Sexual intercourse also coitus or copulation is a sexual activity typically involving the insertion and thrusting of the male penis inside the female vagina for sexual pleasure , reproduction , or both. Other forms of penetrative sexual intercourse include anal sex penetration of the anus by the penis , oral sex penetration of the mouth by the penis or oral penetration of the female genitalia , fingering sexual penetration by the fingers and penetration by use of a dildo especially a strap-on dildo , and vibrators.
They can contribute to human bonding. There are different views on what constitutes sexual intercourse or other sexual activity, which can impact views of sexual health. Various jurisdictions place restrictions on certain sexual acts, such as adultery , incest , sexual activity with minors , prostitution , rape , zoophilia , sodomy , premarital sex and extramarital sex.
Religious beliefs also play a role in personal decisions about sexual intercourse or other sexual activity, such as decisions about virginity , [ 13 ] [ 14 ] or legal and public policy matters. Religious views on sexuality vary significantly between different religions and sects of the same religion, though there are common themes, such as prohibition of adultery.
Reproductive sexual intercourse between non-human animals is more often called copulation , and sperm may be introduced into the female's reproductive tract in non-vaginal ways among the animals, such as by cloacal copulation. For most non-human mammals , mating and copulation occur at the point of estrus the most fertile period of time in the female's reproductive cycle , which increases the chances of successful impregnation. Sexual intercourse may be called coitus , copulation , coition , or intercourse.
Coitus is derived from the Latin word coitio or coire , meaning "a coming together or joining together" or "to go together", and is known under different ancient Latin names for a variety of sexual activities, but usually denotes penileβvaginal penetration.
