Sex is meant to be pleasant and fun and above all good. But health sex is way better than simply good sex. Sex makes us vulnerable to contracting infections, which can be avoided by the small practices that we often ignore. Sex is advisable, as its good for our physical and mental well-being; lowering stress, anxiety levels and improving the heart function. To make the intimacy memorable and worth it, there are things we should do to keep healthy and prevent contracting STDs.
1. Urinate
Chances of getting an infection during sex are high, as bacteria and toxins can get into your urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body). Urinating after sex can help flush out any bacteria that might have entered the urethra. It’s advisable to pee within 30 minutes, as bacteria has tiny pilli that act as Velcro hooks, that allow them to attach themselves to the urethral lining, and urine helps dispel them thus preventing UTIs prone more so in women.
2. Hydrate
Water in needed by your body to keep your energy levels up, as sexual simulation can deplete strength. It’s advisable to drink at least 8 ounces of water after sex. For men, sufficient water helps maintain adequate flow of blood and oxygen supply to the penis. For women, water helps eradicate that sandpaper feeling at the vagina. Remaining hydrated, means you will pee more, thus this will help flush pesky UTI-causing bacteria from urinary tracts before infections can flare up.
3. Clean up your vagina
Gently cleaning up after sex using a clean washcloth, gentle unscented (non-fragrant) soap and warm water, can go an extra mile in preventing infections. Wash the area around (not inside) your genitals with warm water and mild soaps, but if you have an infection or sensitive skin, they might dry out or irritate the area. Lube and bacteria from the fingers, mouth, and rectum can increase your chance of developing a yeast or bacterial infection.
Simply take a warm washcloth and gently dab the area with mild fragrance-free soap and water moving from front to back. Don’t clean inside the vagina. Avoid using scented tampons, pads, powders, sprays, harsh soaps, detergents, shampoos, perfumes, lotions, solution of vinegar, douching syringe, fragrant soaps and strong vaginal washes to clean up, as they can make your skin break out, vaginal itching, swelling, pain and even lead to more infections.
4. Don’t Douche
Some women may think that cleaning inside the vagina after sex with water and pre-packaged fluids, will help prevent infections. This can lead to more infections. This may affect the good bacteria that protects the vagina. So, just clean the outside, as the vagina has internal wash cycle that keeps it clean and balanced.
5. Wash up your penis
Men are often very careless when it comes to maintaining penis hygiene, thus exposing themselves to infections, inflammations, phimosis (congenital narrowing of the opening of the foreskin so that it cannot be retracted) and even tumours. Uncircumcised men are cautioned to be keen, because they are the most affected. Men with foreskin should gently pull it back and wash underneath. vaginal itching, swelling and painful.
6. Wear loose-fitting clothing
After sex, it’s advisable to allow genitals to breathe. Sweaty and warm places are perfect spots for bacteria and yeast to thrive. Consider wearing cotton clothes, as cotton being a natural fiber, is hypoallergenic, highly absorbent and won’t irritate the most sensitive regions which are prone to heightened sensitivity and moisture after sex. This goes for both men and women, and it helps allow for optimum air circulation, for your private parts to dry. Avoid nylon underwear, tight-fitting sleepwear, pantyhose, girdles and panties that are too tight, which can trap moisture and help bacteria grow.
7. Get tested
If you’re sexually active, you’ve been with a new partner or you did not use a condom, it’s good to get tested for STIs and HIV. Often, these infections don’t show symptoms until at a later stage, so getting tested is the only way to be sure. With time watch out for symptoms like; sores, spots, blisters, pain, discharge or lumps around your genitals. It’s important to seek medical treatment if you discover that you have the infections to avoid getting worse.
8. Eat
During sex the body burns a lot of calories and gets your heart rate up. It’s important to eat something, most advisably probiotic-rich foods, so as to help replenish the body’s good bacteria. This will go a long way in decreasing the risk of a yeast infection. Eating chia seeds is the best way to boost energy and rebuild stamina. Also, you can eat sesame seeds or pumpkin seeds. Eating bananas will prevent muscle spasms or cramps after sex. Bananas contain the enzyme bromelain, which boosts a man’s libido. Bananas are also rich in B vitamins, such as riboflavin, which are essential for the manufacturing of sex hormone, testosterone.
9. Check for signs of bleeding or pain
As you know your body best, be on the lookout for any pain or bleeding or post coitus trauma to your vagina. Abnormal bleeding after sex, can be a sign of infection or a lesion of your reproductive tract. Pain or bleeding can be indicative of friction due to the condom. Seek medical advice immediately.
10. Take note of yeast infections
During sexual intercourse, yeast infections can be transmitted from one partner to another. So, after sex and as days pass by, take note of symptoms like; burning, itching, thick or white discharge from the penis or vagina. Ensure you seek medical attention before the situation worsens.
11. Look at the condom
Using protection is a very wise decision, it’s even wise to check it after sex. If the condom broke, then the probability of contracting STDs and/or pregnancy is high. In some cases, the condom might get stuck in the vagina leading to bacterial infections. If that is the case consider seeking medical advice.
12. Clean your sex toys
If you’re the kind of person who uses sex toys, its important to note that bacteria, viruses and fungi can hang around them after use. Ensure read the packaging and cleaning instructions, and clean each one of them after use. Sex toys can be an avenue through which STDs and other infections can spread. Avoid sharing sex toys at all cost, but if you have to, then take precautionary measures like covering them with a new condom each time you use it.
13. Ingest cranberry
Ingesting cranberry supplement/juice/concentrate/pill/gummy can help reduce the chances of contracting UTI infections. It has been proven that cranberry juice helps to fight against bacteria. Cranberry does not get broken by the digestive system, so it can reach the urinary tract and prevent any bacteria from remaining on the wall of the bladder. Avoid downing sugary cranberry cocktail juices.
14. Take a shower
Showering after sex is recommended to wash away the body fluids that get exchanged during sex. To some extent, this can help reduce the risk of STDs. Avoid showering with soap, since the genital area is swollen after sex and thus super sensitive to soap. The chemicals used in making soaps can cause severe irritation. It’s highly advisable to take a cold shower instead of hot one. For women, the vulva swells due to sexual stimulation which in hot showers can lead to the opening of the vagina, increasing the chances of getting an infection. In addition, hot showers are known to cause infertility in men, by reducing the sperm count.
15. Take a nap
Sleeping helps relax the body, maintain a stable and relatively constant internal body environment. Most men will do it anyway because of vasopressin, a hormone directly released in the brain, which tightens the blood vessels and plays an important role in homeostasis of the body.
