Is It Safe to Have Pool Sex?

Sex is an intimate act between partners that can bring lots of excitement and bring people closer together. Some people like to take their sexual experiences beyond the bedroom to keep things spicy. A commonplace for sexcapades is the swimming pool. Many people find having sex in the pool to be quite adventurous.

Although pool sex may be fun for many, there are risks associated with this sexual act. STDs, urinary infections, accidents, and privacy concerns, are just a few issues that can arise from having sex in the pool.

Why do people like pool sex?

• Space. You have more room to be sexually intimate with your partner(s). It can also be beneficial for people with mobility challenges.

• Pleasure. Some people may find pool sex more pleasurable than bedroom sex.

Why sex in the pool can be unsafe

Here are seven reasons pool sex can be unsafe.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

There’s a common myth that during the summer, the heat from water kills STDs and sperm. However, this is simply not the case. While hot water can reduce sperm function, there’s still a potential for one or more sperm to connect with a woman’s egg.

Having sex in a pool can increase your risk of developing an STD. Without lubricant, pool water can break down the materials within a condom, making it less effective against STDs and unwanted pregnancies. Also, oil-based lubricants can break down condoms, so they should be avoided during pool sex.

It’s important to note that you can only get an STD from sexual acts, not just from swimming in a pool. An STD’s survival rate vanishes after being outside of the body. In addition, chlorine, which is used to clean pools, can kill most bacteria, including STDs.

Water drys out the vagina, natural lubrication

Water can dry out the vagina, washing away its natural lubricant. Without lubrication, it can cause more friction during sexual intercourse, potentially creating microtears in the vagina, penis, or anus. Tears in genital areas can increase the risk of STDs and nonsexual infections.

A lack of lubrication can also cause dyspareunia. Dyspareunia can cause genital pain before, during, and after sexual intercourse. Dyspareunia primarily affects women but can also occur in men.

Bacterial infections

If the vagina is exposed to pool water, there’s a higher risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI). Unfortunately, pools can contain urine and feces, creating a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause a UTI. In addition, low levels of chlorine can allow more bacteria to develop in an unkempt pool. In addition, bacteria can grow in moist, warm environments, such as your bathing suit, increasing the risk of a UTI.

You should always urinate to flush out germs from sexual intercourse to limit your chances of getting a UTI.

It affects vaginal pH balance

Chlorine can alter the pH balance of the vagina. As mentioned, chlorine’s role is to kill all bacteria in pool water. Unfortunately, chlorine can also kill healthy bacteria in the vagina that is used to protect the vagina from bacterial infections. The vagina’s microbiome contains beneficial bacteria that sustain vaginal health and act as a barrier against harmful bacteria.

When the vagina’s pH is drastically altered, the fungus can grow, potentially leading to yeast infection and other vaginal infections.

Privacy concerns

Unless you have a private pool, it can be risky to engage in public sex. This is because you can be caught by onlookers and potentially be arrested and charged for public sex and indecency. With this in mind, always ensure that you’re asking for consent when using someone else’s pool, and avoid having sex in pools that are accessible to the general public, like community and hotel pools.

Risk of pool-related accidents

Pools can be quite dangerous, as many hazards exist inside and outside the pool. Engaging in activities like sex only increase your chances of having a pool accident. Pool accidents that can occur with sex include slips and falls, drowning, drain injuries, hair entrapment, and electric defects.

Certain sex positions

There are sex positions that aren’t considered safe in the pool. Any position that requires a partner’s head to be underwater should be avoided.

Ways to protect yourself during pool sex

If you still want to enjoy sex in the pool, here are some preventive measures you can take to ensure your experience is pleasurable and safe.

• Get tested regularly. You and your partner(s) must stay up-to-date with STD testing. Recurring STD tests keep you and your partner(s) safe from transmitting an STD inside and outside the pool.

• Use pool features. As a safety precaution, use pool features to prevent accidents. For example, you can use the stairs, rails, or the pool's edges to keep yourself steady while engaging in sexual intercourse.

• Use protection. Using condoms can protect you and your partner(s) from STDs and unwanted pregnancies. Avoid using female condoms, as they’re more likely to slip out.

• Try silicone-based lubricants. Silicone-based lubricants last much longer in the water than water-based lubricants. If you’re allergic to silicone, speak with your doctor to see what other options are available.

• Avoid drugs or alcohol. Don’t have pool sex if you or your partner(s) are drunk or under the influence of drugs. There’s a higher risk of drowning when drinking or drug substances are involved.

• Incorporate sex toys. Many waterproof sex toys are safe to use in pool water.

• Ensure everyone is comfortable. Before engaging in pool sex, ensure everyone involved has consented to the activity. Engaging in pool sex may be uncomfortable for some, so ask everyone before initiating any sexual acts.

Many people enjoy having pool sex. While pool sex can bring excitement and adventure to your sex life, it’s essential to be aware of the potential risks associated with this act. Having sex in pool water can increase your risk of STDs, unwanted pregnancies, tearing, urinary infections, and other complications. In addition, having pool sex can put you in legal trouble and possibly lead to fatal accidents like drowning. If you engage in pool sex, take the proper precautions to ensure you and your partner(s) are safe.