Outercourse is a sexual activity that does not involve penetration of the penis into the vagina. Although external intercourse can be pleasurable, it is not always safe. There are health risks associated with external intercourse as well. Some people believe that external intercourse is safer than vaginal intercourse because it reduces the risk of contracting HIV. However, this is true only if the concept of outercourse is not extended to oral sex and anal sex. Furthermore, at the dermatological level, both men and women can contract a sexually transmitted infection during outercourse, or transmit it to their partners.