The Hidden Dangers Of Having Sex In The Shower – Health Digest

If we’re to believe what we see in movies, the shower is the hottest, most delicious place on the planet to have sex. From the perfect amount of steam that makes seeing a bit difficult, to the small, confined location that doesn’t allow for much movement (or creativity), shower sex should be on everyone’s sexual bucket list. If only to realize that movies are selling us a load of bunk.

“Any sex position done in the shower [is risky],” sexuality researcher and educator Dr. Wendasha Jenkins Hall, Ph.D., told Insider. “Water and soap raises the risk of slips and falls. Falling on a faucet or out of the tub or shower completely can increase one’s chances of cuts, bruises, and broken bones.” While potential injuries during shower sex — no matter what sexual acts you’re engaging in — may not only make sense but seem completely obvious (especially for those of us who lack basic balancing ability), these things are nothing compared to the hidden dangers involved.

Although everyone who’s sexually active should probably give shower sex a try at least once — sooner rather than later, so as to avoid breaking a hip — you want to go into the experience with your eyes open and your facts straight. That way, should your romp in the shower go rogue and end up being not at all what you imagined, you won’t be totally surprised.

Picture it: you’re in the shower with your partner, and things are going from frisky to sexy real fast. So, in a moment of rationale, you pull a towel (or something similar) onto the shower floor to prevent any slipping. Then you resume, thinking that’s the only precaution you need to take for your safety. If you and your partner are using birth control and are fluid bonded (meaning you’ve both been tested for STIs, know your statuses, and therefore don’t use condoms), then yes, you’re good to go. But if you’re not fluid bonded and you’re not using a hormonal birth control (or the hormone-free IUD), then you absolutely want to have condoms within arm’s reach. 

The simple reason for this is that water doesn’t wash away semen that’s been ejaculated inside someone with a vulva. Once the semen is in there, there’s no turning back. It has a job to carry millions of sperm cells deep into the uterus in the hope of finding an egg to fertilize, and no amount of water is going to magically stop the mission or remove it. Similarly, shower sex isn’t going to prevent STIs because, again, the water doesn’t have the ability to wash away the bacteria that causes these infections. That’s why condom use during shower sex is paramount. Unless, of course, you’ve already taken the steps to prevent STIs and pregnancy on a regular basis. 

What’s interesting about shower sex is that while the water doesn’t prevent pregnancy or STIs through washing semen away, the water does wash something away: natural vaginal lubrication. It doesn’t matter how aroused you are or how wet you might think you are, water — no matter what kind of water source you find yourself having sex in — washes the vagina right out, which can lead to painful penetration. Because of this, you want to consider using lube.

“If you don’t have silicone lube but want to get down anyway, just be aware that the vagina may experience irritation due to the water’s interference with natural lubrication,” sex educator Erica Smith told Refinery29. “This could mean micro-tears, abrasions, or irritation after the fact.” Although vaginal tears are relatively harmless and heal on their own, they can make your vagina more susceptible to STIs and other infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bacterial vaginosis. Having sex in the water can also disrupt the pH balance of the vagina, leading to possible yeast infections. Then, of course, if you do opt for lube to prevent these tears, you’re introducing even more slipperiness to the equation, which is something to be mindful of during lube application.

For the most part, shower sex is one of those things that’s far better in theory than in practice. While there are those who love it and have mastered it, coming out unscathed every time, not everyone else is so lucky (or balance-inclined). But, again, if it’s something you’ve always wanted to try, then go for it. Just be smart about it.