Knowing what to do before sex and what to do after sex is important for both safety and hygiene. Practicing proper hygiene can help you avoid problems such as urinary tract infection, as well as certain yeast or fungal infections. It can also help lower the risk of sexually transmitted infections or STIs.
Whenever people talk about personal hygiene, people usually think about brushing their teeth, taking a shower, using a deodorant, etc. However, there is such a thing as sexual hygiene, and it’s very important for those who are sexually active.
In a nutshell, sexual hygiene is how a person can keep themselves clean and free from illness or disease before, during, and after sex. It’s not just about using a condom during sex, but also the habits and practices that a person needs to do whenever they have sexual intercourse.
Here are some important things to remember.
What you need to do before having sex:
To stay safe, be sure to use a condom
One of the easiest and simplest ways to keep safe during sexual intercourse would be to use a condom. Ideally, it should be a latex condom, and not made of natural materials.
The problem with natural materials is that they are not as strong as latex or polyurethane condoms. Additionally, they may be degraded by certain lubricants. This means that they can have small tears or punctures, which can transmit disease or result in unwanted pregnancy.
It’s also a good idea to check the expiration date and make sure that the condom is still in good condition and well-lubricated before using it.
If you and your partner are engaging in anal sex, it would be advisable to use a condom at all times. This can help lower the risk of infection for both you and your partner.
Be sure your partner has no STIs
It might be an awkward conversation, but talking to your partner about sexually transmitted infections is crucial when it comes to sexual hygiene. This is especially important if you are having sex with someone for the first time.
It would also be a good idea to use a condom or to engage in other forms of non-penetrative sex to minimize the chances of infection if you are unsure about your partner.
[embed-health-tool-ovulation]
Take a shower or wash up before having sex
Sex that is spontaneous and not really planned out sounds great, but sometimes it can lead to some hygiene issues. This is why taking a shower or just washing your genitals with soap and water is a good idea right before you have sex.
This not only helps minimize infection, but it is just good manners to make sure that you are clean and fresh down there before you get down to business.
Here’s what to do post sex:
Urinate after having sex
Urinating after having sex is common advice for a lot of people. Some say that the act of urinating after having sex helps “clean” your urinary tract, but there is no evidence to support this claim.
However, people who hold in their urine are more prone to having UTI. So it’s a good idea to urinate after having sex, just so you are sure that your bladder is empty.
Wash your genitals afterward
It is also a good idea to wash your genitals after having sex. Ideally, you should use soap and water to do this. You do not need to scrub too hard, just make sure that your genitals are clean. This can help in reducing the possibility of UTI, yeast infection, and fungal infections that you might acquire.
If you engaged in anal sex, it would also be a good idea to wash your anus as well.
If you use toys, be sure to clean them before and after use
Some couples use sex toys to spice up their sex life. While using toys can make sex fun and exciting, they can also be a vector for infection and disease.
If you or your partner use sex toys, be sure to keep them clean and disinfect them before and after use. Sex toys can be breeding grounds for bacteria and other harmful parasites, so cleaning them well can help lower your risk of infection. Additionally, store them away from children and do not share them with others.
Manufacturers usually provide cleaning instructions, so be sure to follow those instructions properly. It would also be a good idea to avoid buying or using toys that have not been certified as safe for use, or toys that are unbranded and do not have any safety information. These toys may be cheaper, but they may have harmful substances that can cause irritation when used.
By following these hygiene tips, you can make sure that you and your partner are both healthy and free from disease.
Learn more about Sexual Wellness here.
