7 Sexual Hygiene Tips for Better, Dirtier Sex | Sex Toys

In honor of the annual World Sexual Health Day (September 4), the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) is designating the entire month of September as Sexual Health Month Every year. While there are many factors that go into maintaining sexual health (the goddess knows that a harmonious body, heart, and mind all contribute to a positive sex experience), sexual hygiene itself doesn’t get discussed as often as it should. And why not? It plays a huge role in sexual health. If you’ve ever had sex with someone who ate Cheetos before and didn’t wash their hands, you know what I’m talking about.

Sex can be messy, and that’s okay. But while everyone has their own opinions about sexual hygiene, there are some basic principles that should apply to everyone. Definitions of sexual hygiene span many different areas that include what we do before, during, and after sex. Let’s face it: a little extra care and attention can go a long way in helping your partner feel pleasure and even orgasm, and it’ll be better for you, too. And if you need to have a conversation with your partner about hygiene, we hope this article helps you do just that.

With that in mind, I offer you 7 tips to keep your sex life hygienic and healthy, no matter how low and dirty it may be!

1. Cultivate strong communication

Good communication between sexual partners is a vital part of sexual hygiene. While it may seem awkward at first, talking about STIs and sexual health issues early on can make a big difference as you progress with a given partner. Ideally, use protection (i.e. condoms!!!) until you can both get tested and clarify your level of exclusivity. Even if you’re not at the point of having such discussions, using proper protection is a step in the right direction. You can even go further and check each other for signs of infection or other irregularities (this can be an erotic act, believe it or not). Strong and honest communication with a doctor is also important, so get routine checkups and be open and honest about your sexual history and concerns when you do.

2. Take a shower before and after sex

If circumstances allow you to shower before sex, do so. Better yet, shower with your partner to further enhance the level of intimacy. And know this: Almost everyone has some lower body odor, it’s normal and usually can’t be eliminated. But if you shower once a day and after activities that make you sweat, you should be fine. Unscented soap and water are all you need, though soap is a questionable choice for the vulva and vagina, since the vagina cleans itself naturally and harsh or scented products can disrupt your pH. Bonus tip: Bring your toothbrush into the shower with you. If you can’t shower before sex, use hygienic wipes Cleaning before sex isn’t a bad idea, but you should always clean from front to back to avoid transferring harmful bacteria from your rectum to your vagina. While cleaning before sex makes for a sexier experience for everyone involved, cleaning afterward is also important to prevent infections. Lube and bacteria from your fingers, mouth, and rectum can increase your risk of developing a yeast or bacterial infection, so it’s best to rinse them all off. Men should follow the same hygiene routines as women and be sure to wash their penises with an unscented soap to avoid transferring unwanted bacteria to your vagina.

3. …or at least wash your hands

Maybe showering isn’t an option, or maybe you’ve showered recently enough that it’s not necessary. Or maybe you’re both caught up in the heat of the moment and a shower is the last thing on your mind. I get it. It’s hard to interrupt these kinds of things. But at least take the time to wash your hands—both of you. Even if you didn’t just chop up some peppers or eat some Cheetos, you’ve probably touched your bacteria-encrusted cell phone, and God knows what else. Just do it—with soap and water—and thank me later when you don’t get a yeast infection from your partner’s fingers. Also, clean under your fingernails and trim them if they’re sharp. If your partner accidentally pokes your vagina with their fingernails, this is a conversation you absolutely need to have.

4. Always pee after sex

If you’re prone to UTIs, you’ve probably heard it before: Always pee right after sex. Why? Because any kind of sexual contact can push bacteria up your urethra and increase your chances of developing an infection. But if you pee right away afterward, you’ll flush everything out and prevent that from happening. Even if you don’t feel the need to pee, sit there at least until you have a trickle of water. Then drink half a liter of water so you can pee again shortly after. Staying well hydrated helps! It’s less important for men to pee after sex because they have a longer urethra, which means bacteria from their penis are less likely to reach their bladder. But it can’t hurt!

5. Avoid cross-contamination like the plague

Many of us watch mainstream porn and think we know a thing or two about real-life sex. That’s a mistake, and cross-contamination is the perfect reason why. While many on-screen porn stars with big, muscular dicks may seem to move seamlessly between a girl’s anus and pussy, chances are they either a) don’t show the part where they stop to wash their dick between takes, or b) are unhygienic and endanger the health of their actresses. Fact: Bacteria from the rectum can easily be transferred to the vagina, so it’s wise to keep them separate to prevent nasty infections from setting in. I’m not just talking about the penis. If anything, be it a penis, fingers, mouth, or toy, has been in your ass, it should be washed with soap and water before it enters your vagina. It’s not the rectum itself, it’s just the focus of different There are more bacteria than just in your vagina, and mixing them can upset your delicate balance, leading to, you guessed it, infection.

6. Pubic hair: You don’t have to bare it

Getting your pubic hair removed or shaved completely may seem normal to you, and you’re right, it’s very common. Many men do it these days, too. However, that wasn’t the case just a few decades ago. But while a trim based on personal preference is pretty harmless, you might want to consider growing out your hair a little if you suffer from chronic yeast or bacterial infections. Why? Because contrary to the belief that pubic hair is unhygienic, it can reduce friction during sex and prevent the transmission of bacteria and other pathogens. Not to mention that it also happens diffuse pheromonesthose magic chemicals that make you attractive to potential partners.

7. Keep your sex toys perfectly clean

Sex toys of all kinds can do wonders for your sex life. However, it is important to take care of them properly if you don’t want to end up with an infection. Don’t share your toys, avoid using an anal toy for your vagina, wash them thoroughly and with the appropriate products, and store them in a protective bag or case. Whether you use a sex toy with a partner or alone, it is essential to clean it before and after each use.

Bottom line: Whether you’re in a committed relationship or going all-in on a nightly basis (it’s up to you), it’s important to be aware of the types of hygiene mistakes you or your partner(s) might be making when it comes to sex. The next step, of course, is to not be afraid to talk about them. After all, the more proactive you are with your sexual health, the better you’ll feel and the better the sex will be. Trust me: My man respects me immensely if I have to remind him to wash his hands. And the sex is fantastic.

<3 Clean and filthy sex for you all.