In today’s world, the topic of sex can seem overwhelming.  Everywhere we look we are bombarded with images and insinuations of sex in movies, advertisements, magazines, music, and everyday conversation.  Growing up and crossing into the world of sex can seem a bit puzzling and nerve-racking at first, but if you are armed with the facts you can make smart and responsible decisions on your own.  Decisions that are best for you.

      What is sex?  It may seem like a stupid question, but it’s not.  Sex can mean a lot of different things to different people.  Although we can’t cover them all, we will cover the most common ways people are taking part in sex.  Whatever your sexuality, there are many sexual acts that you and your partner may enjoy.  Just remember, the key to enjoying sex is to make sure that both you and your partner feel comfortable and secure about what you are doing which ultimately means not feeling rushed or pressured into doing things you are not ready or sure about. 

KISSING

Although it may not seem like a “sexual” act, it is.  Sometimes referred to as “French kissing” or “making out,” it’s the act of kissing with your mouths open and your tongues meeting.  Kissing can feel really good for many people and usually, while the first time may seem messy, it usually gets better with practice especially if you and your partner talk about what you like and don’t like. 

MUTUAL MASTURBATION

One of the most common ways for partners to feel close to each other is by discovering each other’s bodies through touching each other’s genitals.  Also known as fingering or jerking off, mutual masturbation is when a partner stimulates your genitals.  This means stroking or touching a man’s penis and testicles or balls and touching and rubbing a women’s clitoris or inserting fingers into her vagina.  In addition, some people enjoy their anus being touched or fingered causing stimulation. 

FELLATIO

Also known as a blow job, giving head, or oral sex, fellatio involves sucking the penis and testicles of a man. 

ANILINGUS

This sexual act means stimulating your partner by licking and kissing their anus.  Largely known as “rimming,” many people enjoy it because there are very sensitive nerve endings located here.

CUNNILINGUS

Instead of fellatio, which involves going down on a man; cunnilingus involves going down on a woman.  Usually it means licking and sucking the clitoris and vagina, sometimes to the point of orgasm. 

VAGINAL INTERCOURSE

For the most part, this act involves a man inserting his penis into a woman’s vagina, however it also refers to a woman being penetrated with a dildo, a common sex toy in the shape of a hard penis.  

ANAL INTERCOURSE

Refers to a man using his erect penis to penetrate a man or woman’s anus.  However, just as with vaginal sex, a dildo can be used for penetration instead of a man’s penis. 

      It’s common for couples to start off with kissing and then gradually move on to more intimate acts as they feel more comfortable with each other or their feelings grow for one another.  The kissing and touching is referred to as foreplay while the actually act of penetration is referred to as sex.  Foreplay usually causes you to feel sexually aroused causing boys to get an erection (meaning their penises gets hard) and girls to have a “wet” vagina. 

      Once you are sexually aroused, it can be really hard not to move on to penetrative sex.  Ever heard parents refer to “the heat of the moment?”  Well this is it.  For most, it’s hard to think rationally when you are in this state of arousal.  There are many consequences to having sex, such as pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases/infections (STD/STI’s).  This is why it’s important to think about sex before it actually happens and make an educated decision on whether or not you are ready for sex.