Fingering : A Beginner's Guide to Intimate Touch

Fingering means inserting a finger into the vagina of your female partner. It is a sexual technique where a man or woman touches the genitals or anus of a female partner using their fingers. Nerve endings are found outside the female vagina (vulva) which are stimulated by stroking and rubbing. One or more fingers can be inserted inside the woman's vagina. When a woman does fingering to satisfy herself, it is called masturbation. Fingering excites you and hence for a woman it is also a way of orgasm. It can be enjoyed by people of any gender. You can simply enjoy fingering or use it as part of foreplay. Not everyone likes fingering though, so discuss this openly with your partner. This activity can be sexually exciting for both partners only if both of you enjoy it.

(Read more -Is masturbation during pregnancy safe?

Myths and facts related to fingering
People have many myths and misconceptions about fingering. Some of the weirdest and most interesting myths are given below -

• Myth - Fingering is a sexual activity that people do only until they can move on to better things.
• Fact - Many people enjoy it deeply. It can be an important and pleasurable part of people's sex lives, no matter what gender they belong to.

(Read more - Different types of sex)

• Myth - Fingering spreads HIV.
• Fact - HIV can be spread only through blood, semen and other bodily fluids. If you have any cuts on your fingers and finger someone, it is possible that you could be exposed to HIV.

(Read more - Oral sex)

However, there is a risk of HIV being passed from one partner to another through fingering only if your hand is actively bleeding or has other bodily fluids on your hand. Fingering is not an inherently safe sexual activity that is prone to spreading HIV. However, you can certainly make it safer by using gloves.

• Myth - Fingering is completely safe sex
• Fact - Fingering is reasonably safer sex than other activities. However, it is possible to spread HPV through fingering. It can also spread other STDs that can be transmitted through skin-to-skin or through any object.

This is why it is a good idea to use gloves or finger cots for fingering. If you are not worried about STDs, remember that your partner is also susceptible to scratching and getting a bacterial infection.

(Read more -How to have sex?)

The first and foremost thing is to make sure that both partners feel comfortable with it. Everyone likes different things and enjoys different things. So having a healthy conversation is of utmost importance. Also make sure that your nails are well trimmed and clean. To make fingering more safe, it is a good idea to wear latex or nitrile gloves or a finger coat (single finger glove). This keeps both partners safe.

Gloves can also protect any bacteria or viruses found under the nails from reaching the delicate mucous skin of the vagina or anus. They also prevent pathogens found under the nails or in finger cuts from reaching those areas. If gloves do not make you feel comfortable, then you should wash your hands thoroughly. Apart from this, both partners should clean their hands properly before and after sex. Don't rush, as it can be very uncomfortable or even painful if you put too much pressure on your partner's vagina. Be especially gentle with your partner's clitoris. Move slowly and make sure your partner is enjoying it too so that both of you feel good. Some places on the vagina that your partner may feel good about if you touch them are:

• The outer and inner labia.
• The area around the clitoris on either side.
• The clitoris itself.
• The vaginal entrance.

The clitoris is a sensitive spot. It can be nice to touch it, but sometimes it is too sensitive, which means that your partner may not find it pleasant to touch it. If the clitoris is hypersensitive, just touch the area around it. When a woman lies on her back with her legs spread, it is easier for you to touch all the sensitive spots around her clitoris and vagina. You can also watch her gestures to know what she likes best. The different angles at which you can insert your finger or fingers into her vagina depends on the position you are in.

If the woman is lying on her back, do not focus directly on her clitoris and vagina. But prepare her by applying light pressure on her thighs and breasts with your hand before you start fingering or touch her breasts and vagina along with fingering. Ask her to guide you with her hands and show you what she likes.

Another way is that the woman bends on her knees and you kneel behind them. In this position too, it is easy to touch the clitoris and the surrounding area. Wet your fingers with vaginal fluid or lubricant and slowly insert one finger into the vagina. Try to stimulate her by moving the fingers back and forth in a circular motion in the vagina. Use your finger to stimulate the G spot inside her vagina. At the same time, stimulate her clitoris with your other hand. You can also use other pleasurable touches along with fingering, like you can kiss each other.

(Read more - Most common health conditions in women)

Fingering is considered to be a safer sexual activity than other sexual activities. However, fingering does carry the risk of transmitting some types of STDs. These are mostly STDs that spread through skin or skin-to-skin contact, such as HPV. Since there is no exchange of body fluids when a person inserts his finger into another person's vagina or anus, it is very unlikely for HIV to spread. No instances of HIV transmission through fingering have been reported so far.

Another real risk is that if fingering is done without adequate care or lubricant, it may cause small cuts in the vagina or anus and may increase the risk of HIV transmission during subsequent sex with penis penetration (if a condom is not used).

(Read more -  Stroke in Women)

All women like different things and these preferences can change every time. So ask your partner first what she likes. You can also ask her to guide you by holding your hand. This will let you feel where she applies pressure or ask her to show you how she is fingering herself.

Try to read her body language. How does she react to your fingers? Is her vagina getting wet? Is she screaming or sighing with pleasure? Is her body trembling? Then you are doing it right. Listen to her breathing rate, is it getting faster? This is also a sign that she is getting ready. Keep in mind that according to the law of our country, it is illegal to do this with any girl before the age of 18 and at any age, if you insert a finger in the vagina without the permission of the woman (including wife), then it is considered rape and sexual harassment and you can be punished with 7 years to life imprisonment. So always respect the feelings of the woman and proceed for sexual activity only with her permission.

(Read more - Top 10 Vitamins for Women's Health)

Also keep in mind that if fingers are directly moved from one genital to another, then STI can spread. If a person has a cut or torn skin on the finger and it comes in contact with the partner, then the risk of infection is high. Women should always keep one thing in mind that you should respect your own body. After all, it is a pleasant experience, so if you feel uncomfortable in it, then you have full right to say no without any worry.

(Read more - Things every woman needs to know about sexual health)

Fingering alone never causes pregnancy. The most important thing for pregnancy is that sperm should come in contact with your vagina. Therefore, if you do only fingering with clean hands, then sperm cannot enter your vagina. But the possibility of getting pregnant occurs when -

• If your partner ejaculates on his finger and then puts it in your vagina. However, the chances of this happening are very low. 
• If your partner has ejaculated near your vagina and then puts fingers in your vagina, he can push some sperm into the vagina. If this happens, pregnancy is possible. 
• If you finger yourself after giving your partner a hand blowjob, you may transfer sperm from your hand to your vagina that was on your hand during the blow job.

The chances of getting pregnant from fingering are very negligible, but it can happen. If you are concerned that you may be pregnant, you have a few options. You can take emergency contraception (EC) within five days of sex to prevent pregnancy.

Fingering is a sexual activity in which a person stimulates his or her partner's genitals with the fingers. This activity can be a way to achieve sexual pleasure and increase physical intimacy with the partner. It is important to take care of hygiene during fingering; hands should be clean and nails should be short and smooth, to avoid any kind of injury or infection. It is also important to take care of the consent and comfort of both partners in this process.