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'''Sexual intercourse''', also known as '''copulation''' or '''coitus''', commonly refers to the act in which the male reproductive organ enters the female reproductive tract.[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9067000/sexual-intercourse] [http://health.discovery.com/centers/sex/sexpedia/intercourse.html] The two entities may be of opposite sexes or not, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails. In recent years, penetration of non-sexual organs (oral intercourse, anal intercourse) or by non-sexual organs are also sometimes included in this definition. Traditionally, intercourse has been viewed as the natural endpoint of all sexual contact between a man and a woman.
'''Sexual intercourse''', also known as '''copulation''' or '''coitus''', commonly refers to the act in which the male reproductive organ enters the female reproductive tract.[https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9067000/sexual-intercourse] [https://health.discovery.com/centers/sex/sexpedia/intercourse.html] The two entities may be of opposite sexes or not, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails. In recent years, penetration of non-sexual organs (oral intercourse, anal intercourse) or by non-sexual organs are also sometimes included in this definition. Traditionally, intercourse has been viewed as the natural endpoint of all sexual contact between a man and a woman.
Non-penetrative sexual contacts and mutual masturbation are usually referred to as ''outercourse'' (oral sex may or not be penetrative),
Non-penetrative sexual contacts and mutual masturbation are usually referred to as ''outercourse'' (oral sex may or not be penetrative),
===Coitus difficulties===
===Coitus difficulties===
Anorgasmia is regular difficulty reaching orgasm after ample sexual stimulation, causing personal distress.
Anorgasmia is regular difficulty reaching orgasm after ample sexual stimulation, causing personal distress.
The physical structure of the act of coitus favors penile stimulation over clitoral stimulation. The location of the clitoris then often necessitates manual stimulation in order for the female to achieve [[orgasm]]. About 15 percent of women report difficulties with orgasm, and as many as 10 percent of women in the United States have never climaxed. Even women who orgasm regularly only climax about 50 percent to 70 percent of the time. [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anorgasmia/DS01051]
The physical structure of the act of coitus favors penile stimulation over clitoral stimulation. The location of the clitoris then often necessitates manual stimulation in order for the female to achieve [[orgasm]]. About 15 percent of women report difficulties with orgasm, and as many as 10 percent of women in the United States have never climaxed. Even women who orgasm regularly only climax about 50 percent to 70 percent of the time. [https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anorgasmia/DS01051]
Some males suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED), or impotence, at least occasionally. For those whose impotence is caused by medical conditions, prescription drugs such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra are available. However, doctors caution against the unnecessary use of these drugs because they are accompanied by serious risks such as increased chance of heart attack. Moreover, using a drug to counteract the symptom—impotence—can mask the underlying problem causing the impotence and does not resolve it. A serious medical condition might be aggravated if left untreated.
Some males suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED), or impotence, at least occasionally. For those whose impotence is caused by medical conditions, prescription drugs such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra are available. However, doctors caution against the unnecessary use of these drugs because they are accompanied by serious risks such as increased chance of heart attack. Moreover, using a drug to counteract the symptom—impotence—can mask the underlying problem causing the impotence and does not resolve it. A serious medical condition might be aggravated if left untreated.
The American Urological Association (AUA) estimates that premature ejaculation could affect 27 to 34 percent of men in the United States. The AUA also estimates that 10 to 12 percent of men in the United States are affected by erectile dysfunction. Vaginismus is involuntary tensing of the pelvic floor musculature, making coitus distressing, painful, and sometimes impossible. Dyspareunia is a medical term signifying painful or uncomfortable intercourse, but does not specify the cause.
The American Urological Association (AUA) estimates that premature ejaculation could affect 27 to 34 percent of men in the United States. The AUA also estimates that 10 to 12 percent of men in the United States are affected by erectile dysfunction. Vaginismus is involuntary tensing of the pelvic floor musculature, making coitus distressing, painful, and sometimes impossible. Dyspareunia is a medical term signifying painful or uncomfortable intercourse, but does not specify the cause.
