There's nothing hotter—or more convenient—than getting down and dirty in a body of water. (You're already half-naked and wet, so why not?) But as tempting as it is to have sex right there in the ocean, pool, hot tub, or whatever—is it safe?
Well, that mostly depends on how and where you're going at it.
Here, we outline a few of the issues that come with sex under the sea (or any body of water, for that matter), so you know what's at risk.
Bacteria
Public bodies of water are gross. Rivers, lakes, and oceans all contain bacteria that are essentially thrust into your hoo-ha during sex. Hello, UTIs and yeast infections.
The same goes for pools and hot tubs, especially if the water hasn't been properly chlorinated. When the water's pH levels are out of whack, disinfectants don't work as well, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Plus, "the bacteria and chemicals can cause micro tears in the vaginal mucous membrane, upping your risk of infection," says Sara Twogood, M.D., assistant professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at the Keck School of Medicine in California.
Friction
Meanwhile, water (ironically) dries out your vagina by washing away the natural lube your body produces during sex, says Antonio Pizarro, M.D., a board-certified gynecologist in Shreveport, Louisiana. That friction can lead to more micro tears and infections, no matter what kind of H2O you're banging in. One word: ouch.
Condom Fails
It can also make practicing safe sex way trickier. "Condoms aren't as reliable in water," says Twogood. "They can slip off or tear more easily, and chemicals or other substances in the water may reduce their efficacy." But that doesn't mean you shouldn't be using them at all. Condoms are still your best bet for protecting against STIs and unwanted pregnancy, she says. Adding a silicone-based lube to the roster can help keep friction to a minimum.
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So, want some alternatives? Instead of doing the dirty in a nasty hot tub or sketchy lake, you could always incorporate H20 into your foreplay routine (like oral in the shower or getting handsy in your backyard hot tub), and then do the whole penetration thing on dry land, says Twogood. Another option: shower sex. "The same precautions for condom use apply for both shower and submerged sex, but the risk of infection and vaginal irritation is less likely," she says.
Krissy is a regular contributor to Prevention, and she also writes for Cosmopolitan, Weight Watchers, Women's Health, FitnessMagazine.com, Self.com, and Shape.com.
