How can I have safe sex in hot water?

Dear Waterman and Curious,  

Sex in water can surely make a splash, but it can also bring about some slippery situations. While safety can be defined several ways, this response will focus on preventing pregnancy and protecting against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It’s important to emphasize that when sperm is ejaculated directly into the vagina, not in the water, you’re just as likely to get pregnant as if you were on land. Water also can’t protect against STIs, so opting for condoms can help you avoid getting into any hot water.  

However, once sperm leave the body, their survival is highly dependent on the environment. Pools and hot tubs, for example, create conditions that are generally hostile to sperm, meaning sperm are likely to die more quickly than they would at room temperature. It’s unlikely that sperm ejaculated into the water would survive the combination of heat and chemicals in a hot tub, but the research on this is minimal. Even so, the vastness of the body of water would make it too difficult for the sperm to swim to the vagina. Read on to learn more about sex in hot water and how you can make it more comfortable. 

Do heat and chemicals in a hot tub kill sperm? 

Whether you’re in a hot tub, jacuzzi, or pool, pregnancy is still possible if semen directly comes into contact with the vaginal opening and travels through the cervix to fertilize an egg. But semen outside of the body is a different story. Outside of the body, sperm typically live from a few minutes to an hour. In water, like a hot tub, the combination of heat and chemicals reduces their lifespan. There isn’t much recent research on the survival of sperm in hot water with chemicals like chlorine and bromine. So, while the research doesn’t explicitly say that the hot tubs will immediately kill semen ejaculated into the water, it’s very likely the area of the water is too vast for sperm to swim to the vaginal canal and cause pregnancy — the sperm aren’t just waiting around for someone to get pregnant. 

Additionally, while heat may affect sperm quality, the heat from a short stint in the hot tub isn’t enough to prevent pregnancy. Frequent exposure to extreme heat may reduce or disrupt sperm production. So unless your partner spends a lot of time in hot tubs, they’re unlikely to experience heat-related effects on their semen.  

Do hot tubs affect condoms, lubricants, and spermicides?  

Sex in water can also make it more likely for a condom to break or slip off. A water-resistant, silicone lubricant can keep this friction from dampening the mood. You might also consider opting for a shower instead of a hot tub or bath. In the shower, it's easier to keep lubricated and prevent irritating chemicals or products from coming into contact with the genitals. 

The effectiveness of spermicide can be reduced in swimming pools or hot tubs, as it may be diluted or washed away. Also, the water in swimming pools and hot tubs can wash away water-based lube or the vulva’s natural lubricant. This can produce friction, making penetrative vaginal or anal sex more irritating.  

How can you make sex in water more comfortable?  

For the water-inclined, having sex in the shower could be more comfortable than in a hot tub or pool. Since the genitals aren’t fully submerged in water during shower sex, there might be less friction and irritation. You also won’t be dealing with irritating pool chemicals or bath products, which aren’t friendly to the genitals.  

However, the water from the shower can still wash off natural or water-based lubricants during penetrative sex. A silicone, water-resistant lubricant can help keep things slippery down below. Another idea is to keep the shower and bath for kissing and other foreplay.  

Regardless of the kind of sex you’re having, though, you might consider some anti-slip shower mats. These can keep a steamy moment from turning into a doctor’s visit.  

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With a little advance planning and enough lube, sex in water can really float your boat. But if you’re experiencing any irritation or discomfort, you might find that you prefer getting down on dry land.