Foreplay
Hear this word Foreplay
Also known as: Messing around; feeling up on each other
Image description: Dancing together romantically
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What Is It?
Foreplay includes activities that partners do with each other to create or increase excitement and arousal before sex or sexual activity. Foreplay can include touching and exploring a sexual partner’s body (with consent), treating each other in special and loving ways, or communicating with each other about what they consider sexy or arousing.
Both partners must consent to foreplay.
An Example
Beatrice and Aloe enjoy foreplay activities such as kissing and giving each other massages before having sex. Sometimes they do not want to have sex and just want to enjoy foreplay activities together.
What to Know
Every glossary word connects to different parts of the Sexuality Wheel. Explore the information below to learn more.
- Foreplay can help to prepare the body before sexual activities that may include rubbing, thrusting, or other types of energetic penetration. Foreplay can help the body to be warm, open, and relaxed for activities such as sexual intercourse, fingering, or anal sex.
- Foreplay helps to increase sexual arousal, blood flow to the genitals, and may cause a flow of natural lubrication in the vagina for a more comfortable experience.
- Foreplay can take place before other sexual activities, and some people enjoy foreplay on its own without continuing on to intercourse or activities that include physical penetration.
- Foreplay can allow partners to take their time to warm up and feel physically, mentally, and emotionally ready before engaging in sex or other sexual activities.
- Foreplay does not always include touch. Foreplay can include communicating with a romantic or sexual partner in ways that are considered sexy or arousing to each other.
- Other examples of foreplay include: massages, showering or taking a bath together, creating a bath for a partner, communicating in sexy ways to each other, dancing or enjoying music together, eating a special meal together, kissing, sharing feelings with each other, reading stories that have sexy storylines, helping each other in ways that the other appreciates, complimenting each other, and so much more!
- Foreplay depends on learning what feels sexy or arousing to each partner. Communicating with partners to learn what they find sexy or arousing can be helpful before trying to enjoy foreplay with each other.
- Foreplay can happen with or without clothing on, depending on what the activity is.
- Consent is important before and during any sexual activities, including foreplay.
Think about
Hover or tap the cards below to reveal suggestions or ideas!
What did you learn about foreplay?
To learn more about pleasure or safer sex, explore websites, books, and other resources in the Resource Hub or visit other parts of Your Sexual Health Toolkit like our online game, Our Stories, Our Journeys: A Sexual Health Game!
What questions do you have?
Write down or record an audio note with any questions you have to ask someone you trust. You may also find answers to your questions by using websites, books, and other resources in the Resource Hub.