Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsSafetyAbstinence and Dry HumpingCommunication
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
Safety
Abstinence and Dry Humping
Communication
Dry humping is rubbing against your partner but not having penetrative or oral sex. Dry humping’s meaning varies: Some people define it as keeping your clothes on, while others consider dry humping to mean being intimate without clothes but not having penetrative sex. Dry humping drastically lowers the risk of pregnancy andsexually transmitted infections (STIs), although it doesn’t eliminate the risk entirely.
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What Dry Humping Is and Isn’t
There’s no simple definition for dry humping. In fact, dry humping can be defined as what it isn’t: If you’re dry humping, you’re not putting a penis or fingers in a vagina and not having oral sex.
Some people define dry humping as going through the motions of sexual intercourse while wearing clothes.Others define drying humping as going through the motions of penetrative sex while naked but not actually having intercourse.Because of this, dry humping is sometimes calledoutercourse, or dry sex.
Because of friction and pressure, dry humping can feel very good and can produce an orgasm.
Is Dry Humping Safe?
Dry humping is one of the safest sexual activities that you can do. That’s because there’s very little exchange of bodily fluids. In fact, if you remain dressed, there may not be any exchange of bodily fluids.
STI Risk
However, if you’re dry humping without clothes, your risk is slightly higher. Rubbing genitals can spread herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), and other STIs. Though the risk is lower than having oral, anal, or vaginal sex, there is still some risk involved.
Remember that you can also spread STIs inadvertently. For example, if you have semen on your hand and touch your partner’s genitals, you risk spreading diseases.
Pregnancy
The risk of pregnancy from dry humping is extremely low. If you’re dry humping with your clothes on, it’s almost nonexistent because there’s no way for semen (cum) to reach the vulva or vagina.
If you are dry humping without clothes, there is a very low pregnancy risk, but it’s not entirely safe. Even if you don’t have penetrative sex, it’s possible (though not likely) that someone could get pregnant if any semen gets on the vulva or vagina.
Abstinence and dry humping are two different things. However, the desire to stay abstinent, or cultural pressure to stay abstinent, is one reason that people choose dry humping.
Abstinence means not engaging in sexual activities with another person. Because dry humping can result in pleasure and even orgasm, it’s considered a sexual activity.
However, there are many different ways to define sex. Some people define sex as penetrative sex, which may involve putting the penis into the vagina or anus. Others define sex as any intimate physical activity, including oral sex, mutualmasturbation(like handjobs or fingering) and dry humping.
Ultimately, you and your partner need to discuss what abstinence means to you, and whether dry humping fits into your desire to stay abstinent.
Communicating About Dry Humping and What Comes Next
For some couples, dry humping is a stepping stone to overt sexual activities, including penetrative sex. However, there’s no need to rush: if you and your partner are satisfied with dry humping for any reason, you can stick with that.
If you decide to explore other sexual activities, you’ll need to have open conversations about consent (making sure that everyone involved is a fully willing participant). Remember that consent can change at any time, even during a sexual act, and having penetrative sex once doesn’t mean you need to continue.
In addition, talk with your partner about protecting yourselves from pregnancy and STIs. It’s important to use protection (like condoms) and understand that no form of protection or contraception is 100% effective at preventing STIs or pregnancy.
You can even talk abouthow often you should have sex.
Summary
Dry humping is a sexual act that simulates the movement of intercourse, without actually having penetration. It can be done with your clothes on or without clothes. Dry humping has a very low risk for STIs or pregnancy, and for some people, the activity fits into their plan to remain abstinent. However, dry humping is an intimate activity that carries some physical risk for STIs and pregnancy. As with any sexual activity, it’s important to have ongoing conversations with your partner about consent, safety, and satisfaction.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Planned Parenthood.If I had dry sex, am I still a virgin?Sex, Etc.What is dry sex?Planned Parenthood.How effective are abstinence and outercourse?
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Planned Parenthood.If I had dry sex, am I still a virgin?Sex, Etc.What is dry sex?Planned Parenthood.How effective are abstinence and outercourse?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Planned Parenthood.If I had dry sex, am I still a virgin?Sex, Etc.What is dry sex?Planned Parenthood.How effective are abstinence and outercourse?
Planned Parenthood.If I had dry sex, am I still a virgin?
Sex, Etc.What is dry sex?
Planned Parenthood.How effective are abstinence and outercourse?
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