Is Bed Humping the Same as Edging? Normal Behavior or a Sign of Addiction

Masturbation comes in many forms, and bed humping is one of the most common ones. 

But, it might not be as harmless as you think! Like any sexual habit, if bed humping becomes compulsive, it is a red signal. 

Similarly, if your bed-humping habits disturb your partner, then it creates relationship stress. In rare cases where bed humping results from a medical condition, there might also be legal consequences. 

What is Humping the Bed?

Bed humping is a specific type of dry humping where a person presses and moves their pelvic area against the mattress, pillows, or blankets for self-stimulation. 

During bed humping, the person is usually clothed and can be alone or with a partner. It is just another form of masturbation with arousal and orgasm, where the bed provides the friction necessary for sexual pleasure. 

Why do people develop the habit of bed humping?

1. Normal sexual self-stimulation

Rubbing against the bed or pillow is a common form of masturbation. Even adolescents and teens often explore by touching or rubbing their body parts. 

2. Habit, stress relief, and conditioning

People can unconsciously develop the habit of bed humping to deal with boredom, stress, or difficulty with falling asleep. 

3. Sleep-related parasomnia (sexsomnia)

In rare cases, a person might hump the bed while asleep without awareness. It’s a period of brief arousal during deep sleep. 

Is Humping the Bed Normal? How common is it?

“I hate to admit this, but I’m only 14 and really need help. I started dry humping my mattress when I was about 10, and still do.” – A Reddit user.

Yes. Bed humping is a common and normal masturbation practice. While specific data on bed humping is scarce, we can examine the general masturbation rates to understand how common it is.

1. A 2022 study found that 60% of men and 36.5% of women had masturbated in the past month.
2. A paediatric review has noted that nearly 100% of boys and about 25% of girls have masturbated to orgasm by the age of 15.

Dry humping, i.e., using a pillow or bed humping is a common masturbation practice. So, it is safe to assume that a significant section of teens and adults have at least occasionally used bed humping. 

Is Humping the Bed Considered Masturbation or Edging?

Many people wonder: Is humping my bed masturbation or edging? Here is the answer – Bed humping is how you masturbate, whereas edging is a strategy during masturbation.

1. Masturbation – Self-stimulation and bed humping are considered masturbation by default. 
2. Edging – Delaying the climax. If you are bed humping to delay your orgasm, then it can be considered edging.

What Is the Difference Between Bed humping, Dry Humping, Masturbation, and Sex?

1. Dry humping

Rubbing or grinding the genitals against an object or another clothed person. It is also called an outercourse.  

2. Masturbation

Self-stimulation of the genitals for sexual arousal and orgasm. It can be done with hands, sex toys, or by humping the bed.

3. Sex

Involves penetration and is generally done with a partner.

4. Bed humping

Involves both dry humping and masturbation, but is not considered sex. 

Is Humping the Bed Harmful?

Generally, humping on the bed or humping the bed is not a physically harmful activity. However, as it is a form of sexual activity, if the habit of humping the bed becomes compulsive or uncontrollable, then it is a point of concern. 

1. If you are noticing that my bed humping is causing me distress or disrupting my daily activities, then it is harmful. 
2. If the bed humping is too aggressive or prolonged, it can irritate or even cause physical damage to your genitals. 
3. Sexsomnia is a diagnosed condition with safety and consent implications for the partner involved. 

What Are Myths and Misconceptions About Dry Humping?

Here are the most common myths about dry humping or humping the bed

1. Can you get pregnant from dry humping? Odds are extremely low if you or your partner is fully clothed.
2. Is it only for teenagers? People of all ages enjoy dry humping and consider it part of foreplay or non-penetrative sex.
3. Is it always safe? Excessive bed humping can irritate the skin, and some STDs, such as HPV, can spread through skin contact. 

How to Stop Humping the Bed (If You Want To)

Humping on the bed seems casual, but people do struggle to quit the bed humping habit and try all sorts of strategies. 

A Reddit user advised to “Firstly, never sleep on your stomach, because then you’re lying there in the perfect position anyway. Second, I found something else to occupy my mind until I drifted off.”

If you are feeling “I should stop humping my bed,” here are the steps that will help –

1. Remove easy access – Keep your phone and laptop in another room. You can also avoid sleeping alone to stay clear of temptation.
2. Limit exposure to erotic content – Install a porn blocker to prevent indulging in pornography just before or during bedtime. 
3. Identify your emotional triggers – Observe what triggers your urge to humping on bed – boredom, stress and so on.
4. Stay busy – Find alternative hobbies to occupy your mind during high-risk time. Exercise and resulting endorphins also help with managing your triggers.
5. Seek professional help – Get support from a counselor or a therapist to address underlying issues of shame or distress.
6. Peer support – Joining a support group or confiding in a trusted friend helps to take the pressure off and focus on recovery.
7. Improve sleep hygiene – If you suspect sexsomnia, maintain a regular sleep schedule and avoid alcohol or heavy food before bedtime. 

How can BlockP help?

Porn or unexpectedly coming across an explicit image on social media can trigger the urge for humping the bed. Using a porn blocker like BlockP keeps you safe online by blocking all porn and nudity on your phone and laptop.

1. Porn blocking – BlockP has AI-powered filters that can detect and block explicit content at the network level. It lets you add custom keyword filters and prevents access in incognito mode or with a new browser. 
2. Accountability – BlockP lets you add an accountability partner. They can set a password to prevent you from changing the settings and uninstalling the App. So, even in moments of temptation, you are protected.
3. Behavior change – Beyond porn blocking, BlockP supports emotional regulation. It gives you features such as community support, focus mode, motivational quotes, and meditation prompts for managing cravings.