasm than without the drug.

The [[American Urological Association]] (AUA) estimates that premature ejaculation could affect 27 to 34 percent of men in the United States. The AUA also estimates that 10 to 12 percent of men in the United States are affected by erectile dysfunction.

[[Vaginismus]] is involuntary tensing of the pelvic floor musculature, making coitus distressing, painful, and sometimes impossible.

[[Dyspareunia]] is painful or uncomfortable intercourse which can be due to a variety of causes.

==Sexual ethics and legality==

Unlike some other sexual activities, vaginal intercourse has rarely been made [[taboo]] on [[religion|religious]] grounds or by government authorities, as procreation is inherently essential to the continuation to the species or of any particular genetic line, which is considered to be a positive factor, and indeed, enables most societies to continue in the first place. Many of the cultures that had prohibited sexual intercourse entirely no longer exist; an exception is the [[Shakers]], a sect of [[Christianity]] that has four adherents at current. There are, however, many communities within cultures that prohibit their members to engage in any form of sex, especially members of religious orders and the priesthood in the [[Roman Catholic Church]] and priests in [[Buddhist]] monasteries. Within some ideologies, coitus has been considered the only "acceptable" sexual activity. Relatively strict designations of "appropriate" and "inappropriate" sexual intercourse have been in human culture for thundreds of years. These have included prohibitions against specific [[list of sex positions|positions]], but even more often against:

*Coitus among partners who are not [[marriage|married]] (this is sometimes referred to as [[fornication]])

*Coitus where a married person has sex with someone they are not married to. (called [[adultery]] or [[extramarital sex]])

*Coitus with a close relative (called [[incest]]). This may also be called inbreeding in slang terms.

*The desire to have sex with children (called [[pedophilia]]).

Some cultures and religions also prohibit coitus during a woman's [[menstrual cycle|menstrual period]], such as [[Islam]] and [[Judaism]], wherein the main [[Hebrew bible|sacred text]] laid specific instructions for behavior during and after this period, including explicitly forbidding sexual contact.

Often a community adapts its legal definitions during [[case law]]s for settling disputes. For example, in [[2003]] the [[New Hampshire Supreme Court]] ruled that same-sex relations do not constitute ''sexual intercourse'', based on a [[1961]] definition from [[Webster's Third New International Dictionary]], in [[Blanchflower v. Blanchflower]], and thereby an accused spouse in a divorce case was found not guilty of ''adultery'' based on this technicality.

Most countries have [[age of consent]] laws specifying the minimum legal age for engaging in sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse with a person against their will, or without their [[informed consent|informed legal consent]], is referred to as [[rape]], and is considered a serious [[criminal law|crime]] in many cultures around the world, including those found in [[Europe]], northern and eastern [[Asia]], and the [[Americas]]. A consequence of this is that it may be illegal to have sex with someone who is intoxicated, because that person cannot give their informed consent. Sex, regardless of consent, with a person under the age of consent is often considered to be [[sexual assault]]. The age of consent varies from country to country and often by state or region; commonly, the age of consent is set anywhere between thirteen and eighteen years of age, with sixteen years being the most common age the law sets.

=== Religious views ===

:''Main article: [[Religious_views_on_sexual_intercourse|Religious views on Sexual Intercourse]]''

:''For a broad overview, see [[Religion and sexuality]].''

Religious views on sexual intercourse vary widely by religion. Most religions have a view that sexual intercourse should be performed only with a long-term partner, in most cases a married partner.

==See also==

{{wiktionary|sexual intercourse}}

*[[Wiktionary:WikiSaurus:sexual intercourse|Synonyms for sexual intercourse]] &ndash; the [[Wiktionary|WikiSaurus]] list of synonyms and slang words for sexual intercourse in many languages

*[[Safe sex]]

*[[Sex in space]]

*[[Sex Magic]]

*[[Sexual slang]]

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

*[[Sexology]]

*[[Orgasm]]

*[[Copulation]]

*[[Human sexual behavior]]

*[[Sexual orientation]]

**[[heterosexuality|Heterosexual]]

**[[Bisexuality|Bisexual]]

**[[homosexuality|Homosexual]]

*[[Gender identity]]

**[[Transgender]]

*[[List of sex positions]]

**[[Frot]]

**[[Tribadism]]

**[[Oral sex]]

**[[Anal sex]]

**[[Masturbation]]

**[[Mammary intercourse]]

**[[Intercrural sex]]

{{col-2}}

*[[Sexual fetishism]]

**[[BDSM]]

**[[Infantilism]]

**[[Dirty sanchez]]

*[[Sex toy]]s

**[[Pegging (sexual practice)|Pegging]]

*[[Seduction]]

*[[Sexual arousal]]

*[[Foreplay]]

*[[Biological reproduction]]

*[[Sexual dysfunction]]

**[[Anorgasmia]]

**[[Erectile dysfunction]]

*[[Human sexual response cycle]]

*[[Rape]]

*[[Teledildonics]]

{{col-end}}

==References==

<references/>

==External links==

*[http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/IES/xmain.html The International Encyclopedia of Sexuality]

* Janssen, D. F., [http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/GESUND/ARCHIV/GUS/INDEXATLAS.HTM ''Growing Up Sexually. Volume I. World Reference Atlas'']

*[http://www.nvsh.nl/skills/greatsex.htm Dutch Society for Sexual Reform] article on "sex without intercourse"

* [http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/section7/index.html UK legal guidance for prosecutors concerning sexual acts]

*[http://www.abouthealth.com/parent_topic_dialogue.cfm?Parent_Excerpt_ID=23&Topic_Title=3 Resources for parents to talk about sexual intercourse to their children]

*[http://www.ppacca.org/site/pp.asp?c=kuJYJeO4F&b=139496 Planned Parenthood information on sexual intercourse]

*[http://www.healthcentral.com/mhc/top/003157.cfm Medical Resources related to sexual intercourse]

* W. W. Schultz, P. van Andel, I. Sabelis, E. Mooyaart. [http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/319/7225/1596 Magnetic resonance imaging of male and female genitals during coitus and female sexual arousal.] ''BMJ'' 1999;319:1596-1600 (18 December).

*[http://www.amadelio.com/amadelio_vlog/archiv/archiv_vlog_rel/vlog_2006_mcbride.htm Interview with Will McBride about the famous sex-educational book "Show me", by amadelio, 2006]

[[Category:Biological reproduction]]

[[Category:Human sexuality]]

[[Category:Leisure activities]]

[[Category:Interpersonal relationships]]

[[Category:Sexology]]

[[Category:Sexual acts]]

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