Intercourse

Key Stage 3

Intercourse is when a female accepts a penis into her vagina.

The penis is inserted into the vagina.
Sperm leaves the testes (where they were made).
The Sperm travels through the Sperm Duct where fluid is added by the glands before travelling through the urethra as semen and coming out of the penis in a process called ejaculation.
The sperm in the semen then swim up the vagina through the cervix and to one of the oviducts where it meets the ovum.

During intercourse some sexually transmitted infection (STI)s can be passed from one person to another.

Humans use several methods to prevent intercourse from spreading a STI and also to prevent pregnancy.

Condom - A covering placed over the penis stops semen entering the vagina and can prevent STIs being spread.
Diaphragm - A cap placed inside the vagina to prevent semen getting past the cervix. This does not prevent the spread of STI.
Contraceptive Pill, or Patch - A drug which prevents the fertilised ovum implanting into the wall of the uterus. This does not prevent the spread of STI.
Spermicide - A chemical in a cream which can kill sperm before they reach the ovum. This does not prevent the spread of STI.