A healthy sexual relationship feels great and brings you closer to your partner. Regular intimacy is also beneficial to your mental and physical health. Making love can improve your heart function, reduce stress and anxiety, alleviate aches and so much more. Unfortunately, some seemingly innocent habits before and after sex can lead to issues, ruining your healthy fun. Here are a few considerations you may want to make before and after sex.

Things You Should Avoid Before Sex

1. Avoid Spicy Food

If you intend to have sex, reduce the amount of hot sauce you use. Spicy foods, such as curry and peppers, can cause acid reflux symptoms such as heartburn and a burning sensation in the throat, making it difficult to relax. Rich, heavy foods high in fat like fried chicken, citrus fruits, carbonated drinks and caffeinated beverages can all cause heartburn because they are more difficult for your body to digest. So, take it easy on your stomach. Bananas, oatmeal, apples and graham crackers are less likely to cause heartburn.

2. Avoid Drinking Too Much

While a beer or two may get you in the mood, men should avoid drinking too much before sex. Alcohol is a known risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED), a condition that makes it difficult to obtain or maintain a strong enough erection to perform the deed. Though a few alcohol-related incidents do not necessarily indicate that you have ED, frequent heavy boozing can lead to long-term problems.

3. Don’t Shave Right Before

Is shaving your preferred method of grooming your lady parts? No problem, but you should plan ahead of time. Shaving makes the skin around your genitals more fragile, sensitive and prone to irritation from sex friction. Reduce your risk by shaving the day before you’re going to be intimate.

Things You Should Avoid After Having Sex

You’re probably revelling in the postcoital flood of hormones that make you sleepy and relaxed in the moments immediately following sex. Even if you’re tired, there are a few things you should not do right after sex to keep your body as healthy as possible. So let’s take a look at what not to do after sex:

1. You Shouldn’t Forget to Use the Bathroom

It is a good idea to empty your bladder post-sex because the activity is known to aid in the transfer of bacteria from the anal area to the vaginal/urethra. Using the restroom cleans the area and reduces the risk of infection.

An after sex shower is good; however, jumping into a warm bath tub right after sex is not good. As a response to sexual stimulation, the vagina opens a little more. But when you take a warm bath or shower just after that, you become more vulnerable to infections.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

2. Avoid Using Perfumed or Scented Products on Your Genital Area

While scented soaps, gels, washes, lotions and other genital health products are good, they can irritate internal and external skin and should be avoided after sex. Soaps and products with a lot of added fragrances can alter the good and normal bacteria. Washing the genitals with simply normal to lukewarm water is recommended. To avoid irritating the genital area with harsh scents or chemicals, keep your post-sex cleansing routine as simple and gentle as possible.

Cleaning and possibly having a shower before sex, especially if the partner is uncircumcised is important to get rid of urinary tract infection causing bacteria.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

3. You Should Never Douche After Sex

Although douching after sex is frequently marketed as a safe and healthy way to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections, experts advise against it because it alters your normal vaginal flora and increases your risk of UTIs, yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis, a condition caused by vaginal inflammation caused by bacterial overgrowth.

Also Read: How to Get Rid of Hickeys: Research-Backed Remedies and Prevention Tips

4. Avoid Wearing Tight-Fitting Clothing Post Sex

Because there is usually an excess of bodily fluids and friction spreads bacteria, it is a good idea to allow for free drainage and air, because of which tight-fitting nightwear or lingerie should be avoided.

Being present with your partner at the moment increases your intimate connection and is a great way to bond with one another. Scrolling through social media or watching TV limits your chances of enjoying post-coital bliss so that’s not a very wise option. Regular STI testing is also an important part of sexual health, but you shouldn’t wait until after you’ve had sex to communicate openly and honestly with your partner about any concerns you may have.

Also Read: Bleeding During Sex With No Pain: A Comprehensive Guide to Underlying Causes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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