What Counts As Sexually Active?

Your doctor wants to know whether you’re sexually active so they can test for STIs, prescribe birth control or pap smears, and help you avoid pregnancy. They also need this information to help you be safe from sexually transmitted infections, like HPV and chlamydia.

Some people think that a person isn’t sexually active unless they have penetrative sex, but that’s a false idea. Having genital contact without penetration is still sex, and it counts!

Vaginal Intercourse

If you have vaginal intercourse — which is touching or inserting anything into the vagina, even for just a few seconds — then you’re considered sexually active. Having vaginal sex without a condom puts you at risk for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and pregnancy, including herpes and chlamydia.

Many people have a different definition of what counts as sex. Some think that only penetrative sex counts, while others consider kissing, grinding, masturbation and the use of sex toys to be part of sex. It’s important to communicate with your partner about what you want and don’t want before starting sex to make sure that you are both happy and safe.

Some people may not feel sexually aroused when engaging in some of these activities, and that’s okay. The key is that you have a mutual agreement and are both enthusiastic to engage in sex. Sexual activities can be very rewarding, but it is important that both people are excited and comfortable.

Anal Intercourse

Anal intercourse is the penetration of a penis into a partner’s anus. It can be pleasurable and arousing for both partners. Penis have pleasure receptors that can be stimulated during anal play, and this stimulation can also lead to orgasm. It’s important to use plenty of water-based lubricant when having anal intercourse. This helps the penis slide into the anus more easily and prevents friction that can cause pain.

Some people who have anal sex don’t like it at all, and that’s fine. Others find it arousing and are very into anal intercourse. Just remember that anal sex puts you at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy, so you should always use a condom.

Even if you’re not sexually active, it’s important to tell your healthcare provider if you’ve had manual, oral or anal sex so they can check for STIs and give you the right information and protection. It’s also a good idea to use condoms for all other intimate activities, including kissing, hugging, hand-holding, foreplay and using sex toys.

Many doctors and nurses ask about sex because they want to know if you’re at risk for getting an STI. If you don’t tell them about anal sex, they may not test for STIs or give you a pap smear (if you have a uterus). They might also not recommend safe birth control or offer a condom.

Manual Sex

Doctors often ask patients about their sexual activity to assess risk for STIs and pregnancy. They also want to know whether they need to test for STIs or give the patient a pap smear. But the definition of what counts as sexually active varies widely. It can include anything from kissing to rubbing and stroking. It might also include frottage, an act of genital-genital rubbing between partners (like penis-to-penis contact). And it can even be oral masturbation.

When doctors ask about sex, they usually mean sexual intercourse. But sex can also be oral, anal, or manual. They might be asking about sex with a partner or with a stranger. They might also be asking about sex with a device like a dildo, vibrator, or butt plug. It can be hard to tell what doctors really mean by “sexually active.”

It’s important to know how to answer the question of what counts as sexually active. Some people might feel pressure to admit their sex life, but others may not be ready for that kind of openness. The decision to have sex is a personal one, and it’s up to each person to decide when they are ready for it. The best thing to do is to talk it over with a trusted friend or mentor. They may be able to offer advice on how they became sexually active, and they might share their own experiences.

Oral Sex

Oral sex is sexual contact that involves the mouth, lips or tongue. It may include fellatio (oral sex with the penis), cunnilingus (oral sex on the vagina, vulva or clitoris) or anilingus (oral sex on the anus). Oral sex can also involve other body parts such as the hands, arms, feet and shoulders.

Orally transmitted infections can be spread by either giving or receiving oral sex. These include chlamydia, gonorrhea and herpes. They can also lead to pregnancy. The risk of STIs from oral sex is much lower than with other types of sex but still exists.

Regardless of what counts as sex, the main reason doctors ask patients if they are sexually active is to help them prevent STIs and unwanted pregnancy. This includes offering STI tests, providing birth control options and giving a pap smear if you have a uterus and are over 21.

Ultimately, the decision to become sexually active should be made when you are ready and only with people you trust. But once you do, you should talk openly with your health care providers. They are there to help you be your best self, and that means supporting safe sex practices. So if you’re asked “are you sexually active?” be honest!