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!
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Add a Comment665 Comments
I am the one who posted earlier in the month of June about how I had recieved my period after my boyfriend had touched me after putting his thing back into his pants. I would just like to say that I am doing much better! I spoke to my mom about therapy and unfortuantely she has said no for the time being. But instead she has helped me by talking about the situation with me. She was not very happy about what happened but I know she was glad I talked to her about it. I got period again RIGHT on schedule for June. It was lighter though, and more brown discharge was present then usual, but my period has been known to be lighter. It still lasted roughly 7 days though. Unfortuantley, right at the end of it I got a yeast infection but luckly I treated for it right away and it was gone within a few days. For some reason though I thought this had to due with pregnancy? This isn't correct right? Can tampons cause yeast infections? I seem to do very good about knowing that pregnancy is not possible but as soon as I get close to when my period should arrive I worry a little bit.uuuugggg!!! This is soooo frustrating!!!! I just want to get over it!!! I will say I AM better then before. My worry is only at times not as constant. Also a friend of mine just had her baby, and it has freaked me out once again ha I'm sorry...
July 2, 2012 - 2:16pmThis Comment
Hi Anonymous,
Your breasts being sore is probably your pre-menstrual symptoms and not pregnancy issues. I wouldn't be too concerned about possible pregnancy, rather just that your period is coming soon. Hope that helps.
Missie
June 16, 2012 - 6:25amThis Comment
My boyfriend fingered me last week, I'm pretty sure nothing got on me cause he had his pants on the whole time, but now my boobs have been feeling sore and grew a bit for about a week also. And about 2 hours ago I felt really sick and hot and like if I was about to throw up, but I just cooled down and went to the bathroom, and my 2 minute sickness went away. Could I be pregnant, or could my breasts just be growing still? I'm 15 and I'm just really scared please help! Also I'm supposed to start my period tomorrow or the next day, maybe it's just pms symptoms? Help please I'm very very scared!!
June 16, 2012 - 3:51amThis Comment
Can someone please reply to my post that I made on the 30th of may?
June 7, 2012 - 9:50amThis Comment
Me and my girl were dry humping on my car, she was on top. We both were wearing jeans and underwear (4 layers in between). I ejaculated but in my underwears, not that much, there was no stain in my jeans at least.
what worries me is that my girl, started ovulating the day after that, meaning she was fertile the day we dry humped.
Can she be pregnant?
Could that small portion of semen pass thru all four layers of fabric?
i'm worried beacause some sites say it that semen can pass thru cloths, and some say it does not and dies. Which confuses me.
June 3, 2012 - 1:50amreply please...
This Comment
If you read the article on this page you would find your answer. What you have described does NOT pose a pregnancy risk!! Even if your girlfriend was ovulating. sperm cannot, I repeat cannot travel trhough clothing. they have to have semen to swim in and the clothing would absorb the semen giving the sperm no where tto swim Relax you are fine:-)
June 3, 2012 - 10:05amThis Comment
same situation, can someone reply plz?
June 3, 2012 - 8:34amThis Comment
Missie, I posted on the 5th, the one you replied too. Thank you sooo much for replying!! You guys all do a great job on this website!! I got my period on the 18th, two days earlier then last months(this didn't bother me, it actually made me happy, ha I know periods can change and last month I was a day early) anywaysssss I bled heavy for about 3-4 days then my last two days were lighter. My period used to last for 7 days but the last few have only been 6 days. I am not pregnant correct? I wasn't worried at all until today ha I read somewhere that some women do get their periods, but that was probably implantation right? And mine was heavy to begin with, with severe cramps those first 3 days(like usual I ALWAYS get horrible cramps: /) so it can't be implantation right? I talked to my mom about the incident the same day I posted on here. She told me not worry ha butttt I don't feel like bothering her again so that's why I am asking you. Could I be pregnant still? I don't feel any other symtoms. Sometimes I get a little sick to my stomach but that only happens when I start thinking about it and worrying. Once again thank you for your help it is greatly appriciated. And I apologize for being so uneducated. I already spoke with my boyfriend and he respects my not wanting to engage in any sexual acitivities anymore.
May 30, 2012 - 8:33pmThis Comment
My boyfriend and I were foreplaying. He took of his clothes and I did to. He placed his penis on the top of my inner thigh and it was a bit wet . but seconds later before the penetration he put on a condom. should i worry about pregnancy?
May 28, 2012 - 4:56pmThis Comment
Hello Anonymous,
You run the risk of getting pregnant any time you have penis to vagina contact. If your boyfriend's penis came in contact with your vulva, which is your outer genitalia, or entered your vagina, you would have felt it.
The thin, milky vaginal discharge may have been your own vaginal lubrication, which increases when you are sexually stimulated.
Try to relax. Stressing out over the possibility of being pregnant can cause a delay in the start of your period.
In the future, you should use some type of birth control. Your boyfriend can use condoms or you could start taking birth control pills. You have discovered how fooling around can advance to removing your clothing and so on.
Maryann
May 15, 2012 - 4:46pmThis Comment