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".
If you have a specific question about a recent sexual episode that you are wondering about, please click on the Community page above, and ask your question by clicking on the orange ASK button to post your question. This space is for discussion related to this topic, and we are able to answer your time-sensitive questions faster when posted at the ASK page. Thanks!
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment665 Comments
Hello, last week my boyfriend and I were dry humping in his car. I was on top, and I was wet from him rubbing me through my pants earlier. He didn't ejaculate, and he claims that there was barely any pre-ejaculate present as well. I wasn't humping the head of his penis, but more on the middle or base of it. I'm pretty sure that this cannot generate a pregnancy. However, if there was pre-ejaculate present, could the sperm penetrate through 4 layers of clothes (I had on underwear & jeans and he had on boxers & athletic shorts) and cause a pregnancy? Again, I was pretty wet from him rubbing me before, but he was not wet. Also, it kinda hurt when we were dry humping. Why is that?
May 2, 2011 - 9:55amThis Comment
Thanks so much for your time and help!
April 20, 2011 - 11:53amThis Comment
Hello, recently my boyfriend and I were having dry sex (with clothes on) and he did ejaculate. However, I only felt a drop on me and took off my stockings and underwear right away. The contact was near or above the clit or the hood of it. Could I be pregnant? I am due for my period soon and I had a symptom of cramping like my period and I read that it is an early sign of pregnancy but it is the only symptom I have.
April 20, 2011 - 9:16amThis Comment
I have a question .. My boyfriend recently touched me down there and it was past my underwear.. I was wondering .. Could I get pregnent?
April 9, 2011 - 5:08amThis Comment
Hi Anon,
No--you can't get pregnant through touching. Thanks for your question! :)
April 9, 2011 - 6:31amThis Comment
I am 19 years old. I am a virgin but I was dry humping this guy I had a thing with. He had pants on and i was in my underwear. He did not ejaculate but his pants were wet from precum. I freaked out after and in less than 24 hours I took Plan B just to be sure. I have ovarian cysts so I am usually on the pill. However, I had lost my pill package for that month after taking it for a week and I was afraid to tell my mom. I had to start taking antibiotics for a sinus infection so I figured they would have been ineffective anyways so it was nothing to worry about and I would start taking it again after my next period. It has been 6 days since we dry humped. My last period was sometime last month. I don't remember when exactly but it was about a month ago or so. I have looked up early symptoms and the only ones I am showing are cramps. Is this a sign of pregnancy or my period coming? When should I expect my next period? When can I take a pregnancy test? What is the likelyhood that I am pregnant? I am really afraid. I have always not liked abortion and I hate the idea of getting one if I am pregnant. I don't even know how much it costs but I feel like it might be my only option. I think my dad would stop financially supporting me if I became pregnant and I need his support. I have never had a job and I am a full time college student. Could my stress being putting my period off even more? I have been praying that I will start my period. Also, I forgot to add that I wiped myself within half an hour and took off my panties within the second I got back to my dorm which was maybe 2 hours later max.
March 27, 2011 - 5:48pmThis Comment
Anon,
Please try to relax. You cannot get pregnant through dry humping-- think about it? In order to get pregnant, you must be penetrated and there must be sperm to travel a looooonnng way to your ovaries and into the ovum waiting to be fertilized. You did not have sex and you were both wearing clothes making it impossible to get pregnant that way. Even if his jeans had pre-ejaculate on them, the sperm wouldn't make it past the thick jeans, past your underwear, and find a way into your vagina.
Take a deep breath and relax... if what you described is accurate, you are not pregnant.
March 29, 2011 - 3:39amThis Comment
Reading this feels amazing. It really puts my mind at ease. THANKYOU!
March 29, 2011 - 6:02amThis Comment
Reading this feels amazing. It really puts my mind at ease. THANKYOU!
March 29, 2011 - 6:02amThis Comment
Hi Anonymous,
There is no need to be afraid. You cannot get pregnant from touching his penis, then touching yourself with dry hands while using the bathroom.
I hope this calms your nerves.
March 27, 2011 - 5:36amGood luck,
Missie
This Comment