What Is Sexual Health: Personal Hygiene
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Tags
Address Any Sensitivities!
One of the main complaints I often hear is about reactions to lubricants and condoms during use. Which is why I highly recommend finding out the lubricants and condoms that are safe for your body – unfortunately, not all lubes are created equally and this is especially apparent for people with sensitivities!
The two main suspects when it comes to reactions are: Glycerol – these are the sugars that promote bacterial growth in the vaginal cavity. And, Menthol – because well, it can burn!
Make sure to always check your lubricants for sugar before using them vaginally and be wary of flavoured lubricants!
Regular STI Testing and Knowing Your Status
An STI, also known as sexually transmitted infections, refers to an infection that can be transferred or contracted through vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
There are a lot of different sexually transmitted infections, however the most common STIs include:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- Syphilis
- Genital herpes
- Hepatitis B
- HIV
These infections are caused by a type of bacteria or virus, much like other infections. If they are not treated, STIs can evolve, damage, or spread to other parts of the body. For example, leaving infections like chlamydia and gonorrhoea untreated could cause infertility or other reproductive issues. Obviously, they’re serious business.
If you have unprotected sex, you may be at risk of an STI.
- Condoms are the only effective STI preventative
- Contraception pills and implants do not prevent catching an STI
STI’s carry a lot of stigmatisation and often judgement, however it is important to remember that contracting an STI is not a representation of your worth or sexuality. There are a variety of services to support those out there with STI’s.
For more STI-related support, please check out: www.stigmahealth.com.au,
If you are sexually active, it’s a good idea to be tested regularly (every 6 to 12 months) even if you don’t have any symptoms of an STI. You may also want to consider an STI test:
- if your partner has recently had an STI
- if you have a new partner
- if you have frequent changes in sexual partners
There are different types of STI tests. The type you should have will depend on your individual situation. Your doctor may ask you some questions to assess your circumstances and decide which test you need.
In some cases, you may just be asked to provide a urine sample for testing. In other cases, blood tests or throat swabs, anal swabs or vaginal swabs may be needed. You can usually carry out anal or vaginal swabs yourself or a doctor or nurse can do it for you.
For information regarding testing:
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/sex-health/services/find-service
Avoiding Sexual Infections
Our Top Tips:
- Pee after sex!
- Vagina's are self-cleaning – you may use washes for the vulva area but use caution!
- Vaginal to anal is okay, but anal to vaginal is not okay! Make sure to either change your condoms, or thoroughly wash your penis/toy beforehand with a mild soap/toy cleaner.
- Make sure that your toys are cleaned beforehand.
To further minimize the chances of getting UTIs as well as yeast infections (because it’s more than just peeing after sex), Sexual Health Expert, Dr Leah Millheiser (a highly referenced expert in her field) recommends the following:
- If prone to frequent UTIs after sexual play, clean the vaginal and anal area with water before sex to eliminate as much bacteria as possible.
- Change to a dry and breathable pair of underwear throughout the day, especially if experiencing heavier vaginal discharge than average.
- Don't sit around in wet clothing such as workout clothes or bathing suits.
- If you are still experiencing frequent UTIs after sexual play, contact a medical provider to discuss medication management or supplements that might be useful for you.
Final Thoughts
Good sexual hygiene keeps you healthy and prevents infections from spreading. An elaborate post-sex clean-up routine is not needed when simple practices, like what you’ve seen, are already sufficient. As long as you keep your bodies, and sex toys, clean at all times, you'll be in good shape to keep on bonking!
If you have anymore questions or are looking for advice please contact the team on our FREE-CALL line 1800 666 069.