[ad_1]
Whether or not you’re residing your finest single life or paired up, having intercourse is each wholesome and regular. However in relation to intercourse and vaginal well being, is there ever an excessive amount of of factor?
We requested two OB-GYNs to see if having an excessive amount of intercourse might spell unhealthy information on your vagina. Plus: ideas and methods you’ll wish to undertake to take care of a wholesome vaginal atmosphere, preserve UTIs at bay, and extra.
Dangers of Frequent Intercourse for Vaginal Well being
Should you and your accomplice(s) have an lively intercourse life, it’s potential—although not assured—that various kinds of discomfort can come up.
“Frequent intercourse can typically result in points like vaginal tears or discomfort, particularly if there’s not sufficient lubrication,” says Michael Reed, MD, NCMP, a board-certified OB-GYN training in Davis and Beverly Hills, California. “It might additionally improve the chance of urinary tract infections (UTIs) as a result of micro organism can get pushed into the urethra throughout intercourse.”
Christine Greves, MD, an OB-GYN at Orlando Well being Winnie Palmer Hospital for Girls and Infants, notes that correct hygiene (each out and in of the bed room) is essential to attenuate your threat of creating bacterial infections from sexual exercise, whether or not with or with out penetration. “For instance, if the anal space is touched earlier than going to the vaginal space and in flip the urethra, it may well improve the chance of an infection,” she warns.
Each OB-GYNs add that frequent intercourse could result in or exacerbate back pain, which can differ based mostly on components like earlier accidents and bodily health ranges. Pelvic ground dysfunction may also contribute to discomfort throughout and after intercourse, which underscores the significance of strengthening your pelvic floor.
In fact, it’s essential to follow secure intercourse, particularly for those who and/or your accomplice aren’t monogamous. “If there’s a brand new accomplice and no safety is used, it may well improve dangers of STDs,” Greves cautions.
What Counts as “Too A lot” Intercourse?
Now, for the million-dollar query: How a lot intercourse is an excessive amount of?
The reply in the end varies from one particular person to the subsequent, in addition to the way it matches throughout the context of your individual sexual historical past. Maybe you’re having intercourse every day (or a number of instances a day) for the primary time ever, or possibly your bed room exercise is beginning to decide again up after bouncing again from a dry spell.
In keeping with Dr. Reed, you’ll know the reply by listening to your physique. “Should you’re feeling sore, noticing recurring infections, or simply not having fun with it due to discomfort, that is likely to be an indication to take a step again,” he shares. “There’s no magic quantity. It’s about what feels good and sustainable for you with none damaging bodily or emotional negative effects.”
Per Dr. Greves, you’ll additionally wish to preserve a watch out for elevated vaginal discharge and every other adjustments in your physique. “Ask your self why,” she advises, “and if it’s rawness from intercourse, take into account seeing if lubrication may also help.” If one thing feels or smells off, give Dr. Google a break and make sure you seek the advice of your OB-GYN.
Once more, there’s nothing inherently improper or harmful with having loads of intercourse (by your requirements), as long as you keep secure and don’t expertise discomfort. It’s additionally potential to expertise undesired negative effects even with rare sexual exercise, so it’s extra essential to glide of your individual physique and honor your boundaries than to fixate on how a lot intercourse you’re having.
7 Intercourse and Self-Care Suggestions for Vaginal Well being
Irrespective of how usually you have got intercourse, make sure you heed the next tricks to preserve your vaginal atmosphere and urinary tract wholesome (all of the whereas maintaining pleasure plentiful).
1. Use Lubrication As Wanted
When obligatory, don’t shrink back from using lube. “If dryness is a matter, lube can forestall tears and discomfort,” says Dr. Reed. Preserve it stocked beneath your mattress or in your bedside desk for straightforward entry.
2. Put Hygiene First
Protected intercourse is clear intercourse—at the least within the context of maintaining issues hygienic. Dr. Greves advises guaranteeing that you just and your accomplice are clear earlier than initiating intercourse (i.e., comparatively recent and never *ripe* after a protracted day or sweaty exercise) and cleansing your sex toys after every use.