Although disability-related pain and mobility impairment can hamper intercourse, in many cases the most significant impediments to intercourse for individuals with a disability are psychological.[http://www.jstor.org/stable/3813582] In particular, people who have a disability can find intercourse daunting due to issues involving their self-concept as a sexual being,[http://www.jstor.org/stable/4065995]
Although disability-related pain and mobility impairment can hamper intercourse, in many cases the most significant impediments to intercourse for individuals with a disability are psychological.[https://www.jstor.org/stable/3813582] In particular, people who have a disability can find intercourse daunting due to issues involving their self-concept as a sexual being,[https://www.jstor.org/stable/4065995]
[http://www.jstor.org/stable/3812217] or partner's discomfort or perceived discomfort.
[https://www.jstor.org/stable/3812217] or partner's discomfort or perceived discomfort.
==Functions of sex beyond reproduction==
==Functions of sex beyond reproduction==
===Health benefits ===
===Health benefits ===
Sex as exercise burns calories to produce health benefits. Sex relieves [[stress]], boosts the immune system with higher levels of immunoglobulin A, improves cardiovascular health, increases self-esteem, improves [[intimacy]], reduces pain by production of the hormone [[oxytocin]], reduces the risk of prostate cancer, strengthens pelvic muscles, and promotes good [[sleep]].[http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/features/10-surprising-health-benefits-of-sex] In addition, sex improves the sense of smell and urinary bladder control.[http://www.forbes.com/2003/10/08/cz_af_1008health.html]
Sex as exercise burns calories to produce health benefits. Sex relieves [[stress]], boosts the immune system with higher levels of immunoglobulin A, improves cardiovascular health, increases self-esteem, improves [[intimacy]], reduces pain by production of the hormone [[oxytocin]], reduces the risk of prostate cancer, strengthens pelvic muscles, and promotes good [[sleep]].[https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/features/10-surprising-health-benefits-of-sex] In addition, sex improves the sense of smell and urinary bladder control.[https://www.forbes.com/2003/10/08/cz_af_1008health.html]
According to researchers from Scotland who reported their findings in the journal ''Biological Psychology'', a significant health benefit of sex is lower blood pressure and overall stress reduction. They studied 24 women and 22 men who kept records of their sexual activity. The researchers subjected the men and women to stressful situations, such as speaking in [[public]] and doing verbal arithmetic, and noted their blood pressure response to stress. The men and women who had intercourse responded more positively to stress "than those who engaged in other sexual [[behavior]]s or abstained". Researchers found that another study published in the same journal documented frequent intercourse as being associated with lower diastolic blood pressure in cohabiting participants, though other research "found a link between partner hugs and lower blood pressure in women".
According to researchers from Scotland who reported their findings in the journal ''Biological Psychology'', a significant health benefit of sex is lower blood pressure and overall stress reduction. They studied 24 women and 22 men who kept records of their sexual activity. The researchers subjected the men and women to stressful situations, such as speaking in [[public]] and doing verbal arithmetic, and noted their blood pressure response to stress. The men and women who had intercourse responded more positively to stress "than those who engaged in other sexual [[behavior]]s or abstained". Researchers found that another study published in the same journal documented frequent intercourse as being associated with lower diastolic blood pressure in cohabiting participants, though other research "found a link between partner hugs and lower blood pressure in women".
During sex, pelvic floor muscle exercises known as Kegels offer benefits for women. More sexual pleasure is expected to result, strengthening of the area, and help to minimize the risk of incontinence later in life.
During sex, pelvic floor muscle exercises known as Kegels offer benefits for women. More sexual pleasure is expected to result, strengthening of the area, and help to minimize the risk of incontinence later in life.
