Basic Types of Sexual  Behavior

2. Heterosexual Intercourse: Genital Intercourse

Coitus

Coitus from behind Clay sculpture, Varna region, Bulgaria, ca. 2000 B.C.

Techniques of Coitus 1
In general, couples are well advised not to begin coitus suddenly and hastily, but to take their time working up to it in a deliberate fashion. For instance, they may find it more rewarding to engage first in some kind of manual or oral intercourse. This way a woman may even enjoy one or several orgasms before coitus. At any rate, coitus should be attempted only when the vagina has produced enough of its own natural lubrication. Without such lubrication the insertion of the penis can be painful for both partners. (It is only with advancing age that the natural vaginal lubrication may become insufficient in some women. The condition can usually be improved by hormone therapy. There are also some prelubricated condoms on the market which may prove helpful in such cases. However, certain artificial household lubricants, such as Vaseline which can be used in manual intercourse, should not be introduced into the vagina.)
Once the woman's vagina is sufficiently lubricated, the man can gradually insert his penis. There is no need to penetrate very deeply right away, because, in spite of her sexual excitement, the woman may still feel a little tense for a while. In this case, the man can often help her relax by slowly moving just the tip of his penis back and forth in the outer part of the vagina. Then, when she feels like it, she can deepen the penetration by her own pelvic thrusting. Pelvic thrusting during sexual intercourse comes "naturally" to all mammals and can, in fact, already be observed in human infants when they begin to discover their sexual responses. However, instinctual as this behavior may be, it can be greatly improved upon by experienced lovers.