Even if you don’t want to get out of bed, following these good post-sex habits can save you from the consequences of not having sex.
Post-coital (after sex) hygiene can help prevent infections and germs that can cause more serious health problems.
You might want to skip this part and go straight to bed, but that window after sex is when you want to take steps to ensure no unwanted bacteria is growing, especially in places you can’t reach.
There are many things you can do to clean up, but here are the most important things you should do.
Write even if you don’t have to
During sex, foreign molecules, including bacteria, can easily enter the urethra, putting you at risk for urinary tract infections.
The best way to get rid of these pesky intruders is to pee, even if you don’t feel like it.
If you really have nothing to pee, drink a glass of water, have a short but romantic hug, then go to the bathroom.
If you still need more time, there are other things you can do first when cleaning.
- Wash yourself
A full shower will take care of most of the post-coital checklist.
Avoid using water that is too hot or too cold, as your private parts will still be sensitive after being intimate.
Use mild soap. No extra scents or even feminine cleansers that can mess up the pH in your vaginal tubes.
There are many products from the pharmacy that help to “keep it fresh”.
It’s detergents, perfumes, lotions, wipes and sprays made with harsh chemicals that aren’t good for your skin and can cause breakouts and other skin problems. Also, avoid using scented pads and tampons.
If you haven’t taken a full shower, rinse gently with warm water or dry any areas of your body that may be exposed to bacteria with a clean, damp towel.
- Rinse your mouth with a mouthwash.
Also, rinse your mouth with mouthwash to kill germs and bacteria in your mouth.
Enjoy the preliminaries, but don’t forget to clean up afterwards. Some sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea (whoops!) can also occur in the mouth.
Mouthwashes in particular are most effective in killing bacteria for this purpose.
When you brush your teeth, you can transfer bacteria to your toothbrush, and you obviously don’t want that.
Gargle and spit for 15-20 seconds, then wash those nasty germs away with water.
- Wash your toys
It’s perfectly normal to use toys and lubricants to facilitate intercourse, but they need to be washed off.
A little soap and warm water is enough to kill most germs. If you want to be extra careful, you can boil silicone toys to kill bacteria.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions before immersing any battery-operated or mechanical item in water or subjecting it to sterilization temperatures.
- You can’t spray
This is one of the things on my list of things not to do during the cleanse.
Flushing with water is an incorrect, outdated method and is not currently recommended, as it has been found that flushing can increase infection rather than eliminate it.
The vagina has its own self-cleansing mechanism that contains beneficial bacteria to help maintain a healthy and balanced pH level.
It is rare that extra help is needed to keep the vagina clean. Do your part to keep the area clean, but your vagina will take care of itself.
- Change into clean clothes and new underwear.
When you’re intimate with your partner, it’s almost impossible to remember what’s going on with your clothes.
Bacteria thrive in body fluids that can stain your underwear and clothes, so you may not want to wear those clothes again – throw them straight into the laundry basket and choose new, fresh clothes to wear.
It is also recommended to throw the sheets in the wash.
- Notice any changes or discomfort
Your body should return to normal soon after intercourse.
Record any changes in hits, sentiments, hits, etc. and keep track of them.
If these physical changes or discomfort worsen or do not resolve within a reasonable time, I
Pay attention to your partner’s health and symptoms such as lumps, pain, sores, or abnormal discharge around the genital area.
As scary as it is, it’s always a good idea to get tested for STDs just to be sure.
The test itself is painless, but, of course, the fear of a positive result is more frightening.
That’s why your sexual partner should be reliable and faithful, not putting you at risk of unwanted STDs, but on the contrary.