In contrast to its benefits, sexual behavior can be a disease vector. Safe sex is a relevant harm reduction philosophy.[http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/epiu-aepi/std-mts/std511_e.html]
In contrast to its benefits, sexual behavior can be a disease vector. Safe sex is a relevant harm reduction philosophy.[https://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/epiu-aepi/std-mts/std511_e.html]
===Social and other behaviors===
===Social and other behaviors===
The new and sudden substitution of the more [[ideal]] but extremely [[individual]]istic [[love]] motive in marriage for the older and long-established property motive, has unavoidably caused the marriage institution to become temporarily unstable. Man's marriage motives have always far transcended actual marriage morals, and in the modern era, the ideal of marriage has suddenly far outrun the self-centered and but partially controlled sex impulses of the [[race]]s. The [[presence]] of large numbers of unmarried persons in any [[society]] indicates the temporary breakdown or the transition of the mores.
The new and sudden substitution of the more [[ideal]] but extremely [[individual]]istic [[love]] motive in marriage for the older and long-established property motive, has unavoidably caused the marriage institution to become temporarily unstable. Man's marriage motives have always far transcended actual marriage morals, and in the modern era, the ideal of marriage has suddenly far outrun the self-centered and but partially controlled sex impulses of the [[race]]s. The [[presence]] of large numbers of unmarried persons in any [[society]] indicates the temporary breakdown or the transition of the mores.
The ancients seem to have regarded marriage just about as seriously as some present-day people do. And it does not appear that many of the hasty and unsuccessful marriages of modern times are much of an improvement over the ancient practices of qualifying young men and women for mating. The great inconsistency of modern society is to exalt love and to idealize marriage while disapproving of the fullest [[inquiry|examination]] of both.[http://urantia.org/cgi-bin/webglimpse/mfs/usr/local/www/data/papers?link=http://mercy.urantia.org/papers/paper83.html&file=/usr/local/www/data/papers/paper83.html&line=126#mfs]
The ancients seem to have regarded marriage just about as seriously as some present-day people do. And it does not appear that many of the hasty and unsuccessful marriages of modern times are much of an improvement over the ancient practices of qualifying young men and women for mating. The great inconsistency of modern society is to exalt love and to idealize marriage while disapproving of the fullest [[inquiry|examination]] of both.[https://urantia.org/cgi-bin/webglimpse/mfs/usr/local/www/data/papers?link=https://mercy.urantia.org/papers/paper83.html&file=/usr/local/www/data/papers/paper83.html&line=126#mfs]
==References==
==References==
# Sexual intercourse Britannica entry.
# Sexual intercourse Britannica entry.
# "Sexual Intercourse". health.discovery.com. http://health.discovery.com/centers/sex/sexpedia/intercourse.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-12.
# "Sexual Intercourse". health.discovery.com. https://health.discovery.com/centers/sex/sexpedia/intercourse.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-12.
# Kate Havelin (1999). Dating: "What Is a Healthy Relationship?". Capstone Press. pp. 64. ISBN 0736802924.
# Kate Havelin (1999). Dating: "What Is a Healthy Relationship?". Capstone Press. pp. 64. ISBN 0736802924.
# Isadora Alman (2001). Doing It: Real People Having Really Good Sex. Conari. pp. 280. ISBN 1573245208.
# Isadora Alman (2001). Doing It: Real People Having Really Good Sex. Conari. pp. 280. ISBN 1573245208.
# Ann van Sevenant (2005). Sexual Outercourse: A Philosophy of Lovemaking. Peeters. pp. 249. ISBN 9042916176.
# Ann van Sevenant (2005). Sexual Outercourse: A Philosophy of Lovemaking. Peeters. pp. 249. ISBN 9042916176.
# Ian Kerner (2004). She Comes First: The Thinking Man's Guide to Pleasuring a Woman. HarperCollins. pp. 240. ISBN 1573245208.
# Ian Kerner (2004). She Comes First: The Thinking Man's Guide to Pleasuring a Woman. HarperCollins. pp. 240. ISBN 1573245208.
