What is scissoring and how do you do it?

Did they grow up smoothing out Barbie doll’s non-existent vulva? Do their plastic limbs perch in gay hugs as Ken lies dejected in his toy box?Congratulations Also Perhaps you have a little interest in scissors.

And it seems you are not alone. A look back at 2022 for Pornhub Searches for “lesbian scissoring” increased by more than 151% globally last year, revealing that women are 155% more likely to search for “scissoring” than men.

Luckily, we got you: Here’s an expert guide on one of the commonly misunderstood sex How to act and scissors.

What is scissoring?

Scissoring, also known as tribbing, is primarily defined as a sex position between two humans with vulva. However, the term is often applied primarily to describe other forms of non-penetrative activity.

Generally, people associate scissors with vulva-vulva contact. Tribbing is also used to describe this, and to indicate that someone grinds the vulva of a part of their partner’s body for reasons of sexual gratification. “It’s more common to use it to include more than vulva-to-vulva friction, such as vulva-to-thigh or vulva-to-feet.” Doctor Michele O’Mara(opens in new window)a relationship coach focused on lesbian relationships.

However, this is not the right word when it comes to semantics. “A more accurate term for this is frottage, from the French word. listen,in short Rub. Frottage is the rubbing of two bodies together for non-penetrative sex,” says O’Mair. Friction between impermeable penises.

Okay, confusing. But it doesn’t necessarily matter what the stuff in your bedroom is called, as long as you and your sexual partner have a clear, shared and agreed understanding of what you want to try. If so, or if the terms have different meanings, please explain what position or activity you would like to have.

How do you scissors?

One of the most popular interpretations of tribadism, or tribbing, is basically a form of dry humping, but without clothing. knee movement(opens in new window) (Where to move your knees and put pressure on your partner’s clitoris during a fully clothed makeup session) you just have to that — but minus the clothes to increase the intensity.

But when we talk about “scissors,” we imagine something a little more specific, right? rightSpecifically, it conjures up images of two people spreading their legs (mimicking the blades of a pair of scissors) and rubbing their vulva together.

Unless you happen to be quite advanced in gymnastics, you may find that this requires a little writhing or repositioning. “The goal is to have your vulva in contact with your partner’s vulva in the most comfortable position possible.” Scissors can be a very strenuous activity, so stretching beforehand is always a good idea if you want to minimize the chance of a sex-related injury. To do. Focus especially on the legs, groin, and inner thighs.

If you stick to scissoring or tribbing for long sessions, it’s important to use a lubricant for better glide. “This is a friction-based activity, and friction is much better with lube. If you rely on natural lubes, you are less likely to have a good time. will become,” says Lori Beth Bisbay, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and sex/intimacy coach.

Bisbey also says that if you want to take things up a notch, you might want to add stimulation in the form of a sex toy. , you can add a clitoral vibrator in between to enhance your sensations.”

Are STDs still at risk for scissoring?

As with any form of sexual contact, it’s important to play safe when it comes to tribbing.

Since scissors are primarily a non-penetrative sexual act, you might think that they do not transmit STDs. However, this is especially not the case when direct genital-to-genital contact is involved. “You risk exposure to sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes, genital warts, HPV, or other infections that can be transmitted through vaginal fluids, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea,” says O’Mara.

However, due to the frictional element of the practice and the fact that it is primarily associated with people with vulva, traditional and safer sex barriers may not work. is used for penetration or oral sex, latex or nitrile gloves are used with safer fingers, and a dental dam (latex or polyurethane sheet) is placed on the vulva during cunnilingus. But scissors prevent the use of either of these — the most likely of these options is a dental dam, which is unlikely to stay in place during an intense scissor match.

This is one of the reasons why it’s so important to attend regular sexual health exams and share this information with your partner. “It’s hard to create a way to protect the barrier by scratching, so it’s important to stay up to date on STD testing and share this with your partner on a regular basis,” he says. . “Abstain if there are signs of an active outbreak.”

Do lesbians really do scissors?

Scissors is something of a “controversial” activity within the lesbian community. When I ask myself about gay persuasion, they refute these presumptions, wide-eyed, scissors simply impossible.

But the reality is that lesbians and other queer people can actually get to grips with the scissors from time to time. 2015 Autostraddle Survey(opens in new window) It even suggests that 40% of WLWs (women who love women) do so on a regular basis.Ah Research(opens in new window) O’Mara’s own research suggests the figure is even lower, at 33%.

It’s unclear how many people are scissoring or tribbing, but it appears to be a fairly common activity among lesbians and queer women. But you can participate in Tribbing.”

While the term may be mostly associated with gays, anyone interested in a non-penetrative erotic rub can chat with a sexual partner and give it a try. If everyone participates and the necessary precautions are taken, you have nothing to lose!

scissoring sex positions

If you’re wondering how to get started, we can give you specific clues on how to do scissors. Luckily, Omara is right around the corner, bringing her years of experience in the homosexual realm.

“Perhaps the most difficult position for each person is to lie on their back with one person with their head at the head of the bed and the other with their head at the foot of the bed,” she explains. Each partner moves the leg closest to the other with one partner lifting the leg in the air and the other leg moving under the lifted leg.”

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Once you’ve decided on the position, it’s time to get closer and start rubbing. “Now their bodies are engaged with each other, with one foot resting on top of the other, in a position where the vulva connects. From here, both partners move to the other until the vulva touches.” “If possible, they can grab each other’s hands and use them as leverage. In this position, each partner, or only one partner, has physical strength and maneuverability.” One of them, if they have sex, can start rubbing against each other.”

This position, with one partner between the legs of the other, is called missionary scissors and allows both individuals to move their hips and groins. There are alternatives. For example, it may be easier to cross your legs if one partner is sitting on your side while the other is on your back. Or, one person could be sitting upright with their legs spread apart and he’d have one between them.

However, it is important to note that scissoring is not achievable for everyone as it involves stretching and frequent movements and some may find it uncomfortable. recommends focusing on contact from the vulva to the thighs, stomach, or buttocks.

And for those with more limited exercise, Bisbey has some parting advice. support pillow Having a cushion makes working with scissors easier,” she explains.

So there you have it: do scissors cut in your sex life?