Outercourse is a term that can be used to encompass a wide variety of sexual behaviors. It is often used to describefrottage, tribadism, or other types of sexual body rubbing that do not involve penetration. It can also include kissing,mutual masturbation, talking about sexual fantasies, and similar activities.
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In addition to sexual body rubbing, outercourse may also be used to describe the act of a person thrusting their penis to orgasm between their partner’s thighs, breasts, butt cheeks, or other body parts as a simulation of intercourse.
The defining factor is the lack ofpenetration of the vagina, mouth, or anus. This type of behavior is sometimes referred to as “dry humping.” However, some people define outercourse to include oral or anal sex and only exclude vaginal penetrative sex.
Outercourse vs. Abstinence
In some communities, outercourse can be used to describe any type of sexual act that does not involve vaginal penetration and thus carries littlerisk of pregnancy.In this way, outercourse is similar to abstinence.
Abstinence also has variable definitions. For some people, abstinence is no sexual interaction at all. For others, it’s anything that can’t get you pregnant.
For people who define the act of outercourse solely in terms of pregnancy risk, outercourse may include the possibility oforaland/oranal sex. However, this is not the most common definition among sex educators and sexuality professionals. Similarly, most sex educators wouldn’t consider abstinence to include oral and anal sex. However,some people disagree.
Benefits of Outercourse
Some people use outercourse as a way to interact sexually with someone without a risk of pregnancy. It is, indeed a very good way to do that. Pregnancy risk is low as long as couples are careful about not ejaculating near the vagina or transferring semen or pre-cum into the vagina.
For couples who practice abstinence, outercourse is sometimes a sexual option. Depending on religious or cultural beliefs and practices, it may be an allowed activity.
Outercourse can also be an activity for people who aren’t worried about pregnancy or abstinent. People may engage in body rubbing and other outercourse activities as either foreplay or the main sexual activity.
Some people are not particularly interested in penetrative sex. Others engage in outercourse for variety. Outercourse can also be an option for people who don’t want to engage in a longsafer-sex negotiation.
Drawbacks of Outercourse
Although body rubbing is a relatively low-risk activity, outercourse can still put you at risk of certainsexually transmitted diseasesthat spread fromskin to skin.
Outercourse can be made safer with the use ofcondomsor other barriers. In addition, many of the activities that fall into the category of outercourse can be done with clothing on. Even naked, however, outercourse is a relatively safer activity. Skin infections can be transmitted, but compared to vaginal, oral, or anal sex, it’s pretty low risk. It’s even used as a risk-reduction technique for individuals with HIV.
That said, before engaging in outercourse with a new partner, it’s a good idea to negotiate your preferences and boundaries. Not everyone agrees on what outercourse is, so it’s a good idea to be sure what both of you are interested in and agreeing to.
Fully clothed frottage is a very different level of intimacy from simulated intercourse between the thighs, buttocks, or other body parts.
Can Outercourse Lead to Intercourse?
Some people claim that one of the drawbacks of outercourse is that it can lead to intercourse. It’s true that some sexual enjoyment may lead to people wanting more. However, the idea that one activity automatically leads to another is highly problematic. It makes it seem as though people don’t have any sexual agency.
Consider having a backup birth control method available if you are at risk of pregnancy from intercourse.
4 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.International Society of Sexual Medicine.Outercourse.Sexual Medicine Society of North America.Outercourse.Pérez-Jiménez D, Seal DW, Ronis DL.A pilot intervention to promote safer sex in heterosexual Puerto Rican couples.Couple Family Psychol. 2014;3(3):193-206. doi:10.1037/cfp0000022Planned Parenthood.What are the benefits and disadvantages of abstinence and outercourse?
4 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.International Society of Sexual Medicine.Outercourse.Sexual Medicine Society of North America.Outercourse.Pérez-Jiménez D, Seal DW, Ronis DL.A pilot intervention to promote safer sex in heterosexual Puerto Rican couples.Couple Family Psychol. 2014;3(3):193-206. doi:10.1037/cfp0000022Planned Parenthood.What are the benefits and disadvantages of 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.
International Society of Sexual Medicine.Outercourse.Sexual Medicine Society of North America.Outercourse.Pérez-Jiménez D, Seal DW, Ronis DL.A pilot intervention to promote safer sex in heterosexual Puerto Rican couples.Couple Family Psychol. 2014;3(3):193-206. doi:10.1037/cfp0000022Planned Parenthood.What are the benefits and disadvantages of abstinence and outercourse?
International Society of Sexual Medicine.Outercourse.
Sexual Medicine Society of North America.Outercourse.
Pérez-Jiménez D, Seal DW, Ronis DL.A pilot intervention to promote safer sex in heterosexual Puerto Rican couples.Couple Family Psychol. 2014;3(3):193-206. doi:10.1037/cfp0000022
Planned Parenthood.What are the benefits and disadvantages of abstinence and outercourse?
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