Frottage/Outercourse

Tabby Kibugi at Get Me Giddy explores what you should know about dry humping.

Read the full article or check out an excerpt of my contributions below:

Also referred to as frottage or outercourse, dry humping involves friction produced by grinding or rubbing of genitals and is mostly done through clothes. It's viewed as a lower-risk sexual activity because there is no exchange of bodily fluids.

Can you get pregnant while dry humping?

The risk of pregnancy when dry humping with a partner is very low.

"If you have thick fabric covering both of your genital areas, it would be exceedingly difficult for sperm to find its way up to the vaginal canal to fertilize an egg," said Indigo Stray Conger, an AASECT certified sex therapist. "As long as there isn't any penetrative sex, it's quite unlikely that you'll get pregnant while dry humping," she concluded.

Can you get an STI?

"The most important safety precaution is to wear clothing thick enough to ensure that there is no bodily fluid being exchanged," Conger advised. "Wearing only undergarments could potentially allow sexual fluid to seep through the fabric and come in contact with another's genitals."

Being naked with a sheet or blanket between the two of you would mean the fabric may not be secure. In the heat of the moment, such a fabric could shift, allowing sexual fluids to come in contact with your genital areas. Therefore, it's best to keep your clothes on for safety purposes.

"When an active STI like HSV or HPV is present, this raises the risk of transmission while dry humping since sexual fluids would not have to be present for exposure to happen," Conger explained. "If you have thick fabric covering the breakout area, risk would be extremely minimal."

Benefits of dry humping

While it's often underappreciated, frottage poses various benefits. Dry humping is a great form of foreplay that can set the mood and build up to the main sexual activity, or even be the main activity.

"The clitoris often doesn't get enough stimulation during penetrative intercourse, yet can also be very sensitive to direct touch," Conger said. "Therefore, it's an excellent way to build friction against the clitoris without direct stimulation feeling too intense."

There's also the risk-reduction angle. Trepidation about pregnancy or STI transmission can put a damper on your libido. Adding a layer or two of clothing can make you both feel safer and more willing to explore.

"Replacing intercourse with dry humping means minimal exposure to STIs or risk of pregnancy," Conger explained. "This also reduces the need for conversations, such as those about birth control."

If you want to experience sexual pleasure without engaging in penetrative sex, dry humping can be a great alternative.

"For individuals who have difficulty with penetrative sex, perhaps due to anxiety or erectile issues, taking penetration off the table can result in fantastic, stress-free orgasms," Conger said.

Incorporating some of your sex toys into the mix can also elevate your dry humping experience.

"A vibrator, particularly one with multiple settings for vibrations and intensity, can be incorporated over the clothes and placed between partners while grinding," Conger recommended.