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There are a number of risks involved with having sexual intercourse:
- Pregnancy - if a couple has unprotected sex, then the female is at risk of becoming pregnant. Although pregnancy is seen by many as the main function of sexual intercourse, some couples may not be ready to have a baby (especially younger couples).
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases - possibly life threatening diseases can be spread through sexual intercourse.
- Religion - some religious people prefer not to have sex until they are married.
Editors: Karene Jade Howie
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Sexual Intercourse: Noun
Heterosexual human sexual intercourse (also called coitus, or copulation) involves inserting the man's erect penis into a woman's vagina. 'Coitus' derives from the Latin 'coire', which means 'to go together'. The purpose of this act may be for reproduction, or for pleasure and the expression of intimacy and love.
Sexual intercourse can also be broadly defined as "any communication between persons that involves a sexual response." [1] Oral sex, anal sex and other non penetrative sex may be included in this definition of 'having sex'.
Typically, foreplay before sexual intercourse (behaviour such as kissing, cuddling, fondling) leads to sexual arousal in which the man's penis becomes erect and the woman's vagina naturally lubricates. The penis then enters the vagina and both partners move their hips and bodies in a mutually satisfying manner. The man may thrust his penis in and out of the vagina. This generally leads to orgasm and the male ejaculation of semen.
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Through the act of sexual intercourse, reproduction may be successful if the male orgasms and ejaculates semen into the woman's vagina. Semen is composed of sperm (male gametes) and seminal fluid from the seminal vesicles, Cowper's glands and the prostate. "Ejaculate can contain hundreds of millions of sperm, yet the vast majority will fail to reach the female's ova. Typically only between 2 and 20 sperm get anywhere near the female's eggs." [2]
Once inside the woman's vagina, sperm may then be transported up through the cervix and uterus to the fallopian tubes.
"Muscles placed strategically along the female's duct system, underpin her ability to move sperm. Waves of muscular contraction (predominately moving in the direction of her uterus) typically force sperm along the reproductive tract. Also manipulating the movement of sperm is the absorption and secretion of vaginal and cervical gland fluids. These female fluids can sometimes smooth the sperm's passage, but can also coagulate and accumulate, effectively smothering sperm. The net result from a female perspective, is a finely tuned transport system." [2]
If an female ovum has been released (ovulation), the male gamete may join with the ovum and fertilisation occurs. The fertilised egg then travels to the uterus, where if it embeds on the uterine lining, will develop into a fetus and pregnancy begins.
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The following are principal reasons for having sexual intercourse:
- Procreation - to have children.
- Pleasure - sexual intercourse can be an enjoyable practice for partners.
- Couple Bonding - To share intimacy, love, strengthen relationship.
- Health Benefits - Mental and physical health, stimulation of Immune System, Hormone function.
- Peer Pressure - people are sometimes pressured into sexual intercourse in order to lose their virginity.
- For money - some engage in prostitution as a means to income.
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