Can Frottage Lead to an Itchy Penis?

Clearly, penetrative intercourse is one of the most pleasurable sexual activities around, but there is definitely something to be said for a little frottage. Like any form of direct-contact sexual activity, there are some risks to penis health that can be associated with frottage - and an itchy penis is one of them. Fortunately, taking a little extra care can often help keep the frottaged penis from descending into the realm of the itchy penis.

What is frottage?

If a person wants to be 100% technically correct, frottage refers to any kind of non-penetrative sexual activity in which the genitals of one partner are rubbed against or otherwise stimulated by any body part of another partner. Under this definition, a person being masturbated by another person (thereby engaging in hand-to-penis stimulation) would be engaging in frottage, as would a man whose penis brushed repeatedly against a partner’s thigh or breasts.

In practice, however, frottage is usually reserved for occasions in which there is non-penetrative genital-to-genital contact. So if two men rub their penises together, or a man rubs his penis against a woman’s vagina, they would be practicing frottage.

Is it safe?

The question often arises as to whether or not frottage is considered safe sex. The answer really depends upon the way in which safe sex is defined. For example, it is very unlikely (though not impossible) to contract HIV through bare-genital frottage. The practice is also not considered high risk for transmission of STIs like syphilis either. (Although again, it is not impossible for such transmission - and using condoms decreases the likelihood even further.)

However, there are a number of STIs that are more commonly associated with frottage. These include herpes, warts, scabies and chancroids. (Again, the use of condoms can reduce the risk of such infections.)

The itchy penis question

There also are more "benign" issues that could result from frottage, including those that can bring about an itchy penis condition. Some possible causes could be:

- Yeast. Rubbing a bare penis against another penis with thrush or against a vagina with a yeast infection can easily allow the infection to be passed on to a previously-clean penis.

- Latex allergy. If one partner wears a condom and the other does not, the latex may cause an allergic reaction if the bare penis is especially sensitive. In some cases, even if the penis does not have an allergy to latex, the condom may simply rub the delicate penis skin the wrong way.

- Contact dermatitis. An itchy penis and accompanying rash can easily develop on a penis that rubs against another penis or a vagina that has been exposed to harsh chemicals from soaps, detergents, perfumes, etc. If a metal cock ring is involved, or if the partner penis or vagina contains piercings that house metal components, the penis may react with a "rash" thanks to the friction caused by the metal.

Precautions

Those who are worried about getting an itchy penis from frottage can take some precautions. Wearing a condom (if one is not allergic to it) is always a good option for minimizing itch. Bathing the partner’s genitals with a non-allergenic soap and water mix can be fun as well as a good way to remove any potential itch-causing chemicals. And above all, ask if the partner has any issues (e.g., an STI, a yeast infection, etc.) before engaging in sexual play.

If frottage does lead to an itchy penis for simple dermatological reasons, know that using a superior penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) can help to alleviate the itchiness. Be sure to find a crème that contains a dynamic duo of moisturizers, such as a high end emollient (Shea butter is excellent) and a natural hydrator (simple vitamin E works well). Well-moisturized skin is less prone to itchiness. If the crème contains pantothenic acid (also called vitamin B5), so much the better. Pantothenic acid is used in products that fight eczema and other skin rashes, so it can help decrease the need to scratch the penis as well.

Penis Health and Frottage: Safety Tips

Frottage is defined in a number of ways. Some people mean "dry-humping," or rubbing the genitals against another person while both are clothed; some people use the word to describe the highly illegal and immoral practice of rubbing oneself against others in a crowd for sexual pleasure. Here, frottage will refer to the act of two or more bodies rubbing together clothed or unclothed to achieve sexual stimulation. Since it is a type of sexual activity that involves no penetration, some may think that the practice is 100% safe. Yet that may not be the case. In the interest of maintaining optimal penis health, men need to know the risks associated with this activity.

Pregnancy?
  
Anytime a man’s semen enters a woman’s vagina, there is a possibility of pregnancy. Researchers still aren’t sure if pre-seminal fluid can cause pregnancy, but it may be able to do so. This means that people engaging in genital rubbing may still run the risk of conceiving if they allow the man’s fluids near the opening of the woman’s vagina.

STIs?
 
Sexually transmitted infections can be passed through skin-to-skin contact or through bodily fluids like penile or vaginal discharge, or blood. Some STIs that can be contracted through bare frotting are herpes, HPV, HIV and pubic lice.

It’s always a good idea to ask sexual partners the following:

- When were they last tested, for what, and what were the results?
- Have they had new partners since then?
- How well do they know their past partners’ sexual histories?
- Do they use condoms with other partners?

