Cleaning after sex is very important knowing that adopting good hygiene habits after sex can limit the risk of infection and make a person feel fresher.
It is especially important to clean sex toys to reduce the risk of pathogens on these items. Some other post-sex considerations include cleaning up after anal sex or when trying to conceive.
This article explores some of the best ways to clean up after sex.
How long to wait to clean
It’s wise to wash bedsheets if there are obvious signs of soiling after sex. It is usually not necessary to clean up immediately after intercourse. People can decide to clean up minutes or hours after sexual activity, or they can wait until the morning. However, it is important to clean up at some point afterward.
How long someone waits to clean up can depend on:
• their hygiene preferences
• their risk of infection
• what happens during sexual activity
body hygiene
Maintaining good body hygiene can reduce the risk of unpleasant odors, skin irritations, and infections.
Start by washing your hands with soap and water to stop the transfer of bacteria to other parts of the body. It is then a good idea to clean the genitals. The following sections provide information on best practices.
Vagina care
The vagina cleans itself, but there are some things people can do to maintain a healthy vagina and vulva. The American Sexual Health Association advises people:
• Wash the vulva and the outside of the vagina with a mild, unscented soap before rinsing well and patting dry.
• Avoid douching as this upsets the vagina’s natural bacterial balance. • Clean the vagina and anus from front to back to prevent the transfer of microbes from the anus to the vagina, which can cause an infection.
• Wear cotton underwear (or do not wear it while sleeping) to reduce moisture around the genitals as this increases the risk of infection.
Having sex during your period can sometimes be tricky. To make this experience more comfortable, try the following:
• lay a towel to cover the bed or other surface
• having sex in the shower
• find a comfortable position, for example lying on your side
• use a condom
• remove tampons for sexual activity
• Keep wet wipes or a damp cloth handy for cleaning later
• talk to sexual partners to make sure everyone is happy and in agreement
To maintain a healthy penis, people should:
• Gently wash the penis with water and mild, unscented soap. Those with a foreskin should gently pull it back and clean underneath to remove semen buildup.
• Rinse the area well, dry it and replace the foreskin.
• Wear clean, completely dry underwear (or don’t wear them while you sleep).
Anal sex
The skin of the anus is thin and delicate. Anal sex can cause small skin tears and bleeding that increase the risk of infection and microbial transmission.
For these reasons, it is important to shower after anal sex. Rinse the area with mild soap and warm water to remove bacteria.
People may also want to lay out towels or have anal sex in the shower to minimize the mess.
Oral sex
As with other forms of sexual activity, people should wash their genitals with mild, unscented soap after oral sex. Those who have performed oral sex can also choose to wash their face, mouth, and teeth afterward.
Cleaning of sex toys
Unwashed sex toys can contain bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which can increase the risk of infection. Clean sex toys after each use to prevent infection, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
If cleaning instructions are not provided, gently wash with soap and wipe with a warm, damp cloth. Do not submerge sex toys unless they are completely waterproof. Also, avoid sharing sex toys with others. If people want to share them, they should cover the toy with a new condom before each use. However, even with a condom, it is still necessary to clean the toy between uses.
Also read: How To Be Spiritually Alert Over Sex
Clean the bed
It is advisable to wash bed linen approximately once a week. Washing removes sweat, semen, and other bodily fluids, as well as oil and dirt. It also reduces the risk of allergies and infections.
However, if there is noticeable dirt after intercourse, it is probably best to wash them more often. Always wash the sheets between sexual partners.
Research shows that for infection control, it may be more effective to wash fabrics at 60 ° C (140 ° F) and then tumble dry them.
To reduce the risk of stains and dirt, put towels on the bed before having sex. Also, a mattress cover can prevent body fluids from leaking from the sheets and damaging the mattress.
Trying to get pregnant
People trying to conceive should be very careful avoiding douching because they can:
• make conception more difficult
• increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy
• increase the chance of preterm birth
It may also be helpful to lie down for a few minutes after intercourse to allow the sperm to reach the egg. A 2009 study of 391 couples found that lying down after male ejaculation in the womb increased the chances of conception.
In fact, the researchers found that 27 percent of women who lay down 15 minutes after intercourse became pregnant, compared with 18 percent of those who got up soon after.
Avoid pregnancy
Cleaning the vagina after sex is not a method of preventing pregnancy as it does not remove all semen from the body
Those who do not want to get pregnant should take preventive measures such as contraception. People can discuss their options with a doctor.
To reduce the risk of pregnancy after sex without a condom or another method of prevention, people may consider taking the morning-after pill.
Prevent infection
Delaying cleaning after sex may increase the risk of infection for some people.
To avoid UTIs, which affect 10 out of 25 women and 3 out of 25 men at some point in their lives, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following:
• drink plenty of water (throughout the day and after sex)
• regular urination, including before and after intercourse
• Take a shower instead of bathing
• do not shower
• Use the correct wiping technique (front to back)
Good genital hygiene and wearing loose cotton underwear can help prevent yeast infections. Sexual partners can pass yeast infections to each other, so it’s important to seek tests and treatments and avoid sex until the infection clears up.
To reduce the risk of transmitting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), individuals should:
• Watch out for the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases.
• Get tested regularly for sexually transmitted diseases.
• Use a barrier module.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or using recreational drugs, as these practices can increase the likelihood of risky sexual behavior.
• Use a water-based lubricant with condoms to make sex (especially anal sex) safer.
Cleaning kit
For convenience, it may be useful to keep a post-intercourse cleansing kit. The useful elements are:
• clean towels
• Mattress cover
• unscented baby wipes
• a mild, unscented soap
• Clean cotton underwear
• clean washcloths to wipe off sex toys
• Deodorant or body spray
• a glass of water
Other important points are barrier methods, other forms of contraception, and water-based lubricants.
summary
Cleaning up after sex doesn’t have to be a chore. Simple steps – like gently cleaning the genital area, drinking water, then urinating – can significantly reduce the risk of infection and help people feel fresh.
To stay healthy, people should wash their genitals thoroughly and clean sex toys after anal sex. Anyone who thinks they have an infection should see their doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
