Frottage, or the rubbing of one's privates against those of another person (or against another body part), is a popular sensual activity, especially among youth. One of the attractions of frottage is that men assume it comes with no chance of male organ health issues. However, that is not exactly the case, and those for whom appropriate male organ 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 sensual organs of one person are stimulated through contact with a body part of another person (or persons). A man with a foot thing, for example, could be considered to be practicing frottage if he were to rub his member against a partner's foot for sensual pleasure. While frottage usually brings to mind bare privates, a couple can rub privates while clothed; thus, "dry sensual activity," or the rubbing together of privates 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 bare privates. It can involve either mixed gender partners or same gender partners.

Frottage is a popular activity among young partners who have not yet engaged in penetrative activity, as well as among adult gay men; however, adult straight 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 sensual acts in which there is no penetrative sensual activity in addition to the frottage. Practicing unprotected oral gratification or female organ or posterior play adds in a layer of additional risk that won't be considered here but which all responsible sensual partners need to consider.

Frottage is one of the "safer sensual" activities, but transmission of health issues is certainly possible. After all, when organ skin is rubbing against organ skin, and when manhood and female fluids are being secreted during the activity, there is always a possibility of 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:

• Private 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.

• HSV bumps. One of the most common social diseases, HSV is also one of the hardiest. The recurrence rate of the bumps is very high, so avoiding contracting them in the first place is advisable.

• HPV and private warts. The human papillomavirus (HPV) and the possible resulting warts are much more likely to occur as a result of penetrative sensual activity, 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.

• Immunodeficiency virus. The chances of this virus’s transmission through frottage are very, very low; however, if blood or sensual fluids of an infected individual enter an open wound, it is possible.

Being aware of the risks and knowing the sensual 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 male organ 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 male organ 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 male organ health.