Sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourseSexual intercourseSexual act in which the penis penetrates (enters) the vagina or anus.Read more is sexSexAll acts that can sexually arouse you. Sex is more than sexual intercourse.…Read more with penetrationPenetrationPutting a part of your body (penis, finger, etc.) or an object into…Read more of the vaginaVaginaPart of the inner sexual organs of a woman. The vagina connects the…Read more or anusAnusOpening between the buttocks where faeces leave the body.Read more by a hard penisPenisMale sexual organ. The penis is used for sex (ejaculation) or to urinate.Read more.
Penetration of the vagina
A man who is aroused can get an erectionErectionA hard penis. A man gets an erection when he is sexually aroused…Read more. The penis swells with bloodBloodRed fluid that has important functions in the body, for example: carrying oxygen…Read more. It gets bigger and harder and it rises up.
A woman who is aroused gets a wet vagina. This helps the penis to enter the vagina.
The woman can get pregnant only if:
- the man’s semenSemenThick white fluid that comes out of a man's penis when he ejaculates.…Read more enters the woman’s vagina and uterusUterusOrgan in a woman's belly in which a foetus can grow.Read more and if
- the woman is in her fertile period of the month.
If you do not have a desire to have childrenDesire to have childrenWanting to have a child. Some people have a very strong desire to…Read more at the moment, use contraception.
Man and woman having sexual intercourse. The focus is on the penis penetrating the vagina.
Detail of the penis inside the vagina seen from the inside.
Detail of the penis inside the vagina seen from the inside. Semen is leaving the penis and entering the uterus.
Penetration of the anus
A man and a woman, or 2 men, can have sexSexThe biological fact of being a woman (girl) or a man (boy). Sometimes,…Read more with penetration of the anus.
A woman cannot get pregnant through penetration of the anus. However, make sure that semen does not enter the vagina.
Sexual intercourse example: 2 men lying on their sides. One is lying behind the other.
Reasons for sexual intercourse
You can have sexual intercourse for different reasons, for example because you want to:
- have children (only through penetration of the vagina);
- experience sexual pleasure;
- express loveLoveStrong feeling of connection, respect, intimacy and commitment for another person. People have…Read more and other emotions;
- experience intimacyIntimacyClose bond. Respectful and tender care for each other. Intimacy can be physical,…Read more;
- relax.
Sexual intercourse during the menstrual period
Some women want to have sexual intercourse during their menstrual period, others do not. A woman can have sexual intercourse during her menstrual period if she wants to. It will not lead to hygieneHygieneHygiene means keeping the body clean. It reduces the risk of becoming ill.Read more problems.
Variation
You do not need to have an orgasm each time you have sex. Many people do not always have an orgasmOrgasmThe height of sexual arousal. It is an intensely pleasant feeling. All your…Read more.
You can have sexual intercourse in various positions: lying, sitting, standing or crouching.
There are other ways of having sex, besides sexual intercourse.
Talk with your partner about your desires and feelings. Together you can decide what is good sex for both of you.
Sexual intercourse example 1: The man lies on top of woman. The woman spreads her legs.
Sexual intercourse example 2: The woman is on her hand and knees. The man sits on his knees behind her.
Sexual intercourse example 3: The man is standing. The woman stands against him. The man holds one of her legs up.
Sexual intercourse example 4: The man and woman lie on their sides, the man is behind the woman.
Sexual intercourse example 5: The woman sits on top of the man.
Protection against STIs and HIVHIVA virus (human immunodeficiency virus) that affects the natural immune system. When someone…Read more
You can get STIs and HIV through sexual intercourse. You can use a condom to protect yourself and your partnerPartnerPerson you are in a relationship with.Read more.
A condom