Practicing some good post-coital (after sex) hygiene in the long run, will definitely help you to ward off infections and germs that may create bigger health issues.
It might as well be tempting to skip that part and fall straight to sleep, but that one window right after intercourse is when you want to take action in order to ensure that no undesirable bacteria can fester, most especially where you can not reach.
What is true is that there actually exist a few things you can do to clean up, but here you have the most important in the list of things you should do.
PEE, EVEN IF YOU DO NOT FEEL A NEED TO DO SO
Some outside molecules, including the bacteria, are able to enter the urethra, your urinary tube, quite easily during sex, while putting you at risk of contracting a urinary tract infection.
And the best way to flush out those harmful intruders is by peeing, even though you don’t feel a compelling urge to do so.
If it so happens that you for sure have nothing to pee, ingest a glass of water and enjoy a short, but romantic cuddle session, then use the bathroom.
In some of the case, you will definitely need some more time and well, there exist some other things you can tend to first in your cleanup routine.
WASH YOURSELF
Having a full shower will take care of most aspects of your post-coital cleanup checklist.
But, you should avoid using overly hot or overly cold water, as your private parts will still be tender from your intimate activities.
Use some mild soap. There is definitely no need for anything extra perfumed, or even feminine washes, which can in turn actually damage the pH in your vaginal tube.
There exist many products that you will find in pharmacies that are marketed as helping you to keep fresh.
These are some things as for example wipes and sprays that are made with harsh chemicals like detergents, perfumes or lotions that are actually very unsuitable for your skin and can cause a rash or other skin problems and also, you shall definitely avoid pads and tampons that have a scent.
In case you don’t take a full shower, do one gentle rinse with warm water, or at least you can as well use a clean wet towel to wipe every part of your body that might be exposed to bacteria.
GARGLE WITH MOUTHWASH
As well, swish with some mouthwash to eradicate germs and bacteria in your mouth.
Enjoy your foreplay, but also do not forget the cleanup after. Some certain sexually transmitted infections, like chlamydia and gonorrhea which is yuck, also may happen in the mouth as well.
Mouthwash particularly, is most effective in killing bacteria for this purpose.
By brushing, you might as well just end up transferring the germs onto your toothbrush, and obviously, and obviously you do not want that.
Gargle your mouth for about 15-20 seconds, then spit, and then rinse away those icky germs with water.
WASH YOUR TOYS
Even though it is perfectly normal to use toys and lubrication to help with intercourse, these too must be washed as well.
A little bit of soap and some warm water will definitely help to eliminate most of the germs. In case you want to be extra diligent, some silicone toys can as well be boiled to kill off the germs.
For things that are powered with a battery or has some sort of mechanism, first read the manufacturer’s instructions before immersing in water or subjecting it to germ-killing temperatures.
DOUCHING IS DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMENDED
This is the one thing on the list that you should not do in your cleanup routine.
Doing the douching is a misguided and old-fashioned method that is now discouraged, because it has been found that douching can lead to more infections, rather than eliminate them.
Our vagina has its own self-cleansing mechanism, which includes good bacteria that help to keep the pH levels healthy and balanced.
Very rare does the vagina require any additional help in keeping clean so you shall definitely do your part in keeping the outside area of your private region clean, but the vagina will take care of itself.
CHANGE INTO CLEAN CLOTHES AND NEW UNDERWEAR
While being intimate with your partner, you can hardly be expected to be mindful of what is happening to your clothes.
Some body fluids that stain your underwear and clothes will develop bacteria, so those clothes are probably not something you would want to wear again, so therefore toss them right right in your laundry basket and pick some fresh new garments to wear.
What would be actually great is to actually put the bedsheets into the wash as well.
NOTICE ANY CHANGES OR DISCOMFORT
The body should also return to normal quite soon after the intercourse.
Please note any changes, as for example lesions, sensations or bumps, and monitor them.
In case these physical changes, or any other discomfort you feel, become worse and worse or does not go away within reasonable time, it is best to meet a doctor for your symptoms.
So, write down where you initially felt the discomfort, or what you noticed about physical symptoms, such as whether the size changed, the pain intensified, etc.
I strongly recommend writing these down immediately, because you may not remember them later.
DO YOURSELF A TEST
Just in case it happens that you wish for best results, you should definitely know about your partner’s sexual health before jumping into bed with them.
Consult with your boyfriend/girlfriend about this one even if it is an uncomfortable topic to bring up.
In case you still can not be sure about the health of your partner, then pay attention to symptoms like bumps, pain or sores around your genitals, or unusual discharge.
It is always a quite good thing to get an STD (sexually-transmitted disease) test just to be sure, as scary as it might be.
Although not followed by pain, it is the fear in ourselves of getting positive results that is more daunting.
That is the reason why, your sexual partner should be someone trustworthy and loyal, who will not put you at risk of contracting an unwanted STD, and vice versa.
