Fingering (sexual act) explained

Fingering is sexual stimulation of the vulva (including the clitoris) or vagina by using the fingers.[1] Vaginal fingering is legally and medically called digital penetration or digital penetration of the vagina. The term "digital" takes its significance from the English word 'digit', which refers to a finger, thumb, or toe.[2] Fingering may also include the use of fingers to stimulate the anus.[3] When someone performs fingering on another person's vulva or vagina, it is a form of manual sex, and is analogous to a handjob (manual stimulation of the penis).[4] [5] It may be used for sexual arousal or foreplay, constitute an entire sexual encounter,[5] or be used as non-penetrative sexual activity.[6] Fingering performed on one's own vulva or vagina is a form of masturbation.

Practice

The main aspect of fingering, whether performed on oneself or performed on someone else, is manual stimulation of the vulva by rubbing with the fingers, insertion of the fingers into the vagina through its opening, or some combination.

Vulva

Parts of the vulva, especially the clitoris, are erogenous zones.[7] Massage of the vulva, and in particular the clitoris, is the most common way for a woman to achieve an orgasm.[8] [9] [10] Studies indicate that 7080 percent of women require direct clitoral stimulation to achieve orgasm.[10] [11]

The clitoral glans or shaft may be massaged by one or more fingers, usually through the skin of the clitoral hood, using up-and-down, side-to-side, or circular motions.[12] The rest of the vulva such as the labia are also stimulated by fingering. The fingers may caress the labia minora (the vulva's inner lips)[13] via up-and-down/side-to-side movements as well or tug on the folds.

Vagina

While the vagina is not especially sensitive as a whole, its lower third (the area close to the entrance) has concentrations of nerve endings that can provide pleasurable sensations when stimulated during sexual activity.[8] [9] [14]

Fingering the vagina is often performed to stimulate an area termed the G-spot. The G-spot is reportedly located roughly 5sp=usNaNsp=us up on the anterior wall of the vagina, forwards toward the navel. It is described as being recognized by its ridges and slightly rougher texture compared to the more cushion-like vaginal cavity walls around it. Fingering this spot, and in effect possibly stimulating the Skene's gland, is commonly cited as a method that may lead to female ejaculation.[15]

Some women have cited the "come hither" approach as a significant catalyst to orgasm. This technique involves the middle finger, sometimes additionally the index or ring finger, making a hand gesture like "come here" with the palm facing upwards towards her pubic bone. Medical professionals suggest washing the hands before contact with the vagina, to ensure proper hygiene, especially when moving between different orifices.[16]

Anus

Anal fingering may be pleasurable because of the large number of nerve endings in the anal area, and because of the added stimulation gained from stretching the anal sphincter muscles while inserting the finger. A personal lubricant is advisable to both increase the pleasurable sensation and aid insertion.[17] Some people prefer to simply stimulate the outer ring of the anus, while others will follow this by inserting one or more fingers into the rectum.[17]

Fingering one's own anus is an act of anal masturbation while fingering the anus of another person is a type of manual and anal sex. Partnered anal fingering can arouse the receiver, either as an act in itself or allowing them to relax their anus and prepare them for the insertion of a penis or any other sexual instrument.

Anal fingering is an effective way of stimulating the prostate in males[18] [19] [20] and can also stimulate the perineal sponge in women.

Safety and sexual assault

Consensual fingering is generally considered safe sex.

How digital penetration without consent is legally classified depends on the jurisdiction. For example, penetration of the vagina or anus with a finger without consent is rape in Australia,[21] and forcible rape in many United States jurisdictions.[22] In Scotland, the term rape is only used for penetration with a penis,[23] whereas penetration with a finger can be "sexual assault by penetration".[24]

