Whether or not you’re dwelling your greatest 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 a very good factor?
We requested two OB-GYNs to see if having an excessive amount of intercourse might spell dangerous information in your vagina. Plus: ideas and methods you’ll wish to undertake to keep up a wholesome vaginal atmosphere, maintain UTIs at bay, and extra.
Dangers of Frequent Intercourse for Vaginal Well being
If you happen to and your companion(s) have an energetic 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 practising in Davis and Beverly Hills, California. “It will probably additionally enhance the danger 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 Ladies and Infants, notes that correct hygiene (each out and in of the bed room) is essential to attenuate your danger of growing 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 could enhance the danger of an infection,” she warns.
Each OB-GYNs add that frequent intercourse could result in or exacerbate again ache, which can range primarily based on components like earlier accidents and bodily health ranges. Pelvic ground dysfunction can even contribute to discomfort throughout and after intercourse, which underscores the significance of strengthening your pelvic ground.
After all, it’s essential to follow secure intercourse, particularly when you and/or your companion aren’t monogamous. “If there’s a brand new companion and no safety is used, it could enhance 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 individual to the following, in addition to the way it suits 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 line with Dr. Reed, you’ll know the reply by listening to your physique. “If you happen to’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 unfavourable bodily or emotional unwanted effects.”
Per Dr. Greves, you’ll additionally wish to maintain an eye fixed out for elevated vaginal discharge and another adjustments in your physique. “Ask your self why,” she advises, “and if it’s rawness from intercourse, contemplate seeing if lubrication might help.” If one thing feels or smells off, give Dr. Google a break and you’ll want to seek the advice of your OB-GYN.
Once more, there’s nothing inherently mistaken or harmful with having plenty of intercourse (by your requirements), as long as you keep secure and don’t expertise discomfort. It’s additionally potential to expertise undesired unwanted effects even with rare sexual exercise, so it’s extra vital to float 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 will have intercourse, you’ll want to heed the next tricks to maintain your vaginal atmosphere and urinary tract wholesome (all of the whereas retaining pleasure plentiful).
1. Use Lubrication As Wanted
When essential, don’t draw back from utilizing lube. “If dryness is a matter, a very good lube can stop tears and discomfort,” says Dr. Reed. Hold it stocked below your mattress or in your bedside desk for straightforward entry.
2. Put Hygiene First
Protected intercourse is clear intercourse—not less than within the context of retaining issues hygienic. Dr. Greves advises guaranteeing that you simply and your companion are clear earlier than initiating intercourse (i.e., comparatively recent and never *ripe* after an extended day or sweaty exercise) and cleansing your intercourse toys after every use.
3. Pee After Having Intercourse
Urinating after intercourse helps flush out micro organism and lowers the danger of UTIs, says Dr. Reed.
4. Bathe After Having Intercourse
In line with Dr. Greves, a post-sex pee-and-shower combo can promote vaginal and urinary tract well being. She advises choosing gentle 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 vital for numerous facets of well being and well-being—together with supporting your vaginal and urinary well being.
Revealed in JAMA Inner Drugs in 2018, a randomized managed trial of premenopausal girls affected by recurrent UTIs discovered that growing 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 retaining your good micro organism intact.)
6. Think about Taking a Probiotic for Vaginal Well being
Irrespective of when you’re susceptible to UTIs or vaginal discomfort, or just wish to keep away from both from taking place, chances are you’ll wish to contemplate taking a 2-in-1 probiotic to help vaginal and urinary tract well being. HUM’s Non-public Occasion packs three probiotic strains to assist steadiness the vaginal microbiome plus cranberry PACs to help urinary tract operate.
7. Pay Consideration to Signs
Figuring out your physique and understanding what’s and isn’t regular for you is essential, particularly in relation to sexual well being. “If you happen to discover burning, itching, uncommon discharge, or persistent discomfort, it’s time to name your physician,” says Dr. Reed. “Caring for your self and figuring out what feels regular in your physique is essential to having fun with a wholesome, energetic intercourse life.”
FAQs About Intercourse and Vaginal Well being
Is frequent sexual exercise dangerous for the vagina?
Having plenty of intercourse isn’t inherently dangerous in your vaginal well being. Nevertheless, extra intercourse has the potential to be disadvantageous for some individuals (reminiscent of these with vaginal dryness, frequent UTIs, and sure well being situations) and in some circumstances (particularly when hygiene and secure intercourse practices aren’t prioritized).
Can over-washing or douching hurt vaginal well being?
In line with Dr. Reed, these practices can do extra hurt than good. “The vagina is self-cleaning. Consider it as a little bit ecosystem that thrives on steadiness,” he explains. “Once you overdo it with washing or introduce harsh merchandise like douches, you danger 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 mild, 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 method 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 look like they’re serving to, however they usually strip away the nice micro organism your vagina wants to remain wholesome,” he explains. “This may result in dryness, irritation, and the next danger of infections.”
His closing phrase to the clever on this entrance: “Save the flamboyant merchandise in 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 bit goes a good 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 snug and reduces friction, go for it.”
With that in thoughts, he says one of the best sorts of lube are water- or silicone-based, free from parabens and added fragrances. “And when you’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 got some concrete data on vaginal care in relation to intercourse, you possibly can go ahead higher ready as you will have some intimate enjoyable–whether or not alone or with a companion. Questions? Ship us a DM on Instagram or TikTok!
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