Post-sex hygiene is important so as to avoid certain infections. These are usually more frequent in women but can also affect men.
For one, women often develop cervicovaginal diseases due to poor hygiene after an intimate encounter, as detailed in a publication in the Journal of Gynecologic Oncology.
So, can you do anything to improve hygiene and prevent them? That is, what post-sex hygiene habits should you adopt? Continue reading, we’re about to tell you all about it.
General recommendations
Genital infections are due to poor hygiene habits in a large number of cases. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi propagate quite easily when there’s no proper cleaning. Thus, the following is generally recommended:
- Taking a bath before and after sex.
- Change your intimate apparel daily.
- Skip the sex if you have a genital infection.
- Be particularly mindful of your post-sex hygiene if you have several sexual partners.
There are other things to consider in addition to the above recommendations. We’ll address them in more detail below.
Post-sex hygiene – key points
Urinating is a key point for proper post-sex hygiene as it helps eliminate any bacteria present during sexual contact. Similarly, drink enough water as it helps you pee more frequently by hydrating your body.
Peeing helps eliminate bacteria present in a woman’s urinary tract and. thus, decrease the risk of cystitis. Of course, don’t drink excessive amounts of fluids either because it can be harmful.
In the case of men, urinating can contribute to the prevention of sexually transmitted urethritis, caused by sexual contact.
Other recommendations
- Wash your hands, face, and any other part of the body that may have been in contact with a person’s sexual organs, in addition to the genitals.
- Use a specific soap in your intimate area.
- Use moisturizing gels in your intimate area.
- In addition, use only neutral soap to avoid irritation.
- Avoid excessively washing with products that can harm your intimate areas, especially if they’re not made specifically for it (most of these alter the pH of the vaginal area and can cause dryness and other wounds).
- Use cotton intimate apparel and avoid anything too tight or made of synthetic fabric as it leads to excessive sweating, which alters the vaginal microbiota.
- Similarly, adopt and maintain a well-balanced wholesome diet.
- Finally, exercise proper sleep hygiene as it has a huge impact on your sexual performance.
Post-sex hygiene – other things to consider
Apart from the previous suggestions, it’s important to remember that women need proper stimulation for a healthier sexual experience.
This is because the lack of lubrication increases the chances of injuring the genital mucosa. Resort to artificial lubrication in case of excessive dryness. Stick to mild formulas, free of irritating components though.
In general, following these guidelines for post-sex hygiene will allow you to enjoy your sexuality safely and to the fullest. In spite of this, it’s always a good idea to regularly consult a gynecologist so they can determine if there are any infections or if you need specific guidelines to maintain the good health of your intimate area.
