What is sexual intercourse?

Sexual intercourse between a man and a woman starts with them both getting sexually excited. It is when a man's hard penis goes inside a woman's vagina.

  What is hymen? Is an intact hymen always a sign of virginity?

It’s a thin protective elastic membrane or strip of skin that partially covers your vaginal opening. When you reach puberty, the hymen stretches easily, but a hymen can be torn in many ways such as due to riding a bicycle. A hymen that isn't intact doesn't mean that a woman is not a virgin. Remember, you are a virgin until you have sexual intercourse.

  Does sexual intercourse hurt?

 Most often sexual intercourse between a loving man and woman is extremely pleasant and fulfilling experience. When woman is sexually excited and relaxed, her vagina will probably be moist enough to let her man’s penis go in without hurting. However, it can be painful both for woman or man in certain conditions. When a woman suffers from pain during or after having sexual intercourse, doctors call it ‘dysperunea’. Some of the important causes of pain full sexual intercourse are as follows:

• When the woman is having sex for the first time and her hymen is intact.

• When the woman is not emotionally or psychologically ready or willing for the sexual intercourse.

• Having sexual intercourse before six weeks after delivery

• If woman suffers from vaginal or pelvic infection

• If her vagina is not adequately moist even after adequate arousal. It can happen during some days of the month or after certain age.

• Too rigorous or harsh sexual intercourse

 Man can also suffer pain during or after intercourse:

• Having sex for the first time

• Prostitutes

• Injury during harsh and rigorous sexual intercourse

• Dryness of vagina

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases

  How to deal with painful sexual intercourse?

While men get aroused very quickly, women take much longer time to be ready for having sex. They need to be respected, cared and pampered before they would like to like to be willing and active partners. A tender and arousing foreplay can make sexual intercourse a pleasurable experience. For vaginal dryness, the couple should use a water based vaginal lubricants available over-the-counter. The sexual intercourse should not be very harsh or too forceful to prevent injury and irritation.

If the pain persists and either of the partners suffers from infection, a qualified doctor should be consulted.

  What happens to semen after it's been ejaculated into a woman. Does it just stay there until it dies, or does it leak out? If it stays inside, what happens to it once it dies?

After semen is ejaculated into the vagina, it can either travel farther up into the vagina, through the cervix, and then up the fallopian tubes, or drip out. Most of it will drip out when a woman stands up. Semen that remains in the body will carry sperm that can survive for approximately three to seven days. If a woman is trying to get pregnant, she should not stand up for at least 20 minutes after intercourse.

  Is there a "safe time" to have sexual intercourse?

There is no safe time to have unprotected sex if you wish to avoid pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. STDs can be transmitted whenever an infected person has sex with an uninfected person, and pregnancy is always a possibility, even during a woman's period. Although women are generally only fertile for a few days every month (usually around the middle of the menstrual cycle) most women have no definite way of knowing when this is.  Sperm can also survive inside the body for several days, meaning a woman can potentially become pregnant over quite a long period of time. If she has irregular periods, "safe" days can be particularly difficult to predict.

  Can a woman become pregnant when she has sexual intercourse for the first time?

Yes, a woman can become pregnant.

  Can a woman get pregnant if she has sex during her period?

Yes, a woman can get pregnant if she has sex during her period.

  What are the chances of becoming pregnant from a single act of sex?

The likelihood of becoming pregnant from a single act of unprotected sex (for example, from a one night stand) varies from person to person, and also depends on the stage of a woman's menstrual cycle. The probability is highest around the time of ovulation (when the egg is released), - that is around the 14th day of the menstrual cycle (about 7 to 10 days after stoppage of bleeding. when, on average, up to one third of women will become pregnant from having sex once.

  If a man pulls his penis out before he comes or doesn't put it in all the way, can a woman still get pregnant?

Unfortunately even if a man doesn't insert his penis all the way, or withdraws his penis before ejaculation, a woman can still become pregnant. This is because (the lubricating fluid that leaks out of a man's penis before and during sex can contain sperm. If this fluid gets in or around a woman's vagina, it can find its way inside, and she can become pregnant.

  What is sexual orientation?

The term sexual orientation refers to the gender (that is, male or female) to which a person is attracted. There are several types of sexual orientation that are commonly described:

·         Heterosexual. People who are heterosexual are romantically and physically attracted to members of the opposite sex: Heterosexual males are attracted to females, and heterosexual females are attracted to males. Heterosexuals are sometimes called "straight."

·         Homosexual. People who are homosexual are romantically and physically attracted to people of the same sex: Females who are attracted to other females are lesbian; males who are attracted to other males are often known as gay. (The term gay is sometimes also used to describe homosexual individuals of either gender.)

·         Bisexual. People who are bisexual are romantically and physically attracted to members of both sexes.

  What is an orgasm?

When sexual excitement builds up and reaches a peak a person experiences an orgasm, also called a climax or coming. When a man has an orgasm he ejaculates. This means that sperm mixed with semen comes out of the end of his penis in a sticky white fluid. After a man has ejaculated he loses his erection and usually needs to stop for a while. For women orgasm is more complex phenomenon in which her vagina often becomes very wet and wavy sensation in her body and brain. It’s a state of euphoria for both of them.

  Is abnormal not to get an orgasm?

If a person doesn't have an orgasm, it doesn't mean anything is wrong. In fact, worrying about reaching an orgasm or being nervous is quite likely to make it hard for a person to relax enough to have one.

  What is anal intercourse?

Anal intercourse is when a man puts his penis into the anus and rectum of another man or woman. It can cause serious infections if it is done without condom.

  Can a woman become pregnant as a result of anal sex?

A woman cannot become pregnant as a result of anal sex directly, although if any sperm leaks from the anus and enters the vagina, pregnancy could occur. 

  What is oral sex?

Oral sex is when one person licks or sucks another person's penis or vagina. A woman cannot get pregnant from giving oral sex to a man, even if she swallows his sperm.

  Can sperm pass through clothes?

No, generally clothing acts as a barrier against sperm.

 Can a man  get a yeast infection if he has oral sex with a  woman who has a vaginal yeast infection?

Yes, it can happen. the yeast (a fungus) that causes yeast infections, likes to grow in acidic environments, like the vagina. Your mouth is also a similar environment to the inside of the vagina. A yeast infection in the mouth is called thrush. If you have symptoms of a yeast infection in your mouth, like a white 'covering' on your throat, white spots on the back of your throat, or on the roof of your mouth make an appointment with a  doctor . Don't worry, it can be treated.

  What is impotence?

Impotence is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection for satisfactory sexual activity.

  What are the causes of impotence?

Impotence may occur due to : (i) Mental stress and depression (ii) Alcohol/ drug abuse (iii) Smoking (iv) Diabetes (v) Heart disease (vi) High blood pressure (vii) Certain medications used for treating blood pressure, depression, peptic diseases.

 How is impotence managed / treated?

Impotence may be managed / treated by: (i) Psychotherapy (ii) Stopping smoking and alcohol intake (iii) Following the medical advice after thorough assessment by a qualified doctor

  What about psychological therapy?

Experts often treat psychologically based impotence using techniques that decrease anxiety associated with intercourse. The patient's partner can help apply the techniques, which include gradual development of intimacy and stimulation. Such techniques also can help relieve anxiety when physical impotence is being treated.