Safe Sex 101: 5 Ways To Protect Your Vagina & Intimate Area From Irritation & Infections

Picture this: You’ve had the most steamy sesh with bae. The two of you  feel closer than ever. Cute cuddles and sweet talks follow and you just can’t seem to get enough of each other. But soon, something plays spoilsport in your post-coital glory. You feel itchy and uncomfortable between your legs. 

Sounds familiar?  You’re not alone. 

The aftermath of sex can be quite irksome sometimes, and cause itchiness and irritation in the vagina and the intimate area. Don’t take it lightly, though! It can be indicative of a more serious condition brewing down there. From a vaginal infection to an allergy or irritated genital skin, sex can give you as much pain as pleasure. 

Don’t fret just yet, coz we’ve here to help you. We got in touch with Dr. Shivani Chandan L, Consultant , Obstetrics & Gynecology, Aster RV Hospital, Bengaluru to shed light on the matter. We found all the reasons behind the post-sex disturbance in your southern heaven, and how to deal with it. Read on to find out:

Why Do You Feel Itchy & Uncomfortable After Sex?

In the ideal world, you should be able to sleep peacefully in your partner’s arms right after having sex. But a host of reasons can ruin this dream and cause itchiness and irritation instead. Here’s why:

Reaction To Penetrative Sex

Regardless of how much you love and adore them, your sex toys, partner’s fingers, or his phallus are considered “foreign objects” for you vajayjay. Unfortunately, they can create havoc in its natural flora. “A healthy vagina naturally contains bacteria and yeast cells. Introducing a foreign body (especially if it’s contaminated) into it can lead to overgrowth of these cells. This can cause itching, vaginal burning, swelling, and cottage-cheese-like white discharge,” explains Dr. Shivani. 

Bae’s Too Hot To Handle

Who doesn’t love hot, steamy sex? But sometimes that steaminess can make you sweat excessively and that my friend, can backfire. “The intimate area has special types of sweat glands called the apocrine glands. They are more sensitive than the sweat pores on the other parts of your body. This can make your intimate area perspire more during sex. The trapped moisture along with vaginal discharge stuck on your genital skin can cause itchiness in the nether regions,” says Dr. Shivani. 

But the danger doesn’t end here. “The bacteria from the sweat can pass into the vagina from your genital skin. This can cause bacterial vaginosis, a painful condition in which the vagina gets inflamed,” she warns.

Friction’s The Culprit

“Excessive friction during penetrative sex can also irritate your sensitive genital skin. It can even cause cuts and abrasions in the vaginal canal,” says Dr. Shivani. This can lead to transmission of deadly STDs like AIDS. It can even give room to the bacteria to enter into your bloodstream. If this bacteria releases toxins in the blood, it can cause instant death due to the toxic shock syndrome. 

How Can You Prevent Post-Sex Itchiness & Infections?

Not being cautious before and after sex can spell doom for your vaginal health and intimate area. However, taking these pre-sex precautions can help avoid this scenario altogether:

Clean Up Before Sex

If it’s a planned date, you must not ignore cleaning up before the act. 

“Both the partners should thoroughly wash their hands and their intimate area before sex. As for sex toys, one must keep them sanitised and clean them again before using them,” suggests Dr Shivani. 

Use A Condom

A condom creates a physical barrier and can keep both–sperms and germs–from entering your vagina.  “If you’re not planning a baby, you must always use a condom. It can prevent spread of bacteria, fungus, and sexually transmitted infections,” says Dr Shivani. 

Use A Lube

Using lube is like killing three, not two birds with a stone. It can reduce friction during intercourse, make sex more pleasurable, and add room for experimentation (IYKYK). So slather on Sirona’s Moisturising Lube Tube on your vaginal or anal opening and make the most of your steamy sesh with minimum risk. Made with natural ingredients like Tasmanian Pepper fruit and riberry fruit, it relieves vaginal dryness without disturbing the natural pH down there. 

Don’t Forget To Clean Up After Sex

Peeing after sex can help you get rid of the bacteria that might have entered the vagina during sex. But there’s something more you need to do. “Wash your intimate area with a mild, fragrance-free soap and water to get rid of bacteria and germ buildup,” suggests Dr. Shivani.

You can count on Sirona’s Refreshing Intimate Wash to do the job for you. Made with natural ingredients like olive, tea tree, and jojoba oil, it is super gentle on your genital skin. It can clean the area without rendering it dry and relieve itchiness and irritation. 

If you don’t have access to a washroom, you can keep Sirona’s Intimate Wipes handy. They come in an easy-to-carry pack and can clean up your intimate area gently. But remember the front-to-back rule while using them. Always wipe your vaginal area first and then move on to your anal area to avoid introducing bacteria from the anus into the vagina.

Eat Right

One of the most important factors to keep in mind when thinking about intimate and vaginal health hygiene is the diet. “Consume foods rich in vit C and D like bananas. Oranges, berries and bananas can help you load up on these nutrients. Also, focus on foods with probiotics like Lactobacillus that boost vaginal health. Yogurts are the best source and you must include them in your diet,” says Dr. Shivani.

Peeps, practicing safe sex is more than avoiding pregnancy and STIs. You’ve got to take measures to protect your intimate and vaginal health too. Keep these pointers in mind and you’ll be fine. 

Featured Image: Unsplash