Physiology of

Human Sexual Intercourse

-the act oI inserting the erect penis oI the male into the
vagina oI the Iemale Ior reproduction/ and also Ior
sexual enioyment.
The terms "sexual intercourse" and "coitus" are used in
reIerence to people. The term Ior the higher vertebrates
and some other animals is "copulation". Many higher
vertebrates animals (reptiles, birds. dogIish) reproduce
internally, but their Iertilization is in the cloacae. Other
animals, such as catIish and most amphibians reproduce
sexually but rely on external Iertilization/ rather than
copulation.
Sexual intercourse
%he Act of Sexual Intercourse
-Sexual intercourse is usually preceded by
Ioreplay which leads to sexual arousal oI
the partners, resulting in erection oI the
penis and natural lubrication oI the vagina.
The erect penis is inserted into the vagina
and one or both oI the partners move back
and Iorth to stimulate themselves and each
other usually to the point oI eiaculation and
orgasm.
Sexual Intercourse Positions
-Sexual intercourse may be performed in a wide list of
sex positions, the most common ones being:
The woman lying on her back, the man on top and facing
her ("missionary position")
The woman on hands and knees, the man kneeling
behind her ("doggy style" or in Latin ''coitus more
ferarum''/"sex in the manner of beasts")
The man on his back or sitting, the woman kneeling or
squatting on top (slang "cowgirl sex position") if the
woman faces the man or "reverse cowgirl sex position(if
the woman faces away from him)
Both partners lying on their sides, the man entering from
the front ("side-by-side position")
Both partners lying on their sides, the man entering from
behind ("spoons sex position/ spooning")
Sexual intercourse:
Biology of conception
-Coitus is the basic reproductive method oI ''Homo sapiens'' as oI all
mammals. During eiaculation, which normally accompanies the
male orgasm, a series oI muscular contractions delivers semen
containing male gametes known as sperm cells or spermatozoa into
the vault oI the vagina. The subsequent route oI the sperm Irom the
vault oI the vagina, is through the cervix and into the uterus, and
thence into the Iallopian tubes. When a Iertile ovum Irom the Iemale
is present in the Iallopian tubes, the male gamete ioins with the
ovum resulting in Iertilization and the Iormation oI a new embryo.
When a Iertilized ovum reaches the uterus, it becomes implanted in
the lining oI the uterus and pregnancy begins.
Sexual intercourse should always be considered likely
to result in pregnancy unless adequate contraceptive
(birth control) measures are in Iorce. Even then,
pregnancy should be considered a possible outcome oI
the activity since no birth control measure is 100
eIIective. Coitus interruptus, or "withdrawal" oI the
penis Irom the vagina iust beIore the man`s orgasm,
cannot be considered an eIIective method oI
contraception and is not recommended.
Sexual abstinence -abstinence Irom heterosexual sexual
intercourse is the only 100 eIIective way to avoid
pregnancy. Outercourse, in which there is sexual
activity without insertion, can be perIormed without
resulting in pregnancy provided that semen does not
come in contact with the vulva.
Problems of intercourse
-Many males suIIer Irom erectile dysIunction, or
impotence, at least occasionally. Some men also have
dysIunction with orgasm in intercourse, called
anorgasmia. Anorgasmia is much more common in
women, however, and usually needs attention Irom both
partners over a long time span to solve. Many women,
especially younger women and women with relatively
little sexual experience, experience diIIiculty achieving
orgasm or may be unable to achieve orgasm. Vaginismus
is involuntary tensing oI the pelvic Iloor musculature,
making coitus distressing or impossible. Dyspareunia is
painIul or uncomIortable intercourse; it can be due to a
variety oI reasons.
Sexually transmitted diseases (S%
-Sexual intercourse, like other sexual activities that
involve the possibility oI transIer oI body Iluids, is also a
means oI propagating sexually transmitted diseases.
Health care proIessionals suggest that condoms should be
used to lessen the risk oI contracting STDs, but they
should by no means be considered an absolute saIeguard.
The best suggestion is to avoid sexual intercourse with
anyone known to have a sexually transmissible disease,
and, indeed, with anyone whose disease-negative status is
in doubt.
Sexual intercourse:Morality and legality
-Various laws, moral rules and taboos surround sexual
intercourse. Unlike some other sexual activities, sexual
intercourse itselI has rarely been made taboo on religious
grounds or by government authorities. It is believed that all
oI the cultures that prohibited sexual intercourse entirely
no longer exist, save the Shakers, a sect oI Christianity,
which has very Iew adherents. Within some ideologies,
coitus has been considered the only "acceptable" sexual
activity. Relatively strict designations oI "appropriate" and
"inappropriate" sexual intercourse have been almost
universal in human societies.
