Vaginal Sex

Vaginal sex is when one partner inserts their penis (or a sex toy) into a woman's vagina. Without proper safe-sex practices (such as the use of a condom), vaginal sex can lead not only to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) but also pregnancy.

Oral Sex

Oral sex is when one partner uses their mouth to stimulate the genitals of their partner. Oral sex can be performed on both men and women. "Giving head," "going down" on someone, or giving someone a "blow job" are all oral sex.

Anal Sex

Anal sex is when one partner inserts their penis (or a sex toy) into the anus of the other partner. Without the use of a condom, anal sex can lead to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially because the walls of the rectum are fragile. Without lubrication and proper "warm-up," the walls of the rectum can tear easily, making it easier for infections to spread.

Masturbation

Masturbation is the act of pleasuring oneself--using your hands or a sex toy to stimulate the genitals, often to achieve orgasm. Both men and women masturbate.

Abstinence

Abstinence is a tricky concept, because it means different things to everyone (just as virginity does). Basically, abstinence means refraining from sexual activity, but this can range from not having vaginal sex (but still having, say, oral sex) to not masturbating or not touching a partner in intimate ways (for example, on the breasts or penis). If you have had sex in the past, you can still choose to be abstinent in the future.

Virginity

In theory, virginity is a simple idea. Virginity is the state of not having had sex; a virgin is someone who hasn't had sex. But what counts as "having sex"--is it oral sex? vaginal sex? anal sex? Most people define it as not having had penis-vagina sex, though this definition doesn't work for everyone--a gay man, for example, is probably never going to have penis-vagina sex.

Orgasm

Orgasm is a physical response, usually to stimulation of the genitals or other sensitive regions. It is a feeling of intense physical pleasure that occurs in both men and women. In men, it usually results in ejaculation, and can be a result of oral, vaginal, or anal sex, as well as masturbation. In women, the physical effects of orgasm are usually less obvious; when some women achieve orgasm (or "come") they ejaculate, but this is not very common. Women usually come through stimulation of the clitoris, and sometimes through stimulation of the "G-spot" on the walls of the vagina. But since most women come through clitoral stimulation, vaginal sex often does NOT bring about an orgasm; the clitoris may also be stimulated by the hand or a vibrator or other sex toy.

Foreplay

Foreplay is a set of acts that increase sexual arousal between sexual partners. It can range from talking dirty to holding hands, from kissing to sexual stimulation like oral sex or manual sex (using the hands, for example, a hand job). It can be loosely described as whatever leads up to sexual intercourse, as a sort of "warm-up," though it does NOT have to lead to intercourse. Other examples of foreplay include massage, intimate touch, French kissing, stripping, and even putting on a condom!

Safer Sex

When you practice safe sex, you are following common sense precautions that reduce the risk of pregnancy and STIs. Most basic is using a condom for all sexual intercourse (oral, anal, and vaginal) or a dental dam (which can be made from a condom) when performing oral sex on a woman. Using a condom puts a barrier between bodily fluids, so that diseases (or sperm) can't transmit from one person to another. Condoms cannot protect against ALL sexually transmitted diseases, however! That's why it's important for sexually active people to get regular STD tests, and to get proper treatment when needed. It's also a good idea for women who are sexually active to get some form of birth control (such as the pill or the ring) to further reduce the risk of pregnancy. If a woman DOES have unprotected sex, she can also look into emergency birth control (but it doesn't work as well if used a lot). Another very important safe sex practice is talking to your partner! Have they been checked for STDs recently? Have you? Communication is an important part of safe sex, from talking about what is comfortable for your partner and how far to go to talking about putting on a condom and taking birth control. It may feel embarrassing, but it's important to take care of yourself and make sure that both you and your partner remain healthy and safe.