WHAT IS OUTERCOURSE?
Outercourse, as opposed to intercourse, usually refers, in a playful manner, to types of sexual intimacy which do not involve the penis entering the vagina or anus. Some examples include:
- holding hands
- hugs
- kisses
- petting above the belt
- oral-genital contact
- petting below the belt
- mutual masturbation
- touching
- massaging
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?
- Outercourse is always an option...there are no supplies needed and it is free!
- It’s fun, and there is no worry about pregnancy. For some, it’s more fun than traditional intercourse.
- No fluid is deposited in the woman’s vagina. There is some protection, but perhaps not total protection, against sexually transmitted infections.
- There are no medical complications.
- Outercourse can increase emotional closeness between individuals.
- It may be a more acceptable practice in some cultures and in some religions.
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES?
- Oral sex can spread some sexually transmitted infections.
- One partner may really want to have intercourse. This can cause stress, and strategies should be discussed to overcome this stress.
- This method may get either partner thinking: “Is this going to go further than I want?” This concern may decrease enjoyment.
- A couple may not be prepared to protect themselves from pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections if they switch from outercourse to intercourse.
WHAT IF I HAVE SEX AND DON’T USE BIRTH CONTROL?
Did you know that for 120 hours after sex, you can take emergency contraceptive pills to avoid becoming pregnant? AND for 5 to 7 days after sex, you can have an IUD put in? Emergency postcoital insertion of the Copper T 380 A IUD (ParaGard) is the most effective currently available postcoital contraceptive. Not all clinicians know about this. If you want more information or would like the phone numbers of clinicians near you that prescribe emergency birth control, call the toll-free hotline (1-888) NOT-2-LATE. Some of these sources of help are free. PLAN B is the emergency contraceptive pill that causes the least nausea and the least vomiting. | 