From our childhood, we are told about the importance of having good hygiene. Adults tell us to wash our hands before meals, take a shower every day, wear clean clothes and brush our teeth. As we grow up, we develop habits that help us maintain this hygiene, until our parents no longer need to remind us to do anything. Hygiene and health then become things that we ourselves want to maintain and improve. But, what we don't realize is that it is sometimes necessary to acquire new habits regarding our hygiene, especially when we become sexually active.
You may be wondering why it is important to maintain good sexual hygiene. Simply put, it's the same reason we're always told to use a condom:
– It helps us reduce our risk of contracting STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases). – This allows us to avoid all kinds of infections.
Of course, good sexual hygiene will also help to avoid other sexual health problems, which confirms its importance in our daily lives. It is also important to note that good hygiene is essential for safe sex and can also make sex more enjoyable for you and your partner. To make it easier for you, here are some tips you can apply to improve your sexual hygiene and even your sex life.
First of all, it is important to wear clean underwear regardless of your gender, it is also advisable to change underwear after sweating, as it can not only become a breeding ground for bacteria, but also clog the pores of your skin. Ventilation is also important for the same reasons, which is why cotton underwear is recommended because it helps keep the area ventilated. In the same vein, it is advisable to dry yourself well after showering, swimming, sweating, etc. to avoid bacterial infections.
What might surprise you is that urine helps get rid of bacteria! This is where the importance of peeing after sex or any physical activity lies. However, there are some things you can do to stay clean that differ depending on your gender.
For men
It's important to wash your penis, especially around the glans, to prevent the formation of smegma, which is a mixture of dead skin cells, body fluids, and bacteria. Although smegma is generally harmless, it can cause irritation, bad odors and even infection if it accumulates in too large a quantity. If you are uncircumcised, cleaning under the foreskin is essential to remove accumulated residue. What you need to do is gently pull it back in the shower, in order to properly clean the area.
Did you know that tight underwear can be harmful to your sexual health? It turns out that tighter-fitting underwear causes overheating and restriction, which can lead to infections. For better hygiene, it is better to switch to boxers.
For women
Women, on the other hand, should make sure to clean the outside well, but not too much, as this can have negative effects on their pH, thus causing infections. Women can also develop smegma if their genital area isn't properly cleaned, which means it's fine to shower but don't over-clean and scent your vagina.
Most women know that the direction in which they should wash is important. They should wash from the vagina to the anus, to prevent bacteria from passing in the opposite direction. On the same note, thongs can make it easier to transfer bacteria, so it's best to use underwear with more coverage, at least once in a while.
No woman likes period…but what you probably don't know is that menstruation cleans the urethra, uterus and vagina, reducing the risk of infection. Either way, it's a good idea to change tampons or pads every 3 to 6 hours, depending on how fast your period is. This will help prevent bad odors and won't allow bacteria to grow, leaving your vagina healthy.