Lesbian women often clip their nails in a particular fashion to allow for digital penetration, leading to recognition of shorter nails on the index and middle finger as a public LGBT symbol.[25] [26]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Rathus SA, Nevid JS, Fichner-Rathus L . Human sexuality in a world of diversity . . 0205406157 . 2005 . 275 . 6 August 2019 . 26 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230226052955/https://books.google.com/books?id=HahZAAAAYAAJ . live .
  2. Web site: Understanding the Concept of Digital Rape .
  3. Book: Winks C . The New Good Vibrations Guide to Sex . . 1573440698 . 1997 . 132 . 6 August 2019 . 26 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230226052956/https://books.google.com/books?id=XW5qAAAAMAAJ . live .
  4. Book: Bruess CE, Schroeder E . Sexuality Education Theory And Practice . . 978-1449649289 . 2013 . 151 . 6 August 2019 . 26 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230226053000/https://books.google.com/books?id=WWFW6-kkAVoC&pg=PA151 . live .
  5. Book: Winks C . The New Good Vibration Guide to Sex . . 1573440698 . 1997 . 57, 60 . 6 August 2019 . 26 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230226052956/https://books.google.com/books?id=XW5qAAAAMAAJ . live .
  6. Book: Upton D . Nursing & Health Survival Guide: Health Promotion . . 978-1317906179 . 2014 . 52 . 6 August 2019 . 26 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230226052958/https://books.google.com/books?id=VnvJAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA52 . live .
  7. O'Connell HE, Sanjeevan KV, Hutson JM . Anatomy of the clitoris . The Journal of Urology . 174 . 4 Pt 1 . 1189–95 . October 2005 . 16145367 . 10.1097/01.ju.0000173639.38898.cd . 26109805 .
    • News: Mascall . Sharon . 11 June 2006 . Time for rethink on the clitoris . . 19 August 2010 . 4 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221104231647/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5013866.stm . live .
  8. Book: Psychology Applied to Modern Life: Adjustment in the 21st Century . 978-1-111-18663-0 . Cengage Learning . 2011 . 386 . 5 January 2012 . Wayne . Weiten . Dana S. . Dunn . Elizabeth . Yost Hammer . 26 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230226053001/https://books.google.com/books?id=CGu96TeAZo0C&pg=PT423 . live .
  9. Book: Sex and Society, Volume 2 . 978-0761479079 . Marshall Cavendish Corporation . 2009 . 590 . 17 August 2012 . Marshall Cavendish Corporation . 26 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230226053114/https://books.google.com/books?id=YtsxeWE7VD0C&pg=PA590 . live .
  10. Dorothy . Kammerer-Doak . Rebecca G. . Rogers . Female Sexual Function and Dysfunction . Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America . 35 . 2 . 169–183 . June 2008 . 18486835 . 10.1016/j.ogc.2008.03.006 . Most women report the inability to achieve orgasm with vaginal intercourse and require direct clitoral stimulation ... About 20% have coital climaxes... .
  11. Kenneth . Mah . Yitzchak M . Binik . The nature of human orgasm: a critical review of major trends . . 21 . 6 . 823–856 . 7 January 2001 . 11497209 . 10.1016/S0272-7358(00)00069-6 . Women rated clitoral stimulation as at least somewhat more important than vaginal stimulation in achieving orgasm; only about 20% indicated that they did not require additional clitoral stimulation during intercourse. .
  12. Book: Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity . . 2009 . 118, 252, and 264 . 23 June 2012 . 978-0-495-60274-3 . Janell L. . Carroll . 26 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230226053001/https://books.google.com/books?id=5f8mQx7ULs4C&q=The+glans+clitoris&pg=PA118 . live .
  13. Book: Griffitt . William . Hatfield . Elaine . Human Sexual Behavior . Scott, Foresman. 1985. 285. September 13, 2023 . 978-0-67315-057-8.
  14. Book: Greenberg JS, Bruess CE, Conklin SC . Exploring the Dimensions of Human Sexuality . . 2010 . 126 . 978-9814516785 . 9 August 2019 . 26 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230226053005/https://books.google.com/books?id=5Sy8PJZGyWUC&pg=PA126 . live .
  15. Rabinerson D, Horowitz E . [G-spot and female ejaculation: fiction or reality?] . he . Harefuah . 146 . 2 . 145–7, 163 . February 2007 . 17352286 .
  16. Web site: Pussy Fingering . Sex Project . 19 August 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170626221230/http://www.sex-project.com/fingering.shtml . 26 June 2017 . dead .
  17. Book: Pauli, Michelle . Press Here! Kama Sutra for Beginners: A Couples Guide to Sexual Fulfilment . Fair Winds Press. 2021. 48–49. September 16, 2023 . 978-0-76037-047-6.
  18. Web site: The male hot spot — Massaging the prostate . Go Ask Alice! . 27 September 2002 . 21 April 2010 . 16 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150816011011/http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/male-hot-spot-%E2%80%94-massaging-prostate . dead .
  19. Book: Martha . Rosenthal . Human Sexuality: From Cells to Society . . 2012 . 133–135 . 17 September 2012 . 978-0618755714 . 26 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230226053054/https://books.google.com/books?id=d58z5hgQ2gsC&pg=PT153 . live .
  20. Book: The Orgasm Answer Guide . 978-0-8018-9396-4 . JHU Press . 2009 . 108–109 . 6 November 2011 . registration . Barry Komisaruk . Beverly Whipple . Sara Nasserzadeh . Barry R. . Komisaruk . Beverly . Whipple . Sara . Nasserzadeh . Carlos . Beyer-Flores .
  21. Web site: Rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment: what's the difference? . The Conversation . 27 March 2018 . Nicola . Henry . 22 September 2020 . 16 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200916043345/https://theconversation.com/rape-sexual-assault-and-sexual-harassment-whats-the-difference-93411 . live .
  22. Web site: An Updated Definition of Rape . 6 January 2012 . The United States Department of Justice Archives . 22 September 2020 . 3 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211203195658/https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/blog/updated-definition-rape . live .
  23. Web site: Facts about sexual violence . Rape Crisis Scotland . 22 September 2020 . 28 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201128105913/https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/help-facts/ . dead .
  24. Web site: Victim Support Scotland . Rape and sexual assault . 22 September 2020 . 27 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210227072722/https://victimsupport.scot/information-support/crime-information/crime-types/rape-and-sexual-assault/ . live .
  25. Wallace, Megan. "Lez nails: Is the 'queer woman with short nails' an outdated stereotype?", Dazed Beauty, 17 October 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  26. Thompson, Martine. "Cheers to the Queer Manicure", Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2024.

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