Post-coital hygiene, or how to take care of your intimate areas

The body structure of people with uteri favors the transfer of bacteria to the vagina or urethra during intercourse, and the temperature and humidity of the vagina are an ideal environment for the development of infection. Therefore, proper hygiene after sex is the best way to stop the development of a potential intimate infection. The vagina requires special care after intercourse, but don't worry! You don't have to jump out of bed after intercourse and run to the bathroom. We have simple rules for you that will not prevent you from experiencing intoxicating moments with your partner.

Read more about vaginal moisture here .

What NOT to do?

Let's start with what you absolutely must avoid. Some people believe that after sex you need to clean the inside of your vagina with water or liquids to avoid health problems. After every intercourse, they rush to the bathroom and clean their vagina with a douche or a stream of water from a shower head. This is very harmful! The vagina is equipped with a natural microbiome and can clean itself - even if there is sperm or lubricant inside. Lactobacilli live in the vagina, i.e. anaerobic bacteria that transform into lactic acid that protects the mucous membrane. This extraordinary acid has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. Interfering with the natural system leads to a lot of unpleasant consequences - from infections, through a greater risk of HIV infection, to the threat of cervical cancer! For the good of our immune system, it is worth not overdoing it - vaginal douche really IS NOT necessary! Also remember that a slight smell is normal and does not mean problems - it does not need to be washed out either.

So how can you properly take care of your intimate hygiene so as not to harm yourself?

Washing

Don't worry - you don't have to jump out of bed and take a bath right away. After intense intercourse, it really can be too much effort :) But washing yourself gently shortly after intercourse significantly reduces the chances of a urinary tract infection. Just remember to wash the area, not the inside of the vagina. You don't have to use any specialist products - just plain warm water, possibly with an intimate hygiene fluid. We also recommend this activity to men!

In post-coital hygiene, we often focus solely on intimate areas. Meanwhile, during sex, our hands also wander in different directions. For this reason, hand washing is also a very important element of intimate hygiene. This is key to stopping the spread of microorganisms, so add hand washing to your routine after each intercourse.

What about popular intimate hygiene products?

Contrary to appearances, special gels or liquids are rarely really healthy for our intimate areas. Be especially careful with fragrances containing harmful dyes, parabens or SLS. Such products can irritate the skin and mucous membranes, causing an allergic reaction or leading to their drying. Be sure to check whether your intimate hygiene liquid does not contain these substances. If so, it is a red flag. For sensitive skin of intimate areas, use only proven, non-irritating cosmetics, preferably with natural ingredients. Of course, we recommend our intimate hygiene liquid - proven, with a good, organic composition, lactic acid, so the right PH. Remember also not to apply even such an organic cosmetic to the inside of the vagina!

The simplest solution - peeing

As you already know, during sex, bacteria can enter the urethra and thus lead to, for example, cystitis. There is a simple way to do this! All you have to do is urinate after intercourse. Here - just like in the case of douching - you don't have to hurry too much, but it is worth doing this within half an hour after sex. Our urine has antiseptic properties, so when you pee - you cleanse your urinary system. Remember one more thing - when wiping yourself, do it from front to back so as not to transfer bacteria from the area of ​​the anus unnecessarily. And don't forget to drink water! A hydrated body makes it easier for you to pee. That's why keep a glass of water by your bed.

Cotton pajamas

Sweaty intimate areas are ideal places for bacteria and yeast to grow. For this reason, especially after intercourse, do not wear tight underwear made of synthetic materials! Instead, wear those made of natural, preferably cotton fabrics that allow air to pass through and absorb moisture. An oversized black Your KAYA t-shirt will work great here ! This is a good rule for any time, not just after intercourse. It is best to skip underwear completely for sleep - loose pajama pants or shorts are the healthiest solution. However, if you have to go back to work or other duties right after intercourse and get fully dressed, and you are afraid that mucus and sperm will flow out of you, use a sanitary pad. Remember that it should be delicate, preferably made of good quality cotton, like Your KAYA pads . Be sure to change it after a maximum of two or three hours!

Be sure to also read our text about sleeping naked: " Is sleeping naked healthy? "

Take care of your gadgets too!

Bacteria, viruses and fungi can linger on the surface of your sex toys long after the pleasurable experience is over. If you don't keep them clean after each use, instead of providing fun, your gadgets can become a source of unpleasant infections and diseases. Clean the toy after each use, according to the manufacturer's instructions. And here's another important note - it's better not to share toys with too many people - this can also be a source of potential germs. It's good practice to use condoms when having fun with toys. However, using a condom does not exempt you from taking care of hygiene! Using condoms, yes, reduces the risk of transmitting bacteria or sexually transmitted diseases, but it does not eliminate it completely! That's why hygiene after intercourse without a condom is not enough! You should take care of it absolutely after every form of sexual play - even masturbation .

Don't delay the test

As part of taking care of your intimate health, it is also worth getting tested regularly - especially if you are sexually active and have new sexual partners. Intimate hygiene after intercourse does not solve all problems. In most cases, genital infections do not cause any symptoms, so they are easy to miss. Do not ignore any signals from your body - carefully observe the discharge, any spots or lumps that may appear around the genitals, and pay attention to itching or burning after intercourse. If anything worries you, be sure to see a doctor! It is worth encouraging your partner to get tested as well and take care of your intimate health together.

Finally, one more tip for those of you who are expecting a baby. As a rule, sex during pregnancy is safe and you can freely enjoy intimacy during this time. However, it is worth remembering that a pregnant person's body is much more susceptible to all kinds of microorganisms, and the risk of infection is much higher, which is why intimate hygiene after intercourse is even more important. After each sex, urinate, wash your perineum (also before!) and drink water. Encourage your partner to do the same!