Table of Contents
Overview of Types of Sex
Intimate relationships are personal relationships that involve different levels of life sharing. The term “intimacy” refers to a strong physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and/or social closeness or connection. Intimate relationships may or may not include sexual intimacy.
Healthy intimate relationships can have a positive effect on all aspects of life and unhealthy relationships can have a negative impact on well-being. Intimacy depends on and can be influenced by several factors, including the following:
- Familiarity
- Feelings (e.g., affection, caring, concern, love [passionate love, romantic love, compassionate love])
- Freedom from fear, coercion, or intimidation
- Honesty
- Open communication
- Respect
- Security
- Trust
Intimate personal relationships often include talking and sharing feelings, spending time with each other, and participating in common interests and activities together. Touching (e.g., holding hands, embracing, snuggling, fondling) and kissing, as well as sexual intercourse, can all be part of sexual intimacy.
Types of sex include oral sex, vaginal sex, and anal sex. When an intimate relationship includes types of low-risk sexual behavior, such as open-mouth kissing, and/or high-risk sexual behavior, such as oral sex, vaginal sex, or anal sex, it is important to practice safer sex. Safer sex reduces the risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unintentional pregnancy and is a crucial part of staying healthy.
In addition to touching and kissing, sexual intimacy may be expressed through the following:
Types of Sex – Oral Sex
Oral sex involves using the mouth, including the lips, tongue, and teeth, to stimulate a sexual partner’s genitals (i.e., his or her external reproductive organs). Kissing, licking, sucking, nibbling, and blowing are common.
Oral sex is performed by heterosexual couples, by men who have sex with men (MSM), and by women who have sex with women (WSW). When oral sex is performed on a male, it is called fellatio (pronounced fĕl-ā’-shē-ō) and when it’s performed on a femaile, it is called cunnilingus (pronounced kŭn-ĭ-lĭn-gŭs).
The mouth is used to stimulate the penis and scrotum during fellatio. Cunnilingus is a technique that involves using the mouth to stimulate the vulva, clitoris, and vaginal opening. Oral sex that involves the anus is called analingus (pronounced ān-ă- lĭn-gŭs).
Oral sex is an important part of many healthy sexual relationships; however, as with other sexual behaviors, it is important to practice safer oral sex to reduce the risk for sexually transmitted disease (STD) and HIV/AIDS.
Safer oral sex practices involve the following:
- Avoid oral sex when there are open sores (e.g., cold sores), cuts, or broken skin in the mouth or the genital area
- Avoid oral sex when one partner has an active sexually transmitted infection (e.g., genital herpes, genital warts)
- Wait at least 30 minutes after brushing the teeth, flossing the teeth, or having dental work (including dental cleanings) before performing oral sex (brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings can cause gum irritation and bleeding)
- Wear a latex condom (flavored condoms are available), female condom, or a dental dam (flat, latex barrier worn in the mouth)
- Prior to ejaculation, remove the penis from the sexual partner’s mouth.
Oral sex between consenting sexual partners often is extremely pleasurable and satisfying. In fact, cunilingus gives precisely the appropriate amount of stimulation to induce orgasm in many women. Oral intercourse does not increase the risk of pregnancy.
Open communication is an important part of any sexual relationship, including relationships that involve oral sex. Many men and women enjoy performing and receiving oral sex, but serious problems can develop in the relationship if one partner enjoys oral sex and the other does not. Sex therapists can help couples resolve a number of sexual issues, including issues involving oral sex.
Types of Sex – Vaginal Sex
Vaginal sex (also known as coitus or vaginal intercourse) is the insertion of the male sex organ (penis) into the female sex organ (vagina).In sexually reproducing species, such as humans, vaginal intercourse is the most common technique of creating children.
In people who have sexual relationships with members of the opposite gender (i.e., heterosexuals), vaginal sex is the most common type of sexual intercourse. Other types of vaginal sex include cunnilingus (oral sex performed on a woman), vagina-to-vagina sex (in women who have sex with women [WSW]), finger(s)-to-vagina sex (also called digital stimulation), and vaginal sex involving sex toys (e.g., vibrators, dildos).
Couples who engage in vaginal sex should be sure to practice safer sex. This sexual behaviour has the potential to spread sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as HIV/AIDS. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sexual intercourse is the most common method of HIV transmission in many parts of the world.
The only way to avoid pregnancy and prevent the spread of STDs (e.g., genital herpes, genital warts, HIV) with certainty is to refrain from having sexual intercourse (called abstinence).
The safest sex is between uninfected people who have never had another sexual partner. Before engaging in vaginal intercourse, couples should be open and honest about their sexual and medical histories.
To reduce the risk for STDs and help avoid pregnancy, a latex condom with a water-based lubricant (e.g., KY Jelly) should be used for sexual intercourse. Condoms reduce the risk for STD transmission and for pregnancy, but they are not 100 percent effective. If pregnancy is not intended, safer vaginal intercourse also includes the use of alternative kinds of contraception (e.g., birth control tablets).
Many heterosexual couples consider vaginal intercourse to be the most intimate, pleasurable, and satisfying sexual behavior. Other types of sexual activity (e.g., deep kissing, manual stimulation, oral sex) often are considered foreplay—sexual behavior that occurs prior to and leads up to sexual intercourse.
