What’s the first thing you do after sex? Do you roll over and sleep? Cuddle with your partner? Start making out and do it again? Maybe you light up a cigarette. Or order a pizza. Or maybe you just lie there and throw up. While there’s no exact formula for what you should or shouldn’t do with your time immediately after sex, there are a few post-coital actions that might just improve your sex and/or love life tenfold.
Sexual Health Tips:
1. Pee right away.
Especially if you are prone to urinary tract infections. Even if you don’t feel like urinating right after sex, sit on the toilet and let the water run if possible. Why? When we have sex, bacteria from the rectum, which, as fate would have it, is very close to the urethra and vagina, can infiltrate your vagina. Also close and trigger an infection. By urinating immediately, you flush out any bacteria that might be hanging around the entrance to your urethra. It actually doesn’t hurt to pee before sex either. I used to get UTIs all the time, but pausing to pee before and after kept me free of them for many years. You can also do a cranberry pill daily for added protection. Personally, I have had good luck with You knowAnd CranRich by Natural Factors.
2. Wash yourself.
Sex can be messy, and that’s often part of the fun. But if you’ve got lube, saliva, and cum (yours and/or your partner’s) leaking out of all your holes, there’s nothing wrong with delaying cuddling for a minute to give yourself a quick wipe down. Just like urinating, cleaning up decreases your risk of developing a yeast, urinary, or bacterial infection. You don’t have to jump in the shower right after you’re done, but washing the area around your genitals with warm water (and maybe a mild, unscented soap) can go a long way. No need to wash the insides, though: In case you missed it, your vagina is self-cleaningso whatever you do, skip it harmful showers. Or, if you prefer, kill two birds with one stone by taking a shower together: it’s a great way to prolong intimacy. And cleans really well.
3. Drink a large glass of water.
Since it’s a good idea to pee after sex, don’t forget to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water throughout the day. When you stay hydrated, you’ll pee more, both after sex and in general, which means your body will flush out more bacteria before infections have a chance to take hold. Plus, it’s great for the health of all the systems working in your body. Water is life, baby.
4. Clean those dirty sex toys.
You’ve had fun with that giant dildo that’s attached to the bed frame, that magic wand, or that life-giving cock ring. Once the fun is over, bacteria, viruses, and fungi can linger, allowing your toys to spread STIs or harbor infections. To be on the safe side, practice good sexual hygiene by cleaning each toy after each use. each Usage: Check the packaging or Google your item for proper cleaning instructions. It’s best not to share toys with others as this can spread germs, but if you do share, cover the toy with a new condom each time it’s used.
Tips for prolonged intimacy:
5. Talk about it.
Lying in bed together after a steamy session is a great opportunity to talk about what turned you on. You might say, “I really liked it when you nibbled on my ears,” instead of “I love it when you talk dirty to me,” to encourage your partner to do those things more often, as well as express your appreciation. It can also be a huge turn-on (and educational) to hear your partner’s favorite moments. Talking after sex builds intimacy, trust, and fuels more creative sexual ideas.
6. Hold each other.
Spooning is a go-to cuddling method for many couples, and for good reason: It allows for a lot of skin-to-skin contact, as you’re literally sharing a shape with your lover. I probably don’t need to tell you that post-sex cuddling (and cuddling in general) is an incredible way to strengthen your bond with your partner. While there’s nothing wrong with a quick cuddle before you go back to your day, take the time to lie down and cuddle every now and then. After all, that’s life.
7. Joke around.
Sex can be serious business for some, but many couples bond through humor. Personally, I tend to burst out laughing during and after sex. Why? Why not? Don’t force it, but if you’re already feeling pretty good and it comes naturally, do it. silly after sex. According to a sexual health consultant and educator Celeste Holbrook Ph.D., “A little self-deprecating humor can go a long way in helping your partner feel that you are open and vulnerable,” and I tend to agree.
8. Look each other in the eyes
It can be tempting to stare into space after sex, or even pass out, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, SometimesTake the time to gaze languidly into your partner’s eyes sometimes too, perhaps even touching yourself more. Appreciating the being in front of you with whom you have just shared fiery bliss is important for intimacy and is one of the most effective ways to bond after sex. Eye contact is about being present in the moment with your partner, and being present is so sexy that you might find yourselves entangled in each other again.
9. Eat!
If you’re one of those who tend to get hungry after sex, why not share a snack in bed, if you’re into that sort of thing. For example, you could offer each other refreshing pineapple slices or dark chocolate. Whatever satisfies that hunger. The act of feeding each other is an intimate act. Or, if the mood strikes, you might need to order that pizza.
Bottom line: Sex is a wonderful thing, but what comes after can be just as important. So while it can be difficult, try not to rush it, savor the details, be fully present in each moment of closeness, and practice good sexual hygiene so you can do it again whenever you want.