What counts as sex?

People connect the word sex to the meaning that feels right to them—the meaning that is in tune with their culture, personal values, and experience.

For many people, “having sex” refers only to activities that involve penetration (penis into vagina or penis into anus). 

For others, sex also includes oral sex. For yet others, sex covers all activities involving the stimulation of sexual organs, including masturbation.

Whatever interpretation is most aligned with your feelings and values, there is one thing everybody should agree with: any direct stimulation of the sexual organs that is intended to induce arousal and that could lead to orgasm is a sexual activity.