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
Hey Alison, I've read your article and I was wondering this: my boyfriend and I dry humped around 2 weeks ago. He had his cotton underwear on, and I had my lace panties on. He didn't ejaculate, but I gave him an oral before we humped, so is there any chance I can get pregnant through this, because of the pre-cum that probably happened during the oral, or because my panties were too thin? I'm supposed to have my period around 1 week ago and I'm starting to freak out. Thank you so much, I'm waiting for your reply.
September 7, 2011 - 6:31pmThis Comment
Here is the answer from TeenGrowth.com:
July 29, 2011 - 5:31pmIf kept warm at body temperature (like on the skin or in a warm test tube), sperm remain motile for several hours. Inside the female reproductive tract, they can live for up to 7 days. Sperm are very sensitive to temperature and moisture and will eventually die outside the body, but since each ejaculate may contain as many as 750 million sperm, and it only takes one sperm to result in pregnancy, precautions are essential. Ejaculation anywhere near the vagina, without condom use, should be a reason to consider emergency contraception
This Comment
I have a question how longan sperm survive out of the human body?
July 29, 2011 - 3:32pmThis Comment
No, sperm are microscopic and cannot be seen with your eyes or felt in your hand.
July 20, 2011 - 4:50pmThis Comment
Hi, I have a question if someone had sperm on there hand would you beable to feel/ see it thanks.
July 20, 2011 - 2:30pmThis Comment
So if we were dry humping both wearing jeans and underwear and he said he came, I can't be pregnant? My period is unusually late by three days and I'm having a lot of discharg.. Help /:
July 20, 2011 - 12:30amThis Comment
Once outside of the body sperm begin to get weak. They aren't strong enough to make it through both yours and your boyfriends underwear and jeans and then get you pregnant.
Your period may be late due to stress. If it gives you peace of mind, you can test for pregnancy if you don't get your period by the end of the week.
Keep us posted,
Rosa
July 20, 2011 - 6:59amThis Comment
Can Touching a spot of cum on the opposite side ( so where it soaked through) can that transfer sperm on to your hand
July 19, 2011 - 6:51pmThis Comment
Anon,
If he didn't see sperm on his hand, then there was no sperm and no possibility of sperm. I'm sorry that we cannot you a "yes" or "no" answer but understand that we can only speculate based on what you're saying. If there was any sperm on his fingers then there is a slight possibility that you could get pregnant. If not, then there's no chance. Just wait for your period to arrive and, like MaryAnn said, if it is late by one week-- take a pregnancy test.
Good Luck,
Rosa
July 20, 2011 - 6:56amThis Comment
Hi,
July 19, 2011 - 5:40pmI doesn't matter how long you touched your vagina. What matters is if one sperm got on your finger and then came in contact with your vagina. All it takes is one sperm to fertilize one egg to lead to pregnancy. It is not very likely that you could be pregnant from this encounter. Wait for your period to come. If you are late by one week, take a home pregnancy test. Next time, be careful.
This Comment