Sex is important, but something much more important is sexual hygiene. It simply refers to how we take care of our body, especially our private parts. If you have poor sex hygiene, it will definitely affect your sex life. It can lead to body infection as well as other dangerous and irritable side effects. This article discusses various ways by which both men and women can take care of their body for healthy sexual hygiene habits.
Contents
1. WASH UP
Especially for women, the importance of proper and adequate body washing cannot be overemphasized. As an important sexual hygiene practice, women must wash their genitals thoroughly and adequately to prevent it from smelling. It is recommended that you wash from your vagina to your anus, so as to prevent germs transfer as well as yeast infections.
For Men, regular washing of the body is just as important too. Men should ensure they dry their body properly after bathing, sweating or swimming, to avoid jock itch. It is also a great idea to take a bath before having any form of intercourse that involves penile penetration. In the case of uncircumcised men, they should ensure they properly wash the foreskin (preferably with warm water).
It is also advisable to wash the hands and nails before sex and after, as they can aid transfer of germs and bacteria to the genitals.
2. QUALITY COMMUNICATION
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This is extremely important. Having quality communication with your partner is a big part of sexual hygiene, as it will save a lot of troubles in the future. It might be uncomfortable to talk about, but it is something you will be happy you did, considering how much of risk lies ahead.
You need to know the STD status of your partner. Are they STD free? If not, what sort of infections do they have? How can it be managed? In a situation where the status of either partner is yet to be ascertained, protected sex is your best option.
3. CHANGE YOUR UNDIES REGULARLY
While most women already know they should change their panties daily, most men feel they do not need to do this, whereas the same rule applies to them too. Men should change their underwear daily. It helps prevent very bad genital smelling (odor), irritations and infections. Especially for men who sweat a lot or who are in jobs that require a lot of physical activity.
In addition, women when on their period are advised to change their sanitary pads/tampons regularly, as it can easily get them infected if left for too long. The body becomes more prone to infection because, during the menstrual cycle, the cervix opens to enable blood flow out from the body.
4. BE MORE OBSERVANT
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It is good practice to check out your private parts often, as there can be certain developments going which you don’t know of yet. Check out for bumps, sores, redness, blisters, and warts. Any change noticed could be an indicator of STDs, cancer, etc. That way you get to notice them on time and tackle them before any real damage is done.
5. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR
Having a good rapport with your doctor might save your life, literally. He/she will be there along the way to provide you with all the health advice and support you need. Ask your doctor if you need an STD test, as well as, other medical checkups if you notice any irregular symptoms.
