Questions abound regarding dry humping, dry sex and dry intercourse. It is most often a question asked by girls and women, wanting to know if they can be pregnant when engaging in "dry sex".
The terms has been defined in many ways, depending on the person asking, and I wanted to break through the barriers and actually talk about the "embarrassing" aspects of what these terms actually mean.
What are you actually doing with your partner when you are doing anything "dry" in the sex-realm? Let's take the slang out of our questions, and talk about these taboo topics in the name of sexual health and wellness.
Sexual Health Quiz: Test Your Knowledge on this "Dry" Subject!
1. How would you describe/define the following terms?
- Dry Humping
- Dry Sex
- Dry Intercourse
2. What specific behaviors am I engaging in if I do any of the following?
- Dry Humping
- Dry Sex
- Dry Intercourse
3. Can you "get" pregnant from any of the following sexual activities?
- Dry Humping
- Dry Sex
- Dry Intercourse
4. Can you spread or contract an STI/STD from any of the following sexual behaviors? (STI/STD = sexually transmitted infections or diseases)
- Dry Humping
- Dry Sex
- Dry Intercourse
ANSWERS:
1. Dry= No Bodily Fluid Contact
The word "dry" means that there is no bodily fluid exchange or contact, including fluids or lubrication from the penis, vagina, anus or mouth. These specifically can include pre-ejaculatory fluid ("pre-cum"), ejaculatory fluid or "ejaculation" or "cum", vaginal lubrication or vaginal secretions.
"Dry humping" and "dry sex" can be summed up by using the term: "outercourse".
There is actually no such thing as "dry intercourse", as penetration can never be considered a "dry" activity as there is natural lubrication from your body that is considered a "bodily fluid".
2. Outercourse can include:
- massaging, touching
- masturbation
- body rubbing, humping or "going through motions" of sex while fully clothed (genitals are fully covered)...most commonly called "dry humping"
Outercourse can not include:
- penetration of penis into vagina, anus or mouth
- body rubbing while clothed, but some "slippage" of clothing (underwear, specifically)
- ejaculation near vagina, even while covered, with chance of semen spilling over clothing
3. No, Outercourse would not lead to pregnancy
As explained above, outercourse does not involve the contact or exchange of any bodily fluids, and therefore, would not create a risk for pregnancy
4. Yes, Outercourse may still carry the risk of spreading or contracting an STI/STD
The word "dry" is important when talking about pregnancy and STIs/STDs, as Outercourse is a Good Safer Sex Option, but is not 100% "safe".
Safer Sex is any sexual behavior that reduces your risk for infection or pregnancy. Although most STDs/STIs are spread through exchange of bodily fluids, some are transmitted from skin-to-skin contact (meaning: you don't have to have intercourse/penetration to become infected with an STD/STI). The skin-to-skin contact through outercourse can be a risk for STD/STI.
Lastly,
What are the Benefits of Outercourse (for two consenting adults?)
- Pleasurable form of sexual expression and intimacy
- Type of "safer sex" without need for contraception (for pregnancy prevention)
- Lower risk for contracting or spreading STIs or STDs (sexually transmitted infections or diseases)
- No risk for pregnancy
- It can be a sexual behavior that is pleasurable, exciting and not stress-inducing (from the point of view of women, wondering if they are pregnant)
Let us know your thoughts on these terms "dry humping" and "outercourse".
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Add a Comment665 Comments
hi.....i am really worried....plz help me.....
Actually i was dry humping with my boyfriend.....we were both fully dressed ....I touched his private area and my fingers might have come in contact with his pre-ejaculate.......
Then after about 25 -30 minutes i went to the bathroom and washed my private part......
is there any chance of me being pregnant....???
I want to mention that i touched his private part for just a few seconds and my fingers were dry before going to the washroom.......
Plzzzzz help me....!
March 26, 2011 - 11:37amThis Comment
hello, my boyfriend and i have been dry humping but without our clothes on.. so there is the rubbing of our genitals.. but he does ejaculate outside.. is there a chance of me getting pregnant? I am already delayed a few days.. there was blood a few days ago around march 11 but it lasted only a minute or so.. and until now i haven't gotten my usual period.. i am also experiencing painful cramps in my lower abdomen which is what usually happens before my period.. but i know it oculd also be a sign of early pregnancy..
am i pregnant or is this is a just a late period.. i have been stressed out also latey.. for the past 2 weeks i am only getting 5 hrs max of sleep.. can anyone help me? so paranoid about this..
March 13, 2011 - 6:26pmThis Comment
Hi Sam123,
There is NO chance that you could be pregnant as mentioned in this article. You are probably experiencing pre-menstrual symptoms....
Hope this helps,
March 13, 2011 - 10:30amMissie
This Comment
hi i had dry sex with my bf a few times at the end of jan and the beginning of feb. we were wearing 4 layers of clothing (underwear, pj, pj, underwear). i have always had irregular periods and i skipped my period in feb (supposed to have come around the 1st of feb) and i just missed march as well. I have experienced a lot of cramping and thought it might be my period but it wont come... i am also nauseous, and my breasts are a little sore but its not too much. could i be pregnant? there was NO real contact. it seems impossible but i just want to ask bc its driving me crazy. im scared to do a HPT..... i also just found out i have uti and once i started taking my meds for it the pelvic and lower back pains disappeared. i still get some small pains in my abdomen though... please help
March 12, 2011 - 8:46pmThis Comment
Alison
It first felt wet and I then could see some fluid /small wet patch (it wasn't drenched or anything) .
Thanks for the clarification on the dry humping definition and how HPV can spread, I thought dry humping entailed non penetrative sex.
February 22, 2011 - 12:38pmThis Comment
Hi Alison
Thanks for your response. I have to also add that there was no penetration or oral sex involved at all. Also there was no direct skin to skin genital contact, he always had his underwear on.
I think I did notice the pre cum because it was like you describe only a few drops with his penis erect, he thought it was that too and we just stopped everything in a few minutes. Would this clarification by me make a difference?
Thanks
by
by
February 22, 2011 - 12:20pmThis Comment
I think the clarification that I still need is:
How could you and he both see a few drops of fluid on his erect penis, if he always had underwear on?
The skin-to-skin contact I was referring to does not need to be genital-to-skin, or genital-to-genital. Some types of STDs (including HPV) can be spread just through skin-to-skin, as there could be some warts on other parts of the skin near the genitals. Just for your future knowledge!
February 22, 2011 - 12:26pmThis Comment
Hi Susan,
About a year ago, I was dry humping my bf. He had is underwear on, while I didn't. I have always wondered about the risks of STI's like HPV in such a scenario. He did get some pre cum, but having seen that we stopped shortly.
thanks
by
February 21, 2011 - 8:41pmThis Comment
HPV can be spread through skin-to-skin contact, so it is possible to spread some STIs and STDs without having intercourse.
Please know..."dry humping" means that there are no bodily fluids involved, so if you noticed his "cum" while making out, this would actually be ejaculation, and not at all "dry". "Pre-cum" is not seen during sexual activity...it is seen BEFORE sexual activity, as it is the few drops of fluid that comes out of the penis as it becomes erect, and does not contain sperm (except in certain circumstances; I can explain more if needed).
February 22, 2011 - 11:33amThis Comment
Hello Alison
September 14, 2011 - 9:43amWhat circumstances would those be?
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