What happens during sex

Christiane Fux studied journalism and psychology in Hamburg. The experienced medical editor has been writing magazine articles, news and factual texts on all conceivable health topics since 2001. In addition to her work for, Christiane Fux is also active in prose. Her first crime novel was published in 2012, and she also writes, designs and publishes her own crime plays.

More posts by Christiane Fux All content is checked by medical journalists.

Sex, of course, is quite a physical affair. In fact, it is mainly created in the head. A look, a touch or an erotic thought can be enough to get the brain cells to fire. One gets into a state of excitement.

Whether male or female - what happens in the body when we are sexually aroused is largely the same for both sexes.The blood pressure rises suddenly, the heart beats and the breath goes faster. The blood rushes into the genital organs and causes them to swell. In men, this leads to an erection, but the woman's clitoris also swells to about three times its size. These processes are controlled by nerve signals emanating from the brain and various messenger substances that stimulate arousal.

In preparation for smooth sexual intercourse, the juices begin to flow immediately. Cells at the entrance to the vagina in the vaginal wall secrete fluid, making it easier for the penis to penetrate.

The male sexual organs also produce fluid. In addition to the seminal fluid that is formed in the prostate, the Cowper's glands, which are located below the prostate, are also active. If the man is aroused, they secrete a clear liquid that is supposed to neutralize urine residues. Therefore, a little fluid often leaks from the penis even before orgasm. These are also called drops of pleasure or pleasure.

Since it can contain sperm cells, a woman can become pregnant even if her partner pulls his member out of the vagina before orgasm. The so-called coitus interruptus is therefore a very unsafe method of contraception - quite apart from the fact that in the heat of the moment the man may not be able to withdraw in time.

Petting - lustful caresses

Petting is sex without intercourse. When petting, the partners caress and kiss. In particular, the most sensitive parts of the body, the erogenous zones, are stimulated with hands, tongue or body friction. The most powerful erogenous zone in women is the clitoris. Incidentally, it is much larger than the visible bud-shaped tip. Your erectile tissue extend deep into your abdomen to the left and right of the vagina. Another erogenous zone is located in the vagina behind the anterior vaginal wall in front of the urethra - the famous G-spot.

In men, the glans of the penis is particularly easy to stimulate sexually. But the prostate is also an erogenous zone. She is erotically irritated during anal sex, for example.

Other erogenous zones in both sexes are nipples, the anus, but also sensitive body parts such as lips, back of the knees, throat or neck.

When petting, both partners can orgasm. But be careful: if semen gets into the vagina, the woman can become pregnant!

Sexual intercourse

The following applies not only to young people: Before the first time (at all or with a new partner), you should clarify how you want to use contraception. For example with condoms: they not only protect against unwanted pregnancies, but also against sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS. For this reason, boys / men should also use condoms who have sex with their peers.

Maybe such a factual conversation before sex seems a bit embarrassing or unromantic. But it doesn't help! If you can't open your mouth at the wrong moment, you will worry about a possible infection or pregnancy for weeks after sex. In the worst case, you have to bear the consequences for the short pleasure for a lifetime. But once you have clarified these points, you can start having fun!

In heterosexual intercourse, the man penetrates the woman's vagina with his penis (penetration). If the woman is sufficiently excited and moist, this is usually very easy with a little practice. If the man is still inexperienced, the woman can help a little and direct the penis by hand.

If penetration does not work so easily, it usually means that the woman is not yet sufficiently aroused. Then it is important to stretch the foreplay a little more. However, some women generally do not get sufficiently moist. In this case, lubricants are a good help and are available in every drugstore. When men have sex with men, one of the partners enters the other's anus during intercourse with the penis. Lubricants are also a good help here.

The penis and vagina or the prostate are stimulated at the same time through rhythmic back and forth movements. The partners have to try out together which speed and which position is particularly exciting.

Sex is one thing that should be fun for both partners. So you should talk openly about what you want or dislike. If you don't know each other that well, it might be a bit uncomfortable at first, but it's definitely better than bad sex.

Orgasm - the climax of pleasure

The lustful climax of lovemaking is orgasm. In women, it begins with rhythmic contractions of the vagina and uterus, which then expand to the entire pelvic muscles.

In men, the prostate and seminal vesicles drain their secretions into the lower urethra. If the pressure of the pent-up seminal fluid becomes too great, the ejaculation reflex is triggered, which one cannot control voluntarily. The muscles of the pelvic floor, penis and around the spermatic duct and prostate contract rhythmically and throw the sperm out in spurts. The anal sphincter twitches too. After the orgasm, a pleasant feeling of relaxation spreads in the body.

For men, orgasm is a rather short thing. In return, they usually reach their climax easily. For girls and women, the path to climax usually takes longer and they do not always reach it. Your arousal builds up more slowly and disturbing factors such as nervousness or stress block you more. Women experience orgasm very differently. Sometimes they only feel a slight flutter, other times it is long and powerful and covers the whole body. Unlike men who took a break after climaxing, women can experience multiple orgasms in quick succession.

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