You love sex, but what about your vagina? Not so much. Urinary tract infections, vaginal irritation, it works.
Fortunately, there are some very simple things you can do to keep your vagina and libido equally satisfied after sex.
Try some of these out after your next O.
1. If you’re prone to urinary tract infections, pee after sex
Even if nature doesn’t do it for you after sex, women who regularly suffer from urinary tract infections should go to the bathroom, says Alyssa Dweck, M.D., an obstetrician-gynecologist and author in Westchester, New York. Recommend. Complete A to Z about your V. “Sex can bring bacteria from the rectum, which is very close to the urethra and vagina, into the urethra and cause infections, especially in women who are more prone to urinary tract infections,” Dweck says. Urine mechanically flushes out bacteria present at the end of the urethra. ”
2. Take cranberry supplements
Here’s another way to go if you’re a woman who tends to get a UTI every time you have sex. (So infuriating.) Taking one serving of cranberry concentrate a day, in the form of an over-the-counter cranberry pill or gummy, may help prevent UTIs, says Dweck, though she warns against drinking sugary cranberry cocktail juice.
3. Wipe off
If your vagina doesn’t feel fresh after sex because of lube, saliva, etc., consider giving it a quick wipe. “Lubricant and bacteria on your fingers, mouth, and rectum can lead to yeast and bacterial infections,” says Dr. Sherry Ross, an obstetrician-gynecologist and women’s health expert in Santa Monica, California. will increase,” he says.
She recommends using unscented soap around the feminine area after sex. She takes a warm towel and pats her vagina from front to back with soap and water (or warm water). However, please ignore the internals. She added that the vagina has its own internal cleaning cycle that keeps it clean and balanced. In other words, wet wiping is prohibited.
4. Soak in the bath
Feel yourself like a pampered sex queen with a nice post-sex soak. Pro tip: Consider adding extra-virgin coconut oil to your warm bath to moisturize the outer skin of your vagina and soothe vaginal swelling and irritation that occurs after sex, says Ross. . Although not required for hygiene reasons, this fun ritual may help reduce the risk of infection, she says.
Just be careful not to use too many bath oils, floral bubble potions, or scented balms, says Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., clinical professor in the department of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the Yale University School of Medicine, as too many can irritate the vagina. Minkin says she always sees an increase in bath salts-related irritation after her patients use gifts they received after the holidays.
5. Go commando
Once you’re very fresh and clean, wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting pajamas to keep your private parts dry and prevent urinary tract infections and other infections. Alternatively, you can run Commando for optimal air circulation. At a minimum, avoid nylon underwear and tight-fitting sleepwear, which can trap moisture and encourage bacterial growth, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
6. Drink some water
If you find yourself sweating a lot in bed (you get the idea), you might want to consider drinking some water, says Nicole Scott, M.D., an obstetrician-gynecologist at Indiana University Health. By the way, dehydration affects the entire body, including the vagina. (If your vagina feels like sandpaper, you might think twice about having sex.) Plus, staying hydrated can flush your bladder of nasty bacteria that cause urinary tract infections. Masu.
7. Eat foods rich in probiotics
Post-sex snacks are the best, so grab something to keep your vagina happy during sex. “Yogurt, kimchi, kombucha, and other fermented foods contain the same beneficial bacteria found in your vagina,” says Kelly Kasper, M.D., an obstetrician-gynecologist at Indiana University Health. Getting into the habit of snacking on these foods after sex can replenish your body’s good bacteria and reduce your risk of yeast infections.
After all, you don’t want anything to get in the way of your next hot treat.
Krissy is a regular contributor to Prevention magazine and has also written for Cosmopolitan, Weight Watchers, Women’s Health, FitnessMagazine.com, Self.com, and Shape.com.
