Sexual intercourse

This article is primarily about humans. For other animals, see Animal sexual behaviour. For other uses, see Sex (disambiguation).
"Copulation" redirects here. For copulation among other animals, see Copulation (zoology). For the biological functions of sexual intercourse, see Penile-vaginal intercourse.

Sexual intercourse in the missionary position depicted by Édouard-Henri Avril (1892)

Sexual intercourse (also coitus or copulation) is a sexual activity typically involving the insertion and thrusting of the male penis inside the female vagina for sexual pleasure, reproduction, or both.[1] This is also known as vaginal intercourse or vaginal sex.[2][3] Sexual penetration has been known by humans since the dawn of time, and has been an instinctive form of sexual behaviour and psychology among humans. Other forms of penetrative sexual intercourse include anal sex (penetration of the anus by the penis), oral sex (penetration of the mouth by the penis or oral penetration of the female genitalia), fingering (sexual penetration by the fingers) and penetration by use of a dildo (especially a strap-on dildo), and vibrators.[4][5] These activities involve physical intimacy between two or more people and are usually used among humans solely for physical or emotional pleasure. They can contribute to human bonding.[4][6]

There are different views on what constitutes sexual intercourse or other sexual activity, which can impact on views of sexual health.[7] Although sexual intercourse, particularly the term coitus, generally denotes penile–vaginal penetration and the possibility of creating offspring,[1] it also commonly denotes penetrative oral sex and penile–anal sex, especially the latter.[8] It usually encompasses sexual penetration, while non-penetrative sex has been labeled outercourse,[9] but non-penetrative sex may also be considered sexual intercourse.[4][10] Sex, often a shorthand for sexual intercourse, can mean any form of sexual activity.[7] Because people can be at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections during these activities, safer sex practices are recommended by health professionals to reduce transmission risk.[11][12]

Various jurisdictions place restrictions on certain sexual acts, such as adultery, incest, sexual activity with minors, prostitution, rape, zoophilia, sodomy, premarital sex and extramarital sex. Religious beliefs also play a role in personal decisions about sexual intercourse or other sexual activity, such as decisions about virginity,[13][14] or 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 called copulation, and sperm may be introduced into the female's reproductive tract in non-vaginal ways among the animals, such as by cloacal 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.[15][16] However, bonobos, dolphins and chimpanzees are known to engage in sexual intercourse regardless of whether the female is in estrus, and to engage in sex acts with same-sex partners.[17] 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.[18]