3. Pee After Having Intercourse
Urinating after intercourse helps flush out micro organism and lowers the chance of UTIs, says Dr. Reed.
4. Bathe After Having Intercourse
In keeping with Dr. Greves, a post-sex pee-and-shower combo can promote vaginal and urinary tract well being. She advises choosing delicate cleaning soap (ideally unscented) and gently washing the exterior genital space solely.
5. Keep Hydrated
Minding your every day consumption of H2O and fluids is essential for numerous facets of well being and well-being—together with supporting your vaginal and urinary well being.
Printed in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2018, a randomized managed trial of premenopausal ladies affected by recurrent UTIs discovered that rising water consumption to 2.8 liters a day resulted in a 48 % discount in UTI occasions. (Even higher, the hydration increase led to a discount in antibiotic use to battle off UTIs, thus maintaining your good micro organism intact.)
6. Contemplate Taking a Probiotic for Vaginal Well being
Irrespective of for those who’re vulnerable to UTIs or vaginal discomfort, or just wish to keep away from both from occurring, it’s possible you’ll wish to take into account taking a 2-in-1 probiotic to help vaginal and urinary tract well being. HUM’s Private Party packs three probiotic strains to assist steadiness the vaginal microbiome plus cranberry PACs to help urinary tract perform.
7. Pay Consideration to Signs
Realizing your physique and understanding what’s and isn’t regular for you is essential, particularly in relation to sexual well being. “Should you discover burning, itching, uncommon discharge, or persistent discomfort, it’s time to name your physician,” says Dr. Reed. “Taking good care of your self and understanding what feels regular on your physique is essential to having fun with a wholesome, lively intercourse life.”
FAQs About Intercourse and Vaginal Well being
Is frequent sexual exercise unhealthy for the vagina?
Having loads of intercourse isn’t inherently unhealthy on your vaginal well being. Nevertheless, extra intercourse has the potential to be disadvantageous for some individuals (resembling these with vaginal dryness, frequent UTIs, and sure well being circumstances) and in some circumstances (particularly when hygiene and secure intercourse practices aren’t prioritized).
Can over-washing or douching hurt vaginal well being?
In keeping with Dr. Reed, these practices can do extra hurt than good. “The vagina is self-cleaning. Consider it as somewhat ecosystem that thrives on steadiness,” he explains. “While you overdo it with washing or introduce harsh merchandise like douches, you threat disrupting the pure pH and killing off wholesome micro organism. This may result in irritation, infections, and even recurring points like yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis.”
Higher alternate options to remain recent and wholesome together with utilizing a delicate, unscented cleaning soap externally or just doing a fast rinse with water.
Can extreme use of vaginal hygiene and/or scented merchandise result in infections or irritation?
Once more, Dr. Reed emphasizes {that a} minimalist strategy is good in relation to female hygiene—and utilizing too many merchandise can backfire, large time. He notes that almost all of those merchandise aren’t simply pointless however could even do extra hurt than good.
“Issues like scented washes, wipes, or sprays may seem to be they’re serving to, however they usually strip away the great micro organism your vagina wants to remain wholesome,” he explains. “This may result in dryness, irritation, and the next threat of infections.”
His last phrase to the sensible on this entrance: “Save the flowery merchandise on your skincare routine and let your vagina do its factor.”
How a lot is an excessive amount of in relation to utilizing lubricants or vaginal moisturizers?
“A little bit goes a great distance, however don’t be shy about reapplying throughout intercourse if wanted. There’s no such factor as an excessive amount of lube,” says Dr. Reed. “If it makes you extra comfy and reduces friction, go for it.”
With that in thoughts, he says the perfect sorts of lube are water- or silicone-based, free from parabens and added fragrances. “And for those who’re noticing irritation or discomfort, it’s price switching manufacturers to search out one which works higher for you,” he concludes.
The Takeaway
Now that you’ve some concrete info on vaginal care in relation to intercourse, you’ll be able to go ahead higher ready as you have got some intimate enjoyable–whether or not alone or with a accomplice. Questions? Ship us a DM on Instagram or TikTok!
[ad_2]
Source link