Other Infections
 
Jock itch is caused by an overgrowth of the tinea cruris fungus and is a common groin rash among men. Though it rarely impacts women, it is possible for the fungus to spread to them.

If a woman has a yeast infection, she can pass it through her fluids to a man. Even if he’s not penetrating, if she is wet and his penis gets her fluids on it, it’s possible to contract the yeast infection.

Chafing
 
Rough, dry skin is a common result of friction, and there’s no shortage of friction while frotting, especially if partners are doing so clothed. The vaginal area may become sore and raw, as may the penis. Both these results often come along with penetrative sex as well.

Safety First
 
Frotting partners will be safest if they take precautions against possible health issues related to the practice. If pregnancy is not desired and the partners are engaging in genital rubbing, it’s a good idea to use condoms even though penetration isn’t occurring. This can also help prevent the spread of any infections that may be in the area, although it doesn’t guarantee this.

Another thing couples may want to do is use lubricant while frotting. This can help prevent a lot of dry skin and chafing issues. If wearing clothes, try to avoid rough materials like denim and garments with buttons or zippers.

Men may overlook the importance of skin care, but maintaining healthy penile skin is imperative not only for the look and feel of the manhood, but for its ability to sense pleasure as well. That’s why it’s a good idea for men to use a quality penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil). With both Shea butter and vitamin E, this crème is a fantastic moisturizer made specifically for the penis. It also includes acetyl L-carnitine, which protects nerves from the kind of damage that often comes with rough handling. This may help men maintain a high level of sensitivity, meaning a more pleasurable sex life. Keeping the penis in peak condition is always advised, and doing so is easier with Man1 Man Oil.

Penis Health and Frottage - What Are the Risks?

Frottage, or the rubbing of one's genitals against those of another person (or against another body part), is a popular sexual activity, especially among youth. One of the attractions of frottage is that men assume it comes with no chance of penis health issues. However, that is not exactly the case, and those for whom appropriate penis care is a concern should learn a bit more about what risks are involved when engaging in frottage.

What is it again?
Technically, frottage is any form of activity in which the genitals of one person are stimulated through contact with a body part of another person (or persons). A man with a foot fetish, for example, could be considered to be practicing frottage if he were to rub his penis against a partner's foot for sexual pleasure. While frottage usually brings to mind naked genitalia, a couple can frot while clothed; thus, "dry humping," or the rubbing together of genitals while clothed, could be thought of as a form of frottage.

For the purpose of this article, however, frottage will be considered as specifically the rubbing together of two (or more) sets of naked genitalia. It can involve either mixed gender partners or same sex partners.
Frottage is a popular activity among young partners who have not yet lost their virginity, as well as among adult gay men; however, adult heterosexual partners also delight in the practice.

Health risks
When considering the health risks associated with frottage, it's important to note that this discussion concerns only sex acts in which there is no penetrative sex in addition to the frottage. Practicing unprotected oral sex or vaginal or anal intercourse adds in a layer of additional risk that won't be considered here but which all responsible sexual partners need to consider.

Frottage is one of the "safer sex" activities, but transmission of health issues is certainly possible. After all, when organ skin is rubbing against organ skin, and when penile and vaginal fluids are being secreted during the activity, there is always a possibility for spreading conditions from one infected person to a non-infected person.

The following are some of the health issues that might occur from bare skin frottage:

- Pubic lice and scabies. These irritating parasites are easy to catch from direct skin-to-skin contact. Neither is considered a serious issue, but the itching and discomfort they can cause, as well as the embarrassment they engender, can be a significant bother.

- Genital herpes. One of the most common sexually transmitted infections, genital herpes is also one of the hardiest. The recurrence rate of the bumps is very high, so avoiding contracting it in the first place is advisable.

- HPV and genital warts. The human papillomavirus (HPV) and the possible resulting genital warts are much more likely to occur as a result of penetrative sex, but there is some risk from frottage's direct skin-to-skin contact. Many may opt to be vaccinated for prevention of HPV.

- Chancroid. An infected individual with sores can easily spread this painful bacterial infection.

- HIV. The chances of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission through frottage are very, very low; however, if blood or genital fluids of an infected individual enter an open wound, it is possible.
Being aware of the risks and knowing the sexual history of one's partner can help prevent the spread of these issues during frottage, as can using a form of barrier protection.

There are also more common penis health issues that can occur during frottage, such as passing on a rash or incurring a slight dermatological issue that causes itchiness and soreness. Including a top-notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) in a man’s routine can help with these. A crème containing a high-end emollient like Shea butter is a great resource against dry, flaky skin. Also good: a crème with vitamin A, which has potent antibacterial properties that can add a strong element of protection for general penis health.