  1. ^ a b Sexual intercourse most commonly means penile–vaginal penetration for sexual pleasure or sexual reproduction; dictionary sources state that it especially means this, and scholarly sources over the years agree. See, for example;
    • "Sexual intercourse". Dictionary.com. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
    • "Sexual intercourse". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
    • Richard M. Lerner; Laurence Steinberg (2004). Handbook of Adolescent Psychology. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 193–196. ISBN 978-0-471-69044-3. Retrieved April 29, 2013. When researchers use the term sex, they nearly always mean sexual intercourse – more specifically, penile–vaginal intercourse. [...] The widespread, unquestioned equation of penile–vaginal intercourse with sex reflects a failure to examine systematically 'whether the respondent's understanding of the question matches what the researcher had in mind.'
    • Fedwa Malti-Douglas (2007). Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender: A-C. Macmillan Reference. p. 308. ISBN 978-0-02-865961-9. Sexual intercourse. [T]he term coitus indicates a specific act of sexual intercourse that also is known as coition or copulation. This 'coming together' is generally understood in heteronormative terms as the penetration of a woman's vagina by a man's penis.
    • Irving B. Weiner; W. Edward Craighead (2010). The Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology. Vol. 4. John Wiley & Sons. p. 1577. ISBN 978-0-470-17023-6. Retrieved August 21, 2013. Human sexual intercourse, or coitus, is one of the most common sexual outlets among adults. Sexual intercourse generally refers to penile penetration of the vagina.
    • Clint E. Bruess; Elizabeth Schroeder (2013). Sexuality Education Theory and Practice. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. p. 152. ISBN 978-1-4496-4928-9. Retrieved December 5, 2014. In many cultures around the world, vaginal sex is what is usually implied when people refer to 'having sex' or 'sexual intercourse.' It is the most frequently studied behavior and is often the focus of sexuality education programming for youth.
    • Cecie Starr; Beverly McMillan (2015). Human Biology. Cengage Learning. p. 339. ISBN 978-1-305-44594-9. Retrieved December 27, 2017. Coitus and copulation are both technical terms for sexual intercourse. The male sex act involves an erection, in which the limp penis stiffens and lengthens. It also involves ejaculation, the forceful expulsion of semen into the urethra and out from the penis. [...] During coitus, pelvic thrusts stimulate the penis as well as the female's clitoris and vaginal wall. The stimulation triggers rhythmic, involuntary contractions in smooth muscle in the male reproductive tract, especially the vas deferens and the prostate. The contractions rapidly force sperm out of each epididymis. They also force the contents of seminal vesicles and the prostate gland into the urethra. The resulting mixture, semen, is ejaculated into the vagina.
    • Janell L. Carroll (2018). Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity. Cengage Learning. p. 289. ISBN 978-1-337-67206-1. Retrieved November 22, 2019. Vaginal intercourse (also referred to as sexual intercourse) involves inserting the penis into the vagina.
  2. ^ Alters S (2012). Essential Concepts for Healthy Living. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. pp. 180–181. ISBN 978-1-4496-3062-1. Most heterosexuals are familiar with the notion of 'having sex' or sexual intercourse as vaginal sex, the insertion of a penis into a vagina. Vaginal sex, or coitus, is the most common and popular form of intimate sexual activity between partners.
  3. ^ Carroll JL (2018). Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity. Cengage Learning. p. 289. ISBN 978-1-337-67206-1. Vaginal intercourse (also referred to as sexual intercourse) involves inserting the penis into the vagina.
  4. ^ a b c "Sexual Intercourse". Discovery Health. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008. Retrieved January 12, 2008.
  5. ^ Rathus SA, Nevid JS, Rathus LF (2010). Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity. Allyn & Bacon. p. 251. ISBN 978-0-205-78606-0.
  6. ^ Freberg L (2009). Discovering Biological Psychology. Cengage Learning. pp. 308–310. ISBN 978-0-547-17779-3.
  7. ^ a b "Defining sexual health: Report of a technical consultation on sexual health" (PDF). World Health Organization. January 2002. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 6, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2012. In English, the term 'sex' is often used to mean 'sexual activity' and can cover a range of behaviours. Other languages and cultures use different terms, with slightly different meanings.
  8. ^ * "Sexual Intercourse". Discovery.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008. Retrieved January 12, 2008.
    • Nancy W. Denney; David Quadagno (2008). Human Sexuality. Mosby-Year Book. p. 273. ISBN 978-0-8016-6374-1. Although the term intercourse is usually used to refer to the insertion of the penis into the vagina, it is also used to refer to oral intercourse or anal intercourse in which the penis is inserted into the mouth or the anus, respectively.
  9. ^
  10. ^ Kahn AP, Fawcett J (2008). The Encyclopedia of Mental Health. Infobase Publishing. p. 111. ISBN 978-0-8160-6454-0.
  11. ^ Hales D (2008). An Invitation to Health Brief 2010–2011. Cengage Learning. pp. 269–271. ISBN 978-0-495-39192-0.
  12. ^ Kumar B, Gupta S (2014). Sexually Transmitted Infections. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 93. ISBN 978-81-312-2978-1.
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference Carpenter was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Strong B, DeVault C, Cohen TF (2010). The Marriage and Family Experience: Intimate Relationship in a Changing Society. Cengage Learning. p. 186. ISBN 978-0-534-62425-5. Retrieved October 8, 2011. Most people agree that we maintain virginity as long as we refrain from sexual (vaginal) intercourse. But occasionally we hear people speak of 'technical virginity' [...] Data indicate that 'a very significant proportion of teens ha[ve] had experience with oral sex, even if they haven't had sexual intercourse, and may think of themselves as virgins' [...] Other research, especially research looking into virginity loss, reports that 35% of virgins, defined as people who have never engaged in vaginal intercourse, have nonetheless engaged in one or more other forms of heterosexual sexual activity (e.g., oral sex, anal sex, or mutual masturbation).
  15. ^ Michael Kent (2000). Advanced biology. Oxford University Press. pp. 250–253. ISBN 978-0-19-914195-1. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  16. ^ Showick Thorpe; Edgar Thorpe (2009). The Pearson General Studies Manual 2009, 1/e. Pearson Education India. p. 1.79. ISBN 978-81-317-2133-9. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  17. ^
  18. ^ Balcombe, Jonathan (2006). Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and the Nature of Feeling Good. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 106–118. ISBN 978-0-230-55227-2.