outercourse
Sex without penetration
Outercourse is sexual activity that doesn't involve penetration—mutual masturbation, oral sex, grinding, or other contact that stops short of intercourse.
The term emerged alongside safer-sex education as a way to describe intimate acts with lower risk of pregnancy or STI transmission: They practiced outercourse until they were ready for more.
Pre-coital intimacy
- pettingAffectionate stroking
- caressingTouching with affection
- cuddlingAffectionate close holding
- kissingLip-to-lip contact
fondling · dry humping · grinding · massage · frottage · necking · making out · skin-to-skin
Voluntary forgoing of indulgences
- STI preventionBlocking intimate disease spread
- pregnancy preventionBlocking fertilization or implantation
- virginityAbsence of carnal experience
- risk reductionLessening of potential harm
barrier-free · HIV prevention · sexual health · boundaries · consent · low-risk · protection · disease prevention
Instruction about human reproduction
- body autonomyControl over one's physicality
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- sexual explorationInvestigating intimate preferences
- relationship buildingForming interpersonal connections
foreplay
Pre-coital intimacy
kissing · fondling · dry humping · grinding · massage · frottage · necking · making out · skin-to-skin · spooning
abstinence
Voluntary forgoing of indulgences
- STI preventionBlocking intimate disease spread
- pregnancy preventionBlocking fertilization or implantation
- virginityAbsence of carnal experience
risk reduction · barrier-free · HIV prevention · sexual health · boundaries · consent · low-risk · protection · disease prevention · sexual wellness
sex education
Instruction about human reproduction
- body autonomyControl over one's physicality
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- sexual explorationInvestigating intimate preferences
relationship building · healthy relationships · comfort zones
outercourseintercourse
Communication or sexual connection
penetrative sex · penetration · coitus · vaginal sex · anal sex