So you’ve just gotten laid… what now? Sex is fun and all, but after-sex care is crucial to keep your genitals clean to avoid any UTIs, STIs, vaginal irritation, and all the not-so-fun stuff. Though hopping out of bed and cleaning yourself right after sex seems like the right thing to do, it’s actually not entirely true. According to experts, the vagina has its own self-cleaning mechanism, which includes good bacteria that help keep the pH levels healthy and balanced. However, this all depends on what happens during sex (ya filthy animals, jk), your risk of infection, and hygiene preferences. Though there’s no reason to give yourself deep cleaning in the shower after sex, there’s no harm in practicing some of these post-sex regimens to keep your vagina (and your sex drive) happy and healthy!
Pee
It’s always a good idea to pee after sex, especially for women! Since women have shorter urethras compared to men, bacteria can easily come into contact with your urinary tract, which is just above your vagina. Peeing after sex, ideally within 30 minutes after sex, would help flush those germs out!
Wash Gently
Your vagina would be very sensitive after sex, so make sure to keep your clean-up simple. Rinse your vagina with warm water if possible. However, avoid using any intimate washes, wipes, creams, sprays, or anything that claims to clean your private parts. They might do more harm than good.
Make Sure You Wipe From Front To Back
Your urethra and anus are pretty close together, which means the chances of you spreading bacteria to your urethra is much higher. So make sure to wipe from front to back at all times!
Don’t Douche
You don’t need to clean the inside of your vagina! According to specialists, this removes the good bacteria from the vaginal area, which might lead to pH difficulties. It doesn’t prevent conception or sexually transmitted disease, and it actually raises your infection risk!
Wear Breathable Underwear/ Go Commando
After gently cleaning your private parts, you can either change into fresh breathable underwear, or just go commando. Yeast infections and urinary tract infections can be caused by wetness on your vulva, so avoid wearing underwear that is overly tight or made of nylon. We need all the air circulation we can get!
Drink More Water
You’re probably tired and sweaty after a session of roughhousing under the sheets, so take a break, and drink some water. You don’t wanna dehydrate your body (or your vagina)! Plus, if you drink more water, you’ll urinate more, which means more bacteria that cause UTIs will be flushed away!
* Photo by Dainis Graveris on SexualAlpha @ https://sexualalpha.com/
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