The structure of the male and female reproductive organs (genitals) and the sexual response cycle make vaginal intercourse possible. When a male becomes sexually aroused (stimulated), tissues in the penis become filled with blood causing the organ to become stiff and hard. This procedure, known as an erection, permits the man’s penis to enter the woman’s vagina. When a woman becomes sexually aroused, the vagina becomes lubricated to make this penetration easier.
Couples can have vaginal intercourse in several different positions. Common positions include either the man or the woman lying on top of and facing his or her partner. This position may add to the intimacy of sexual intercourse.
During sex, the couple usually moves in a way that causes the penis to slide in and out within the vagina, resulting in sensations that are pleasing to both the man and the woman. These sensations often lead to male ejaculation (ejection of semen from the penis) and also may lead to male and female orgasm (sexual response characterized by the release of sexual tension).
When a sexually mature man and a sexually mature woman have vaginal sex, a male sex cell (sperm) may unite with a female sex cell (egg) and result in pregnancy. In some cases, pregnancy can occur even if the man does not ejaculate inside the woman’s vagina. For example, ejaculation that occurs close enough to the vaginal opening may allow semen to enter the vagina and result in pregnancy.
Types of Sex – Anal Sex
The anus is the lowest section of the colon’s (rectum) exit. It is placed in the crease between the buttocks and serves as the exit point for faecal particles from the body. The anus is a sexual organ for many men and women.
Anal sex may involve the following:
- Insertion of the male sex organ (penis), fingers, or sex devices (such as a vibrator or dildo) into the anus.
- Stimulation of the anus using the mouth (called analingus), fingers, or sex toys
- To provide sexual arousal, an enema (injection of fluid into the rectum through the anus) is used.
Maintaining anal health is important for all men and women who practice anal sex, including heterosexual men and women, men who have sex with men (MSM), women who have sex with women (WSW), and bisexuals (people who have sex with both men and women). Anal intercourse is the primary method of sexual intercourse in men who are homosexual (i.e., gay).
Unprotected anal intercourse (i.e., sex without the use of a condom) is considered to be a high-risk sexual behavior. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV/AIDS can be transferred during anal intercourse. People who participate in any type of anal sexual activity should be sure to practice safer anal sex.
Safer anal sex involves using a latex condom for anal intercourse and a water-based lubricant for sexual activity that involves penetration of the anus. Also, the anus should be gently cleansed prior to anal sex and sexual partners should avoid contact between any object that has had contact with the anal area (for example, fingers, penis, sex toy) as well as the mouth or vagina.
Anal sex can result in injury to the anus and surrounding tissue and can cause pain, increase the risk for infection (e.g., sexually transmitted diseases, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA]), and impair function of the rectum and anus.
Anal intercourse can increase the risk for anal fissures (small tears in the skin of the anus) and can worsen hemorrhoids (enlarged veins in the anus). Men and women who practice anal sex also are at increased risk for anal cancer.
The anal area contains a number of nerve endings, and many men and women find stimulation of this area pleasurable. However, not every person enjoys anal sex. As with any aspect of a healthy relationship, open communication and respect regarding anal sex is important between sexual partners.
Types of Sexual Aids & Sex Toys
Types of sexual aids and sex toys include the following:
- Beads, balls, and exercisers (e.g., Ben Wa balls, anal beads, Kegel exercisers)
- Blindfolds
- Clamps (e.g., nipple clamps)
- Collars and harnesses
- Condom rings (e.g., to provide clitoral stimulation)
- Costumes and masks
- Dildos and strap-on devices
- Feathers
- Nipple suction devices
- Paddles
- Personal lubricants, massage oils and lotions, and warming gels
- Personal massagers (e.g., vibrators)
- Plugs (e.g., anal plugs)
- Pumps (e.g., penile pumps)
- Restraints (e.g., handcuffs, bondage cuffs)
- Sex dolls
- Sex furniture (e.g., slings, swings, cushions, pillows)
- Sleeves (e.g., to accept a penis to simulate sexual intercourse)
- Whips
Sex toys can be made from several different materials, including plastic, vinyl, silicone, rubber (e.g., latex), and glass. Adult toys made from non-porous materials, such as silicone and glass, often are more durable and can be cleaned and sterilized more easily than other materials. Sex toys made from rubber can be damaged by exposure to certain lubricants (e.g., oil-based products) and cleaning solutions.
Sexual aids should be labeled, “hypoallergenic” to reduce the risk for an allergic reaction. Allergy symptoms include the following:
- Cough and congestion (stuffy nose)
- Difficulty breathing
- Itching and redness of the skin (e.g., rash, hives), eyes, throat, or genital area
- Nausea and vomiting
- Wheezing
Latex allergies can be severe and may cause a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis. Contact a health care provider immediately if exposure to any product results in difficulty breathing, dizziness, confusion, or increased heart rate.
Source url
- https://www.allohealth.care/healthfeed/sexual-wellness/how-many-types-of-sex
- https://www.thrillist.com/sex-dating/nation/types-different-ways-to-have-sex-ranked
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/types-of-sexuality
