Get Ready, Get Wet: Shower Sex

Whether you're enjoying some self-care solo play or looking to change up the environment while getting down with a partner, the shower can be a great place to explore. In fact, when it comes to popular places to have sex other than the bedroom, sex in the shower (or bath) has been reported to top the list (alongside getting busy in the backseat--which, if you're interested in public play, here's our blog on that).

Why is shower sex so steamy?

It engages our senses

The additional sensations beyond those created by our own bodies can completely shift how we experience pleasure. The heat of the water, the cool hard tile, the echo of sounds from our bodies and moans, the smell of sweat and sex mingling with the fragrance of soap, the slickness from all of the wet--there's so much to take in.

New environments encourage new exploration

If you find yourself in a sexual routine that you're looking to expand, a simple change of location can make all of the difference--and a trip to the shower is a lot easier to plan than a vacation. You can embrace spontaneity and allow for the physical space to help drive new positions and techniques to discover what feels best.

Easy clean-up

If you're interested in play that can get a little messy (or, just as valid, you're concerned about it), you can incorporate taking an actual shower into your sex. Use the running water while you play to rinse off sweat, cum, or other bodily fluids--this can be especially handy during rimming, period play, watersports, or any other "dirty" deeds you love or want to explore.

Get some needed privacy

The bathroom is a great place to get away from prying eyes, and the sound of the running water can help to mask sounds and vibration noises. Plus, when you emerge from the shower looking flushed and with your hair a little mussed, it's nothing that should raise an eyebrow.

Safety first

Before you dive in to shower sex, there's a few things to keep in mind:

Slippery when wet

Smooth tile coupled with the slickness of lube and water, with the added risk of the design of many showers not having much to get a good grip on, can mean a higher chance of slips or falls than play on a soft surface like a bed. Make sure that you're able to stay aware of your body and your balance so that you don't fall and hit a body part on the hard shower floor or slip mid-thrust and cause injury to a limb or appendage (yes, that definitely includes the penis).

Safety tip: Consider investing in a non-slip mat so you can keep steady footing, or explore positions where everyone feels stable before getting into the motions. Oh, and make sure there's no rogue shampoo bottles that can get knocked over and roll under your feet unexpectedly.

Safer sex is essential, even in the shower.

Yes, you can get pregnant or get an STI when you're in the water. Even if you wash out or rinse off bodily fluids during or after play, soap and water do not get rid of the potential for STI or bacterial transmission or the chance of pregnancy. You should still use a barrier if that's something you want or need to consider.

Yes, you'll still probably want lube.

While water will get things wet, it won't lubricate the body--in fact, it can actually rinse away some of the body's natural lubrication and cause more friction. And don't reach for your toiletries, either--shampoo, conditioner, body soaps and lotions are all designed to clean the outside of the body, and shouldn't be used internally since they can cause irritation to our more sensitive bits, where you can cause infections, UTIs, or mess with the healthy microbes in the booty and vagina.

For play with toys, a thicker water-based lube will last longer, since it has more body and won't rinse off quite as quick - try Babelube Gel. If you're playing body-to-body or with barriers, silicone lube won't rinse away with water and is great for going longer while using less - a fave to recommend here is Pjur Silicone.

Keep in mind that lube isn't only going to make the body slicker, but any other surface it comes in contact with - like the shower floor. So, be aware of any drips or drops - or try a lube shooter for more precision with your application.

Sex toys for the shower

One way to up your shower sex game is to bring some toys in! So many materials are shower-friendly, like silicone and ABS plastic - and more and more vibrators are being designed to keep their motors sealed under waterproof bodies so you can take them for a dip.

How to know if your toy is shower-friendly:

Most sex toys will come with a guide (or insert with directions) that lets you know what level of waterproof your toy is - if it is at all. Here are some key words to look out for:

• Splashproof or Water-Resistant: These toys can get water on them, but aren't always designed to get very wet or be wet for a long amount of time. Check the insert / guide for your toy - if it doesn't say outright that your splashproof or water-resistant toy is able to be used in the shower, it probably isn't.
  
  
• Waterproof: Waterproof toys are almost entirely sealed to protect against water entering the toy and are safe to use in the shower, but may not be able to be completely submerged underwater, like in a bath or pool.
  
  
• Submersible or IP7X Waterproof: These toys are built so that the motor is completely sealed and protected against water. They can be used in the shower or in the bath, since you can submerge them.
  
  

Our fave sex toys for the shower

Tiger Vibe G5: The ripples of this toy paired with the sensations of the shower make for quite the pleasure combo. A flexible shaft means that you can shift to more angles comfortably, and the ingenious design of a looped handle makes it easy to keep hold of - even with water and lube.

Womanizer Wave: This isn't just a shower-friendly toy, it turns your shower into the toy! Inspired by the ever-popular use of the showerhead as a masturbation tool, Womanizer incorporated three different styles of water jet into this easy-to-install showerhead so you can explore different sensations. Plus, the sleek design hides in plain sight - and it works incredibly as a regular shower tool as well!

Neon Vibes The Flirty Finger Vibe: Add a fluttering motion to the feeling of running water and you have a recipe for some serious sensation. This finger vibe has flickering bunny ears as well as a smooth body with 10 settings to explore. A sleeve built into the silicone of the toy makes it easy to slip onto a digit to keep it securely in your hands as you play.

VibePad: Take a seat in the tub or on the shower floor and saddle up for 7 powerful vibration settings perfect for grinding, humping, leaning back on during penetration, or simply having a really sexy seat. Two motors on a contoured pad can be used to stimulate the vulva, the clit, the perineum, testicles, anus - anywhere you wanna grind it.

We-Vibe Touch X: This submersible palm-sized vibe is great for all-over external stimulation. Slip the contoured shape over the clit or under the head of the penis, or use the tapered tip for more pinpoint sensation with a powerful deep and rumbly motor that can tease and please.

Manta: Not only is the name aquatic themed, but this super-unique stroker is fully waterproof for play from the bed to the bath and beyond. Velvety vibrating silicone wings encircle the shaft of the penis, targeting the nerve-rich frenulum or allowing for some sexy stroking. And, again, that innovative looped handle from Fun Factory is a splashy game-changer.

I Rub My Duckie: We couldn't make a shower play list without bringing in a fan-favorite discreet bathroom toy, this 7-setting waterproof vibe that can stay at the ready in your shower, hidden in plain sight. Rub My Duckie, we're awfully fond of you.