Contents
Key Stage 3
Meaning
Intercourse is when a female accepts a penis into her vagina.
About Intercourse
During intercourse:
- 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.
About "Safe Sex"
- During intercourse some infections can be passed from one person to another.
- Humans use several methods to prevent intercourse from spreading a infection and also to prevent pregnancy.
- Condom - A covering placed over the penis stops semen entering the vagina and can prevent infections being spread.
- Diaphragm - A cap placed inside the vagina to prevent semen getting past the cervix. This does not prevent the spread of infection.
- 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 infection.
- Spermicide - A chemical in a cream which can kill sperm before they reach the ovum. This does not prevent the spread of infection.