When you hear the term dry humping, your brain may transport you back to some core memories of learning how to masturbate for the first time or hooking up with your crush in the basement of your parent’s house. But if the last time you tried dry humping was back then, you’re doing your orgasms a serious disservice right now.
Although dry humping is commonly thought of as foreplay or something to do before having penetrative sex, there’s nothing to say dry humping can’t be the whole damn act itself. Especially for people with vulvas, the grinding creates a friction that leads to tons of stimulation — even if you have your clothes on.
“You may really liven things up in your sexual routine by incorporating dry humping,” sex therapist Emily May says. “It’s a fantastic way to develop anticipation and experiment with various feelings without the strain of sexual activity.” Plus, you don’t need a partner to dry hump: it can be something you enjoy exclusively by yourself.
If you’re ready to revitalize your horny teenage years, the following sex experts share more on what is dry humping and how to dry hump, exactly. Take this is your cue to reintroduce it to your sex life. (You won’t regret it.)
Experts Featured in This Article
Emily May is an AASECT certified sex therapist and writer at Private Sugar Club, an online dating platform.
Carol Queen, PhD, is a sexologist for sex toy retailer Good Vibes.
What Is Dry Humping?
Dry humping is a form of moving your body against someone or something without actual penetration. “It’s all about the delightful friction of bodies rubbing together, usually with clothes on,” May says. It’s ideal for those who like to hump, grind, or rub their body against something or someone.
Even though the act is called dry humping, there’s a very good chance it won’t make you feel dry at all. This is because dry humping stimulates the entire crotch area, so you may find that it’s an “excellent way to build arousal” or even orgasm, sex therapist Carol Queen says.
One of the most obvious benefits of dry humping is that it is a safe form of sex. Because it doesn’t involve any sort of internal penetration, dry humping is great for people who prefer clitoral stimulation and for those who want to minimize pregnancy risk, Dr. Queen adds.
Plus, it just really feels good. When combined with making out, fingering, nipple play, or even just strong eye contact and dirty talk, dry humping is “very genitally stimulating for people of any gender and body configuration,” Dr. Queen says.
How to Dry Hump
Dry humping can look and feel however you want it to. If you have a partner, you can begin by sitting or laying down and simply moving your body against them in a way that feels good. (For a lot of people, that’s in the straddling position.) Once you’ve found a movement that feels good, “discover a rhythm that suits you both, then start having fun,” May adds.
If you’re by yourself, dry humping is a great activity to incorporate into your masturbation routine. Simply hover over and hump a firm pillow or invest in a grinding sex toy to maximize your external pleasure. Again, there’s no right or wrong way to dry hump. So long as you’re doing it in a way that feels good, you’re doing exactly what you should be doing.
Taylor Andrews is a Balance editor at PS who specializes in topics relating to sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health, and more.