Dear Alice,
What exactly is “outercourse”?
Dear Reader,
Outercourse is lovemaking without penetration into a vagina or an anus. It allows a couple to be sexual, more intimate and even orgasmic with one another without having sexual intercourse. With outercourse, no semen, vaginal fluids or blood is shared between partners. As a result, outercourse protects against pregnancy and some sexually transmitted diseases.
Some outercourse pleasuring possibilities include hot talk, sexy stares, erotic fantasy, spicy role-plays, sensual massage, showering or bathing together, strip-tease, mutual masturbation, phone or e-mail sex and dry sex.
Outercourse is useful:
– When people choose to abstain from sex or are not ready for intercourse yet.
– If one partner doesn’t feel like having intercourse.
– As another sexual option for partners who have already had intercourse.
– If a partner doesn’t want to be penetrated (or do something that’s penetrating).
– If a partner is sore or has an infection.
– If people don’t have condoms or any other birth control.
– If a female partner has her period.
– Just for a change.
Hope this answers your question.
–Alice
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Readers should not rely on information in
Go Ask Alice! features for diagnosis or treatment and should always consult a qualified health-care provider to identify and treat any medical or
other health condition. Send questions at
www.goaskalice.columbia.edu.
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale (cdipasquale@tribune.com) and Kris Karnopp (kkarnopp@tribune.com).
