Sex is a stimulating activity that can leave you both tired and buzzed at the same time. While there is no parallel to how sex makes you feel, the fact is your vagina is what’s bearing the brunt of most of the action. Your vagina and the skin around it is designed for intercourse, but having sex can leave it rubbed and swollen. In this condition, your v-zone reacts differently to the environment. So, here’s a breakdown of the 5 things you should avoid doing after sex.
1. Using Soap To Clean Up
You might consider washing your vagina with soap after having sex to be a good idea, but it may not be necessary. The vaginal skin becomes more sensitive after having sex and reacts differently to the harsh chemicals in cleansers. Washing it with soap could lead to dryness and irritation. Being a self-cleaning organ, the vagina has to be treated carefully. A good thumb rule to follow is if you won’t put it in your mouth, don’t put it inside or around your vagina either. If you do feel the need to clean, rinse with some warm water.
2. Sleeping In Sexy Lingerie
Having sex is a sweaty business. It leaves your vagina warm and damp with perspiration, secretions, and semen. Unlike synthetic sportswear that you wear to the gym, lingerie is not made from fabric that wicks away sweat and keeps your skin dry. Sexy lingerie is usually made from nylon, rayon, or polyester which are not very skin-friendly. They trap the moisture making your v-zone the perfect place for bacteria and fungus to grow, which leads to infections. Cotton underwear is your best bet or just sleep nude.
3. Taking A Bubble Bath
It might sound very romantic to end your sexual encounter with a cozy bubble bath with your partner, but science warns otherwise. Sexual stimulation swells your vulva revealing the opening of the vagina. When you sit in a tub of hot water with your partner, there is a greater chance of infection because your vagina is now exposed to the bacteria on his skin and anus. Your skin also has its own microbiome to fight off infections. But excessive cleaning washes off your natural defense reducing your skin’s ability to keep infections at bay.
4. Using Wet Wipes
This is especially applicable to you ladies with highly sensitive skin. If your skin is allergic to scents, alcohol, glycerin, or certain oils, you should refrain from using flushable wet wipes. Most wet wipes contain strong chemicals that can cause irritation to your already sensitive post-sex vaginal skin. If you need to use wet wipes, make sure they are mild and check fir symptoms like tenderness, redness, inflammation, and itching after use.
5. Not Peeing After Sex
Peeing is a natural way to flush out bacteria from your vagina. Intercourse could leave bacteria inside your vagina which can later cause bladder infections and UTIs. While it might be tempting to snuggle with your partner after having sex, it’s a good practice to empty your bladder within an hour of having sex. After urinating, also make a habit of wiping from the front to back to avoid spreading fecal matter to your V-zone. Swelling and micro-abrasions leave your vagina vulnerable to infections. With a bit of care, your can avoid them with ease.
Photo credit: Curejoy
