With Mayo Clinic women's health nurse practitioner Lois McGuire, R.N., M.S.N., W.H.N.P.

Sexual intercourse was traditionally thought of as a man inserting his penis into a woman's vagina. The term has gradually been expanded to include other forms of sexual activity or intimacy. Sexual intercourse includes vaginal, oral or anal sex. Moreover, intercourse is not limited to opposite sex partners (heterosexual relationships) but also includes same sex partners (homosexual relationships).

Yes — you could get an STD from any of these types of intercourse. Bacteria and viruses grow best in an environment that is warm, moist and dark. Any type of sexual intercourse would provide an environment for bacteria and viruses to grow.

Women are more at risk for contracting an STD. The vagina is a warm, moist and dark environment. Males are less at risk than women as the penis is open to the air and can easily be cleansed and dried off. However, anytime you exchange body fluids with a partner, you may be at risk for contracting an infection.

Oral and anal sex are often performed by adolescents to prevent the potential for pregnancy. Many adolescents don't realize that they can get STDs in their mouth or rectal area. Once again, anytime you exchange body fluids with a partner, you may be at risk for contracting an infection.

There is no kind of skin to skin sex play with a partner that is totally risk free. Practicing "safer" sex is something we all can do to protect ourselves and the person we love. "Safer" sex is for responsible people who care about their partner's pleasure and health and about their own pleasure and health. Stay tuned for safer sex information.

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