7 Things to Do After Sex to Keep Your Vagina Happy
1. Pee after sex if you’re prone to UTIs
Women who suffer from regular UTIs should use the bathroom after sex, recommends Dr Alyssa Dweck, a gynae from Westchester, NY, and author of The Complete A to Z for Your V. “When you have intercourse, bacteria from the rectum – which is in very close proximity to the urethra and the vagina – can get close to the urethra and can cause an infection, especially in women who are prone to UTIs,” says Dr Dweck. “The urine washes out the bacteria that are mechanically present at the end of the urethra.”
2. Pop a cranberry supplement
Here’s another one for women who tend to come down with a UTI after every sex session. A once-a-day cranberry concentrate, in the form of a cranberry pill or a gummy available over the counter, may help prevent UTIs, says Dr Dweck. But she warns against downing sugary cranberry cocktail juices.
3. Wipe down
If lube, saliva, you name it, has you feeling less-than-fresh down there after sex, consider doing a quick wipe down. “Lube and bacteria from the fingers, mouth, and rectum can increase your chance of developing a yeast or bacterial infection,” says Dr Sherry Ross, gynae and women’s health expert in Santa Monica, California.
She recommends using a non-fragrant soap around your lady parts after sex. Simply take a warm washcloth and gently dab your vagina with soap and water (or just warm water), moving from front to back. Skip your interiors, though: The vagina has its own internal wash cycle that keeps it clean and balanced, she adds. In other words, no douches allowed.
4. Soak in the bathtub
Feel like the pampered sex queen you are by treating yourself to a nice, post-sex soak. Pro tip: Consider adding extra-virgin coconut oil to the warm bath to help hydrate the skin of the outer vagina and sooth any vaginal swelling or irritation that occurs after doing the deed, says Dr Ross. While it’s not a hygiene must, this pleasant ritual may help reduce your risk of infection, she says.
But don’t go overboard on the bath oils, flowery bubble potions and scented balms, says Dr Mary Jane Minkin, clinical professor in the department of obstetrics, gynaecology and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine. Too much can be irritating to the vagina. Dr Minkin says she always see an uptick in irritation related to bath products after the holiday season when patients are using gifts they received.
5. Go commando
Once you’re so fresh and so clean, ward off UTIs and other infections by wearing cotton underwear and loose-fitting PJs to keep your privates dry – or better yet, go commando for optimum air circulation. At the very least, avoid nylon underwear and tight-fitting sleepwear, which can trap moisture and help bacteria grow, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
6. Sip some water
If you just got super sweaty between the sheets you may want to consider sipping some water, says Dr Nicole Scott, gynae at Indiana University Health. Dehydration affects your entire body – including your vagina. (Feeling like sandpaper down there might put a damper on round two.) Plus, staying hydrated can help flush pesky UTI-causing bacteria from your bladder.
7. Eat probiotic-rich foods
Post-sex snacks are the best, so reach for something that will keep you vagina happy while you’re at it. “Yoghurt, kimchi, kombucha and other fermented foods have the same good bacteria that are found in the vagina,” says Dr Kelly Kasper, gynae at Indiana University Health. Getting into the habit of snacking on these foods after sex can help to replenish the body’s good bacteria, helping to decrease your risk of a yeast infection.
About the Author:Dr.Bobban Subhadra
Dr. Subhadra leads the Biom Pharmaceuticals. As CEO of Biom, he brings expertise in growing and scaling businesses, operations, marketing, and innovation and broad brand portfolios. He worked with several early-stage biotech companies to develop and commercialize biomedical products and services. As a researcher, he studied the role of neuroserpin, tissue plasminogen activator, and thyroid hormone in synaptic plasticity and developed Alzheimer’s disease mouse models and has published extensively in prestigious journals including Nature and Science. He has developed and commercialized numerous patented technologies and products for biochemical, biofuel, and pharmaceutical companies. Bobban has earned a Master’s degree from the University of Arkansas and a Doctoral degree in Microbiology and Immunology from the School of Medicine, University of New Mexico , USA.
Also in News
How can I avoid getting vaginitis?
Everyone’s body is different, so the things that lead to vaginitis for some people don’t always cause problems for others. But in general, anything that changes the chemical balance in your vagina can lead to vaginitis.
Allergic reactions or sensitivity to different products, materials, or activities can also cause vaginitis. Here […]
8 Ways to Naturally Restore your Vaginal pH Balance
These are some of the ways you can keep your vaginal pH balanced.
Probiotics: Probiotics are part of the normal flora in the body, including the vagina. When they are out of balance, harmful bacteria or yeast can arise and cause infection.
Garlic: Garlic is known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. […]
New Year – New Goals? Include Taking More Time to Self-care
You deserve to be taken care of. You deserve to have dedicated time for yourself. Self-care helps you establish more self-compassion and self-love, which are essential for a healthy mind!
Add More Positivity to your life by making self-care practices like these the NORM in YOUR LIFE:
- Doing Yoga or Meditating
[…]