What is Dry Humping? A Guide on How to Hump for Sexual Pleasure

Dry humping! Who knew that one could have so much fun with their clothes on? Yes, indeed! Dry humping is a fun, safe, and pleasurable way to enjoy sexual satisfaction, with or without a partner. 

While many may believe that this kind of sexual act is for turned-on teens, it’s actually a very arousing activity that can be great as an act alone or a type of foreplay or main event for partners that can lead to orgasm.

Why is it fun, safe, and pleasurable? Well, dry humping can lead to orgasm without the risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 

There are different names for dry humping, such as dry sex, outersex, and grinding, but the one thing remains the same; it is “dry” Dry means that there are no body fluids exchanged between partners.

Let’s start with the basics before we dive deeper into dry humping, shall we?

What is Dry Humping? 

So, you want what it is and how to hump! OK, a definition of dry humping includes: rubbing one’s genitals against a partner or an object with clothes on in such a way that there is no penetration or oral sex involved. This is done to gain sexual arousal and pleasure.

For example, rubbing or grinding genitals against a partner’s body or genitals during partnered play or rubbing clothed genitals against a pillow or piece of furniture during solo play.

While some people may take their clothes off, the essence of the activity is to keep your clothes on.

Is there a right or wrong way on how to hump? Nope! It can be enjoyed however you feel most comfortable and pleasurable. 

Standing up, lying down, sitting down—as long as you’re rubbing yourself, or your partner, in such a way that there is friction against your genitals.

What’s the Difference Between Dry Humping and Sex?

As we mentioned, dry humping doesn’t involve penetration, so there is no direct genital contact. Penetrative sex involves genital contact, which can bring about different kinds of sensations as well as different benefits and risks.

Dry humping is safer than penetrative sex.

What’s the Difference Between Dry Humping and Masturbation?

Dry humping is a type of masturbation, even though many individuals believe that masturbation means directly touching the genitals. Why? Because during dry humping the genitals are stimulated via various means, such as via another person’s body, a bed, object, or pillow. Essentially dry humping is considered masturbation. 

Dry Humping Solo

Still, doing it solo at first may be the best option to see how you like it, If you’re new to this kind of act and want to know how to hump. Perhaps you haven’t masturbated at all yet, or you feel like direct contact with your genitals is a bit overwhelming. 

To try dry hump solo, to find some private time and a comfortable space. Then choose suitable soft items, such as pillow or blanket. Once you’re ready, the only thing to do would be to grind or shove into the object you’ve taken in such a expressway that you detect sexual pleasure.

Dry Humping with a Partner

Before dry humping with a partner, you may want to discuss what it means to both of you. Is it an act of foreplay? Or are you doing it as a means to delay direct contact with the genitals or sex?  

Benefits of Dry Humping

Besides the benefits we’ve mentioned above, there are some other things can be seen as a plus when engaging in dry humping.

dry humping is an alternative for those who want to remain abstinent due to cultural, religious, or whatever other reasons. It gives individuals the opportunity to experience sexual pleasure without direct genital contact. A study has shown that abstinence-only education programs are not all that effective and may even lead to riskier sexual behaviour, making dry humping a better alternative.

Being Safe While Dry Humping

While dry humping is a fairly safe sexual act, there are some things to take note of. 

For example:

• Wear soft, smooth apparel to help chafing and friction vexations on the genitals.
• Avoid zippers or belt buckles to shake injuries.
• Wear clothes to remove the chance of STIs and pregnancy.
• If you choose to wear minimal clothing, be aware of the risks involved if there is any skin-to-skin contact, such as STIs.
• If there are holes in clothing, it could lead to an STI or pregnancy.
• If someone sits naked on a surface where there is ejaculate, it could lead to pregnancy.

Tips to Make Dry Humping Even Better

Just for good measure, if you’re just now learning how to hump, here are some ways to make it even better.

Dry humping positions

For vulva owners: you could rub your clitoris against a pillow by lying on top of it or holding it between your legs, then rubbing and squeezing your crotch against it. Or, stack three pillows and ride the pile. Additionally, put a pillow at the corner of your bed and straddle it. Another position could be to straddle and ride an armrest by rubbing back and forth or side to side.

For penis owners: if you have a padded spot between your mattress and your box spring, you could place your penis in between by standing facing the mattress and leaning your body in accordingly. Use the space to thrust in and out.

Sex toys

Using the same techniques as above, you could bring sex toys into the mix, adding an extra bit of stimulation. For example, you could use a massager wand such as Pearl for external use across the body, enjoying its 10 powerful modes for pleasure. Or a slim bullet massager like Lite with three speeds and 10 modes for a jolt of sexual bliss.

Clothing

For vulva owners, wearing thin, silky materials can enhance sensations. Also, more pleasure can be experienced via the clitoris if the fabric of your underwear is tucked between your labia.

And for penis owners, loose materials will make for extra room for an erection.

And so, it’s evident that dry humping is something sassy and fun for everyone, no matter the age, gender, or if it’s being enjoyed solo or with a partner. And there are so many creative ways to have fun with it too!