# Klein, Marty. "The Meaning of Sex". Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, Volume 1 August 10, 1998:. [http://www.ejhs.org/volume1/mklein.htm]. Retrieved on 2007-12-09.
# Klein, Marty. "The Meaning of Sex". Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, Volume 1 August 10, 1998:. [https://www.ejhs.org/volume1/mklein.htm]. Retrieved on 2007-12-09.
# "Females of almost all species except man will mate only during their fertile period, which is known as estrus, or heat..." Helena Curtis (1975). Biology. Worth Publishers. pp. 1065. ISBN 0879010401.
# "Females of almost all species except man will mate only during their fertile period, which is known as estrus, or heat..." Helena Curtis (1975). Biology. Worth Publishers. pp. 1065. ISBN 0879010401.
# Pineda, Leslie Ernest McDonald (2003). McDonald's Veterinary Endocrinology and Reproduction. Blackwell Publishing. pp. 597. ISBN 0813811066.
# Pineda, Leslie Ernest McDonald (2003). McDonald's Veterinary Endocrinology and Reproduction. Blackwell Publishing. pp. 597. ISBN 0813811066.
# Frans de Waal, "Bonobo Sex and Society", Scientific American (March 1995): 82-86.
# Frans de Waal, "Bonobo Sex and Society", Scientific American (March 1995): 82-86.
# Dinitia Smith, "Central Park Zoo's gay penguins ignite debate", San Francisco Chronicle (February 7, 2004). Article is mainly about gay penguins but also mentions homosexuality in dolphins, and also says 'In bonobos, she noted: "you see expressions of sex outside the period when females are fertile."' Available online at [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/02/07/MNG3N4RAV41.DTL].
# Dinitia Smith, "Central Park Zoo's gay penguins ignite debate", San Francisco Chronicle (February 7, 2004). Article is mainly about gay penguins but also mentions homosexuality in dolphins, and also says 'In bonobos, she noted: "you see expressions of sex outside the period when females are fertile."' Available online at [https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/02/07/MNG3N4RAV41.DTL].
# Bruce Bagemihl, Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity (St. Martin's Press, 1999). ISBN 0-312-19239-8
# Bruce Bagemihl, Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity (St. Martin's Press, 1999). ISBN 0-312-19239-8
# Jared Diamond (1992). The rise and fall of the third chimpanzee. Vintage. ISBN 978-0099913801.
# Jared Diamond (1992). The rise and fall of the third chimpanzee. Vintage. ISBN 978-0099913801.
# John, Gartner (2006-08-15). "Animals Just Want to Have Fun". wired.com. [http://www.wired.com/culture/culturereviews/news/2006/08/71556].
# John, Gartner (2006-08-15). "Animals Just Want to Have Fun". wired.com. [https://www.wired.com/culture/culturereviews/news/2006/08/71556].
# Diamond, Jared (1997). Why is Sex Fun?.
# Diamond, Jared (1997). Why is Sex Fun?.
# Mayo Clinic; Womans Health [1]
# Mayo Clinic; Womans Health [1]
# Williamson, Gail M.; Walters, Andrew S. (1996). "Perceived Impact of Limb Amputation on Sexual Activity: A Study of Adult Amputees". The Journal of Sex Research (Lawrence Erlbaum Associates (Taylor & Francis Group)) 33 (3): 221–230. ISSN 00224499. OCLC 39109327. [http://www.jstor.org/stable/3813582].
# Williamson, Gail M.; Walters, Andrew S. (1996). "Perceived Impact of Limb Amputation on Sexual Activity: A Study of Adult Amputees". The Journal of Sex Research (Lawrence Erlbaum Associates (Taylor & Francis Group)) 33 (3): 221–230. ISSN 00224499. OCLC 39109327. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/3813582].
