Written by Karolina Wilde. Fact checked by Dr. Carlotta Favaro PhD. At Natural Cycles, our mission is to empower you with the knowledge you need to take charge of your health. At Cycle Matters, we create fact-checked, expert-written content that tackles these topics in a compassionate and accessible way. Read more Read on to find out more. Many people believe that foreplay is a type of sex that is supposed to happen before penetrative intercourse.
Essentially, foreplay is a combination of sexual and non-sexual, physical, emotional, and psychological things we do with our partners to feel close to them. Foreplay is essential for getting in the mood for sex.
Most often, foreplay takes place right before intercourse. However, foreplay might look different for different people. Foreplay can be all the small actions and interactions you have with your partner in between your time in the sheets. It's the cheeky glances, sweet compliments, holding hands while you go on a walk, and helping your partner do something when they ask you. When it comes to pleasure, preferences and tastes vary widely. There is no set idea of what foreplay is.
However, some types of foreplay include:. However, a small study found that couples engage in foreplay activities to obtain pleasure for both partners [1]. But that's not all — there are many benefits to engaging in foreplay. Foreplay can prolong sexual excitement, but It can also help get the body ready for penetrative sex. Foreplay can also boost emotional connection between partners as it offers a less invasive way of having sex. Engaging in prolonged foreplay can offer enhanced sensations during sex because it gives our bodies more time to get aroused.
There are many different ways to engage in foreplay. Because of that, it's very easy to add novelty to your relationship. One time, you can use sex toys together, while the next time, you might engage in oral sex instead.