These have included prohibitions against speciIic list oI
sex positions, against intercourse among partners who are
not married (this is called Iornication) or are married, but
not to each other (called adultery), against sexual
intercourse with a close relative (called incest), and
against intercourse during a woman`s menstrual period.
Most countries have age oI consent laws speciIying the
minimum legal age Ior engaging in sexual intercourse.
Sexual intercourse with a person against their will, or
without their inIormed consent inIormed legal consent, is
called rape and is considered a serious criminal law crime
in most cultures.
Birth ControI
hat is birth control?
-Birth control, also called contraception, is any
method used to prevent pregnancy. t allows
you to choose whether or when to have a child.
Most women can become pregnant from the
age when they start their menstrual periods
until their late 40s or early 50s. During the
many years before menopause, using birth
control is key to avoiding an unplanned
pregnancy.
hich birth controI method
shouId I use?
-There are many different kinds
of birth control. Each has its
own pros and cons. Learning
about all the methods will help
you find the one that is right for
you.
;,iI,bIe methods incIude:
-Hormon,I methods such ,s the birth controI piII ("the
PiII"), shot, skin p,tch, ,nd ;,in,I rin The
intr,uterine de;ice (IUD) cont,ins , hormone Hormone
birth controI works ;ery weII It pre;ents pren,ncy by
stoppin monthIy e production It c,n ,Iso reIie;e
he,;y periods ,nd cr,mpin
O Intr,uterine de;ices (IUDs) n IUD is pI,ced in the
uterus throuh the ;,in, ,nd cer;ix The IUD
interferes with , sperm ,s it tries to re,ch ,nd fertiIize
,n e It c,n ,Iso stop , fertiIized e from impI,ntin
,nd rowin into ,n embryo IUDs work ;ery weII for 5
to 10 ye,rs ,t , time, ,nd ,re f,r s,fer th,n they were
dec,des ,o The hormon,I IUD c,n ,Iso heIp with
he,;y periods ,nd cr,mpin
O -B,rrier methods, such as condoms, diaphragms, cervical
caps, Lea's Shield, sponges, and spermicides. n general,
barrier methods are less effective than UDs or hormonal
methods. To make a barrier work as well as possible, you use it
with a spermicide. This kills any sperm that get past the barrier,
before they can travel through the cervix. Unless you know that
your sexual partner does not have any sexually transmitted
diseases (STDs), use a condom every time you have sex.
O -ertiIity ,w,reness (natural family planning), such as the calendar
method. Natural family planning can work well if you and your partner are
very careful. However, do not use fertility awareness if you need highly
dependable pregnancy prevention. First, you pinpoint your fertile times of the
month. (This means charting your body's "fertile" signs and your basal body
temperature daily for at least 2 months.) On fertile days, you must not have
sex or you must use a birth control method. f you are a sexually active teen
or are not able to predict when you are fertile, you cannot count on fertility
awareness to prevent pregnancy.
O -Perm,nent birth controI, such as
vasectomy or tubal ligation surgery, gives
you permanent protection against
pregnancy. (On rare occasion, vasectomy or
tubal ligation does fail to prevent
pregnancy.) However, it is only a good
option if you are absolutely sure that you will
never want to conceive a pregnancy.
ifestyIe
hen choosing a method, first consider how well it works
and whether it fits your lifestyle. For example, if you are a
single woman who has no plans to raise a child on your
own, you will want to use a highly effective birth control
method.
uture fertiIity
hen deciding about birth control, think about how soon, if
ever, you would like to start a family. Although you can
become pregnant after stopping any birth control method
(or forgetting a few days of pills), some women take
several months to become pregnant after using Depo-
Provera shots or high-dose birth control pills.
Do he,Ith f,ctors Iimit
some birth controI
options?
-Some birth control methods may not
be right for you if you have certain
health problems or other risk factors.
To make sure a method is safe for
you, tell your health professional
about whether you smoke or have
any health problems
WHigh blood pressure.
WBlood clots (deep vein thrombosis) in your
personal or family history.
WMigraine headaches.
WHeart disease.
WHigh triglyceride levels.
WDiabetes with complications.
WSexually transmitted disease (STD)
infection.
WA history of breast cancer.
hich methods cost the Ie,st ,nd
,re e,siest to et?
Barrier methods that you can buy at a drugstore
are the easiest form of birth control to get. Either
partner can buy them without a prescription.
These methods include:
Wondoms and spermicides.
WSponges, which have spermicide in them. The
sponge is tucked up against the cervix. (The
popular Today sponge is expected to again be
available in the United States by end of summer
2005.)
Long-lasting birth control measures, such
as the intrauterine device (UD), are more
costly when you first pay for them.
However, these methods work for months
to years, making them low-cost over time.
These longer-lasting methods include:
WUDs.
WHormonal methods such as the shot or ring.
WSterilization surgery (tubal ligation for a woman
or vasectomy for a man.)