Sex: The basics

Many people have a different idea of what counts as sex. Here are some examples:

Masturbation: this is when a person stimulates their own genitals with their fingers, their hand or a sex toy, 

Mutual masturbation: this is when people masturbate together/in front of each other.

Oral sex: this is when a person’s genitals are stimulated by another person’s mouth.

Vaginal sex: this is when a vagina is penetrated or entered by a penis, finger, or sex toy,

Anal sex: this is when an anus is penetrated by a penis, finger, or sex toy, 

Sexting: this is when people exchange sexual content inform of messages, images, videos, etc.) With each other through technology (e.g. Calls, texts, apps, etc.).

Other intimate contact: this may include things like touching, hugging, kissing or other contact of an intimate, personal nature.

Why do people have sex?

People choose to have sex for many reasons. 

Some choose sex to:

• Feel good
• Relieve stress
• Feel closer to a partner
• Have fun
• Get pregnant

When having sex, you may experience many different feelings and thoughts. You may experience an orgasm or an intense feeling of pleasure at the peak of sexual excitement.