Petting

The term petting refers to loving effusions and caresses, even intimate ones, which stimulate and facilitate sexual arousal and often prepare for actual sexual intercourse.
Petting practices may include: kissing, mutual masturbation and oral sex, often defined precisely as 'foreplay'.
It is an affectionate way through which the couple begins to get to know each other, to experiment the practices that most intrigue and lead to pleasure, and to discover their own body and that of the partner.

In some cases we also speak of heavy petting ("heavy petting" or "pushed") referring to behaviors with a particularly strong erotic content, but always without penetration.

Before we find out specifically what petting is and where it comes from, we present this video where you can find different ways to fulfill your fantasies with your partner.

Petting: the origin

The word petting comes from the English verb to pet, which originally indicates the gesture with which a human being "cuddles" a dog or cat (pets means pets), for example by stroking their fur. By extension, the verb also applies to mutual caressing and hugging between human beings.

Petting: what is it for?

From a purely physical point of view, petting helps to increase arousal and therefore ensures that the woman lubricates herself and the man has an erection, thus promoting penetration. Petting is also an important opportunity for affective acquaintance, which not only allows you to explore your own erogenous zones and those of your partner, but also helps you to gain confidence in an intimate sphere by developing mutual trust.

Petting and virginity

Many girls fear that by practicing petting they may lose their virginity. Generally this does not happen as penetration during petting takes place with the fingers and if the intimate caresses are gentle, it is unlikely that you will lose your virginity. Particularly vigorous and deep 'maneuvers' can, on the other hand, tear the hymen, which is about 3 cm deep.

Petting: the risks

While excluding sexual intercourse with penetration, it should be emphasized that petting is not free from the risk of unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases.

First of all, the importance of hygiene must be reiterated: if poor, it is possible to contract some really annoying and sometimes difficult to eradicate diseases, such as pubic pediculosis (or "lice", a louse that colonizes the region of pubic hair), very frequent between the ages of 15 and 35, fungal infections, responsible for cutaneous mycosis, as well as infections with cutaneous papillomavirus.

As for the risk of becoming pregnant, it should always be remembered that even when the relationship is not complete, but there is contact between sperm and mucous membranes or sperm and female genital organs (even if externally), the chances are not zero.

See also:
The right age for the first time
Little used contraception
Casual sex: a blessing and a blessing
Bondage: what it is and how to live it without risk