ALTHOUGH it may seem like a great idea at the time, combining swimming pools and sex can be a dangerous proposition.
There are several key reasons why it may be better to avoid underwater love — here we take a dive into the dos and don'ts.
What are the risks?
Many experts have given their opinions on the subject of getting intimate in a pool with your lover and the potential dangers that can arise.
Just like with hot tub sex, Dr Sheila Loanzon, an obstetrician, gynaecologist and a Fellow of the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said there are several health risks to take into consideration.
"Due to the chlorinated water in pools, the exposure of sensitive vaginal skin to that water can cause pH changes in the vagina, which can lead to vaginal infection (yeast or bacterial)," she told Bustle.
But there are also numerous other reasons you should think twice before getting hot and heavy in the water…
1. Water is not a good lubricant
Contrary to popular belief, water does not lubricate your intimate area.
Yes, you may be wet, but water is no good at having the desired effect your private bits.
In fact, it actually tends to wash away any natural lube and lead to friction, which can sometimes result in painful sex.
2. Increased risk of pregnancy and STIs
Did you know that having sex in water can actually increase the risk of accidental pregnancy and contracting STIs?
That's because condoms are less likely to work underwater.
The lack of natural lubrication means your protection is much more likely to break or slip away — sometimes without couples realising.
3. Pool chemicals can cause infection
Chlorine and other cleaning agents used in pools can disturb the vagina's balance of good bacteria and pH balance, leading to thrush, inflammation and bacterial vaginosis.
Gynaecologist Dr Vanessa Mackay told Metro Online: "If a woman has sex in a pool there is a chance chemicals could enter the vagina and irritate it."
While any microbes could increase your risk of bladder infection, and being in natural water — such as a pond, river or the sea — could put you at risk of other infections.
4. Wee-ly gross
According to research from the University of Alberta, the average pool contains around 10 litres of other people's urine.
So if the thought makes your whole body cringe, it might be better to keep it in your swimming shorts and save sex for the bedroom.
And aside from other people's urine, there are many other off-putting substances that can end up in and around public swimming pools, such as vomit, faeces, nappies and sanitary products.
5. It's not as glamorous as it looks
As well as all the potential risks of getting down and dirty in the water, there's also a basic safety rule.
Swimming pools have hard, slippery surfaces, which means it's reasonably easy to fall over and injure yourself.
In 2021 a man even tragically lost his life after drowning while attending a swimming pool sex party.
Our conclusion is sex and water simply don't mix — so it's best to resist the temptation this summer and mix it up in other ways instead.
But if you can't resist the temptation and have taken all necessary precautions, it should go without saying that you should avoid having sex in pools that are accessible to the general public — and if it's not your own private pool, always ask consent from its owner.
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