Underwater Sex: What First-Timers Need to Know about Pool Sex

    Underwater Sex: What First-Timers Need to Know about Pool Sex
    Updated 03 February 2023 |
    Published 09 December 2019
    Fact Checked
    Tanya Tantry, MD
    Reviewed by Tanya Tantry, MD, Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Medical Consultant at Flo
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    Every piece of content at Flo Health adheres to the highest editorial standards for language, style, and medical accuracy. To learn what we do to deliver the best health and lifestyle insights to you, check out our content review principles.

    The ocean, a lake, or a hot tub may all sound like romantic locations to have sex. But is sex in water all it’s cracked up to be?

    We’ll share what you should and shouldn’t do to prepare yourself and your partner for a safe and fun time. 

    Can you have sex in water?

    First things first: Can you have sex in water? The answer is yes, you certainly can!

    Sex in the water is much the same as it is on land. There are some big additions, however, such as water surrounding you and your partner’s bodies.

    This can encourage you to try new positions, relax, and have more fun. But sex in the pool also presents things for you to be concerned about, such as waterborne bacteria and vaginal dryness. Depending on the body of water you’re in, such as the ocean, a lake, or a chlorinated or ozonated swimming pool, you may also run the risk of irritating your vulva and vaginal walls and developing a rash. 

    You can have sex underwater, but you need to be careful. Read on to discover the pros and cons of swimming pool sex and underwater sex. 

    Pros of swimming pool sex

    If you’re dreaming about having sex in a pool with your special someone but wondering, “Can you have sex in water?” then read on.

    There are some serious advantages to having sex in a pool, such as:

    • Buoyancy: When you’re having sex in the pool, your body is more buoyant. You can wind your legs around body parts that you just couldn’t on land. 
    • Space: You can feel completely free to stretch out and explore the entire pool while you and your partner stimulate and arouse each other. Whether it’s a large or small pool, you have more space to move around and explore. 
    • Privacy: Your own private pool is a great place to play in. Usually, there are walls or partitions that protect your private property from the neighbors. 

    Just be sure that you’re in a private pool and not having public pool sex. While it may be exhilarating and voyeuristic to avoid getting caught or seen in a public pool at night, it’s completely against the law. Nothing can bring a sexual experience to a screeching halt faster than an arrest for public sex and indecency. 

    A couple having swimming pool sex

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    Cons of swimming pool sex

    There are also some legitimate cons when it comes to having sex in water.  If you’re wondering, “Can you have sex in water?” these are some reasons that may make you change your mind.

    Swimming pool sex isn’t all romance, and there are many myths about having sex in water that need to be cleared up, such as:

    • Water is drying: Despite what many people think, water is not a good lube. On the contrary, it wicks away your natural lubricants and oils and makes the vulva and vagina dry. Having sex in the water can cause friction that can lead to a rash or vaginal tears.
    • Pregnancy: There is no swimming water that is a sure-fire spermicide, not even a hot tub or chlorinated pool. Some people think they don’t need protection because a pool will kill the sperm or they aren’t going to ejaculate inside the vagina. Sex in the pool can lead to pregnancy.
    • Bacteria/parasites: Choosing to have sex in the water exposes you and your partner to the possibilities of infection by bacteria or parasites that can enter your vagina during underwater sex. 
    • Condom breakage: The chlorine in pools actually weakens the material that condoms are made of, which increases the chance of breakage when having sex in water. This increases the chances of transmitting STIs as well as becoming pregnant.
    • Water-based lubricants: If you use a water-based lubricant for sex in a pool, it will wash away once water is introduced, which may cause dryness and pain. 

    Tips for underwater sex

    There are a lot of reasons not to have sex underwater. But if you’re careful, you can still have a safe and romantic time. Try some of these tips to stay healthy and safe while having swimming pool sex:

    • Find privacy: Don’t break the law while you have sex in a pool. Use your own private property to enjoy underwater sex.
    • Use the right lube for the type of sex: Silicone-based lube won’t wash away like water-based lube, so you can ensure less friction and more pleasure.
    • Be smart in the water: If you or your partner aren’t strong swimmers, stay close to the shore. Ensure that you both have swimming knowledge if you are in the ocean, in case of an undercurrent or if one or both of you get swept out too far.
    • Inebriation: Drowning is still a concern when you spend any amount of time in the water, so be sure you aren’t having sex in water after drinking.
    • Use protection: Underwater sex does not protect you from STIs or pregnancy, so be sure to use condoms and take extra precautions. Chlorine or hot tub water can make condoms weaker, so check for breakage when you’re done.

    If you follow these safety tips and guidelines, you can still have amazing sex in the pool. Talk with your partner and allow each other to be honest. Having sex underwater can be scary, and one of you may not be as ready as the other. Take things slow and try many different positions. Use foreplay to start, and go at your own pace. 

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    What type of contraception to use for underwater sex

    The best type of contraception to use when having underwater sex is an external condom worn on the penis. This helps prevent STIs and pregnancy. 

    If one or both partners are on birth control, a condom is still a good idea to prevent STIs. Because you and your partner will be in the water, make sure the condom is the right size to accommodate the environment. 

    A condom that’s too big may slip right off when having sex underwater. A condom that’s too small or too tight will increase the chance of breakage. An ill-fitting condom does not protect you or your partner as it should, so make sure it fits. An internal (female) condom may slip out while underwater.

    Check your condom frequently between sexual positions, as the chlorine in a pool will weaken the structure of the condom. Do not layer two condoms on top of each other to compensate; it will only increase the risk of breakage. Remove the condom after ejaculation and put on a new one. 

    The takeaway

    Can you have sex in water? Yes, but with extra care. While having sex in the water sounds like a really good idea, it’s an entirely different sexual experience and has different rules.

    Take care of yourself and follow the tips for having sex in water. Be sure you have the right lube, the right contraception, and the right body of water for you and your partner’s safety. Once you’ve covered the bases, you can have fun and enjoy underwater sex.

    History of updates
    Current version (03 February 2023)
    Reviewed by Tanya Tantry, MD, Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Medical Consultant at Flo
    Published (09 December 2019)
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