Whether or not you’re dwelling your finest single life or paired up, having intercourse is each wholesome and regular. However relating 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 unhealthy information on your vagina. Plus: suggestions and methods you’ll need to undertake to keep up a wholesome vaginal setting, maintain UTIs at bay, and extra.
Dangers of Frequent Intercourse for Vaginal Well being
In the event you and your companion(s) have an energetic intercourse life, it’s doable—although not assured—that various kinds of discomfort can come up.
“Frequent intercourse can generally 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 may possibly 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 Girls and Infants, notes that correct hygiene (each out and in of the bed room) is essential to attenuate your danger 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 will possibly enhance the danger of an infection,” she warns.
Each OB-GYNs add that frequent intercourse might result in or exacerbate again ache, which can range based mostly on elements 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 ground.
In fact, it’s essential to apply protected intercourse, particularly if you happen to and/or your companion aren’t monogamous. “If there’s a brand new companion and no safety is used, it will possibly 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 subsequent, in addition to the way it matches throughout the context of your personal sexual historical past. Maybe you’re having intercourse day by day (or a number of occasions 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 accordance with Dr. Reed, you’ll know the reply by listening to your physique. “In the event you’re feeling sore, noticing recurring infections, or simply not having fun with it due to discomfort, that is perhaps 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 adverse bodily or emotional unintended effects.”
Per Dr. Greves, you’ll additionally need to maintain a watch out for elevated vaginal discharge and some other modifications in your physique. “Ask your self why,” she advises, “and if it’s rawness from intercourse, think about seeing if lubrication might 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 incorrect or harmful with having a whole lot of intercourse (by your requirements), as long as you keep protected and don’t expertise discomfort. It’s additionally doable to expertise undesired unintended effects even with rare sexual exercise, so it’s extra vital to flow of your personal 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
Regardless of how typically you’ve got intercourse, make sure you heed the next tricks to maintain your vaginal setting and urinary tract wholesome (all of the whereas protecting pleasure plentiful).
1. Use Lubrication As Wanted
When mandatory, 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 beneath your mattress or in your bedside desk for simple entry.
2. Put Hygiene First
Protected intercourse is clear intercourse—at the least within the context of protecting issues hygienic. Dr. Greves advises guaranteeing that you just and your companion are clear earlier than initiating intercourse (i.e., comparatively contemporary 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 accordance 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 day by 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.
Printed in JAMA Inner Drugs in 2018, a randomized managed trial of premenopausal ladies affected by recurrent UTIs discovered that growing water consumption to 2.8 liters a day resulted in a 48 p.c discount in UTI occasions. (Even higher, the hydration enhance led to a discount in antibiotic use to struggle off UTIs, thus protecting your good micro organism intact.)
6. Contemplate Taking a Probiotic for Vaginal Well being
Regardless of if you happen to’re liable to UTIs or vaginal discomfort, or just need to keep away from both from taking place, it’s possible you’ll need to think about taking a 2-in-1 probiotic to help vaginal and urinary tract well being. HUM’s Personal Occasion packs three probiotic strains to assist stability the vaginal microbiome plus cranberry PACs to help urinary tract operate.
7. Pay Consideration to Signs
Understanding your physique and understanding what’s and isn’t regular for you is essential, particularly relating to sexual well being. “In the event 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 realizing what feels regular on your physique is essential to having fun with a wholesome, energetic intercourse life.”
FAQs About Intercourse and Vaginal Well being
Is frequent sexual exercise unhealthy for the vagina?
Having a whole lot of intercourse isn’t inherently unhealthy on your vaginal well being. Nevertheless, extra intercourse has the potential to be disadvantageous for some individuals (comparable to these with vaginal dryness, frequent UTIs, and sure well being situations) and in some circumstances (specifically when hygiene and protected intercourse practices aren’t prioritized).
Can over-washing or douching hurt vaginal well being?
In accordance with Dr. Reed, these practices can do extra hurt than good. “The vagina is self-cleaning. Consider it as a bit ecosystem that thrives on stability,” he explains. “Whenever 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 contemporary 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 method is good relating to female hygiene—and utilizing too many merchandise can backfire, huge time. He notes that almost all of those merchandise aren’t simply pointless however might even do extra hurt than good.
“Issues like scented washes, wipes, or sprays would possibly look like they’re serving to, however they typically strip away the great micro organism your vagina wants to remain wholesome,” he explains. “This may result in dryness, irritation, and the next danger of infections.”
His ultimate phrase to the clever on this entrance: “Save the flamboyant merchandise on your skincare routine and let your vagina do its factor.”
How a lot is an excessive amount of relating 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 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 if you happen to’re noticing irritation or discomfort, it’s value 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 relating to intercourse, you may go ahead higher ready as you’ve got some intimate enjoyable–whether or not alone or with a companion. Questions? Ship us a DM on Instagram or TikTok!
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