- With Mayo Clinic women's health nurse practitioner
Lois McGuire, R.N., M.S.N., W.H.N.P.
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Lois McGuire, R.N., M.S.N., W.H.N.P.
Lois McGuire, R.N., M.S.N., W.H.N.P.
Lois McGuire was a registered nurse in Obstetrics and Gynecology for 20 years. This experience made attending Planned Parenthood of Minnesota for the Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program a natural step. Later she attended Case Western Reserve University to achieve her Master's in Nursing. She has been employed at Mayo Clinic as a nurse practitioner for 15 years. She works with women from adolescence though all the life cycles. Lois is committed to a holistic nursing approach, empowering women to take care of their health.
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Safe sex blog
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Sept. 20, 2008
What is considered intercourse?
By Lois McGuire, R.N., M.S.N., W.H.N.P.
Sexual intercourse was traditionally thought of as a man inserting his penis into a woman's vagina. The term has gradually been expanded to include other forms of sexual activity or intimacy. Sexual intercourse includes vaginal, oral or anal sex. Moreover, intercourse is not limited to opposite sex partners (heterosexual relationships) but also includes same sex partners (homosexual relationships).
Yes — you could get an STD from any of these types of intercourse. Bacteria and viruses grow best in an environment that is warm, moist and dark. Any type of sexual intercourse would provide an environment for bacteria and viruses to grow.
Women are more at risk for contracting an STD. The vagina is a warm, moist and dark environment. Males are less at risk than women as the penis is open to the air and can easily be cleansed and dried off. However, anytime you exchange body fluids with a partner, you may be at risk for contracting an infection.
Oral and anal sex are often performed by adolescents to prevent the potential for pregnancy. Many adolescents don't realize that they can get STDs in their mouth or rectal area. Once again, anytime you exchange body fluids with a partner, you may be at risk for contracting an infection.
There is no kind of skin to skin sex play with a partner that is totally risk free. Practicing "safer" sex is something we all can do to protect ourselves and the person we love. "Safer" sex is for responsible people who care about their partner's pleasure and health and about their own pleasure and health. Stay tuned for safer sex information.
20 comments posted
January 20, 2010 5:10 p.m.
I put my penis in a girls vagina for maybe a few seconds and it only went in a couple of inches, I didn't break her Hymen and she did not bleed, i didn't ejaculate. is this considered intercourse, did i lose my virginity?
- sang
November 30, 2009 12:06 p.m.
Yes you can get an STD from jus touching each other. If your partner is infected you can contract it also. To be safe you both should jus get tested before you do anything.
- Angel
November 5, 2009 10:32 a.m.
For Mike - the one with a wife that insists on a condom at all times - get a new wife! Half-jokingly spoken. Seriously, going through life and only experiencing sex through a condom, what a flavorless horror. Safe sex, yes, but you have no idea what you are missing. I love giving oral at least as much as I love getting it, and what you are experiencing is like going to the symphony orchestra wearing ear plugs.
- Thomas
July 5, 2009 9:42 p.m.
Can you get an STD from another person if that person performs ORAL sex on YOU? Can a person with an STD transfer it to you by their mouth only?
- Brittany
July 3, 2009 9:49 a.m.
here in jordan we cant do sex until we married because of our religion islam and we doesnt have these disease at all i think the married is the only way to protect our from STD with married no STD its amazing thing
- anas
May 26, 2009 6:13 p.m.
What about can you get syphilis through a female touching herself and then she touches your hands on the top of your hands and then your touch yourself?
- Ron
May 26, 2009 6:08 p.m.
Can you get herpes or genetal warts through just touching your female partner and then touching yourself?
- John Turner
April 27, 2009 11:03 a.m.
Dear Scott, Yes, this is a possiblity. If your partner has herpes, ask her to use a suppressive medication. If she has warts, many woman are able to clear them with time or have them removed by a provider. Remember to protect yourself by wearing a condom. Both partners should get STD screening before entering a new sexual relationship.
- Lois McGuire
April 22, 2009 7:52 a.m.
Can you get herpes or genetal warts through just touching your female partner and then touching yourself?
- Scott
March 19, 2009 4:45 p.m.
I recently had unprotected sex with my partner and although I am not pregnant my vagina seems to have become a little itchy. I'm not sure whether or not I have a STD or not. what is the best thing to do?
- sarah
20 comments posted