# Majiet, Shanaaz (1993), "Disabled Women and Sexuality", Agenda (Agenda Feminist Media) (19): 43–44, ISSN 10130950, [http://www.jstor.org/stable/4065995]
# Majiet, Shanaaz (1993), "Disabled Women and Sexuality", Agenda (Agenda Feminist Media) (19): 43–44, ISSN 10130950, [https://www.jstor.org/stable/4065995]
# Dewolfe, Deborah J.; Livingston, Carolyn A. (Aug. 1982). "Sexual Therapy for a Woman with Cerebral Palsy: A Case Analysis". The Journal of Sex Research (Lawrence Erlbaum Associates (Taylor & Francis Group)) 18 (3): 253–263. ISSN 00224499. OCLC 39109327. [http://www.jstor.org/stable/3812217].
# Dewolfe, Deborah J.; Livingston, Carolyn A. (Aug. 1982). "Sexual Therapy for a Woman with Cerebral Palsy: A Case Analysis". The Journal of Sex Research (Lawrence Erlbaum Associates (Taylor & Francis Group)) 18 (3): 253–263. ISSN 00224499. OCLC 39109327. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/3812217].
# Doheny, K. (2008) "10 Surprising Health Benefits of Sex," WebMD (reviewed by Chang, L., M.D.)
# Doheny, K. (2008) "10 Surprising Health Benefits of Sex," WebMD (reviewed by Chang, L., M.D.)
# Farnham, A. (2003) "Is Sex Necessary?" Forbes
# Farnham, A. (2003) "Is Sex Necessary?" Forbes
# "STI Epi Update: Oral Contraceptive and Condom Use". Public Health Agency of Canada. 1998-04-23. [http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/epiu-aepi/std-mts/std511_e.html].
# "STI Epi Update: Oral Contraceptive and Condom Use". Public Health Agency of Canada. 1998-04-23. [https://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/epiu-aepi/std-mts/std511_e.html].
# Frans de Waal, "Bonobo Sex and Society", Scientific American (March 1995): 82-86.
# Frans de Waal, "Bonobo Sex and Society", Scientific American (March 1995): 82-86.
# The Joy of Sex: A Gourmet Guide to Lovemaking (1972)
# The Joy of Sex: A Gourmet Guide to Lovemaking (1972)
# Chase, Stacey (July 23, 2006). "The Last Ones Standing". The Boston Globe. [http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2006/07/23/the_last_ones_standing/?page=full].
# Chase, Stacey (July 23, 2006). "The Last Ones Standing". The Boston Globe. [https://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2006/07/23/the_last_ones_standing/?page=full].
==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/IES/xmain.html The International Encyclopedia of Sexuality]
*[https://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/IES/xmain.html The International Encyclopedia of Sexuality]
* Janssen, D. F., [http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/GESUND/ARCHIV/GUS/INDEXATLAS.HTM ''Growing Up Sexually. Volume I. World Reference Atlas'']
* Janssen, D. F., [https://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/GESUND/ARCHIV/GUS/INDEXATLAS.HTM ''Growing Up Sexually. Volume I. World Reference Atlas'']
* [http://www.indohistory.com/kamasutra.html Kamasutra - A guide to love making]
* [https://www.indohistory.com/kamasutra.html Kamasutra - A guide to love making]
*[http://www.ppacca.org/site/pp.asp?c=kuJYJeO4F&b=139496 Planned Parenthood information on sexual intercourse]
*[https://www.ppacca.org/site/pp.asp?c=kuJYJeO4F&b=139496 Planned Parenthood information on sexual intercourse]
*[http://tidepool.st.usm.edu/crswr/103animalreproduction.html Introduction to Animal Reproduction]
*[https://tidepool.st.usm.edu/crswr/103animalreproduction.html Introduction to Animal Reproduction]
*[http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/sex/advantage/ Advantages of Sexual Reproduction]
*[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/sex/advantage/ Advantages of Sexual Reproduction]
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[[Category: Psychology]]
[[Category: Psychology]]
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