Dear Tdurden,

Sex play is any voluntary sexual activity, with or without a partner. There are many different kinds of sex play.

"Sexual intercourse" usually means sex play that involves penetration with a penis, which can be vaginal or anal. There is also "outercourse" — sex play without penetration with a penis. Some examples of outercourse are kissing, touching, body rubbing, and masturbation. Some people think of oral sex play as a kind of intercourse. Others think of it as a kind of outercourse.

When it comes to sexually transmitted infections, different types of sex play have different risks. "Safer sex" refers to anything we do to lower our risk — and our partners' risk — of sexually transmitted infections. The most important way to reduce the risk of infection is for partners to avoid exchanging body fluids. The fluids to be most careful about are blood, ejaculate, pre-ejaculate, vaginal fluids, and the discharge from sores caused by sexually transmitted infections.

Here are a few examples of safer sex practices:

• practicing outercourse instead of intercourse
• using latex or female condoms for vaginal intercourse
• using a latex condom to cover the penis for oral sex
• using a Glyde dam to cover the vulva or anus for oral sex

For more information on reducing infection risks, check out Safer Sex 101.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.