Sexual Health 101: Sex Hygiene Habits for Vulva and Penis Owners

According to The World Health Organization, being in good sexual health means having a healthy state of physical, emotional and social well-being in relation to sexuality. Not only does taking care of the physical aspects of your sexual health include getting tested for STIs and engaging in healthy sexual relationships, but keeping your sexual hygiene in check to reduce the risk of irritation or infections. Below I have listed some pre- and post-coital tips for both vulva and penis owners to consider before, during and after sex to take that post-sex glow to a whole new level.

Don’t switch it up too quickly

Whether you are using your mouth, penis, fingers or sex toy, never move from one opening or partner to another without cleaning or replacing the contraceptive of choice.

Keep your hands clean

It may not come as a surprise that some infections can be transmitted by hands and fingers. Before and after engaging in hand-to-genital play such as vaginal or anal fingering, it’s important to wash your hands and keep your nails filed. For anal or vaginal fisting, it is advised to wear latex or non-latex gloves along with lubrication.

Choose the right lubricant

Water-based and silicone lubricants mimic bodily fluids, ease penetration, and are safe to use with latex and non-latex contraceptives. However, keep in mind the “no silicone on silicone rule”. Silicone lubricants are not safe to use with toys made from silicone, as it causes a breakdown of the material over time, making it porous, which creates the perfect ecosystem for bacterial growth and increases the risk of infection to the user.

Urinate before and after sex

Vulva owners are 30% more likely to contract urinary tract infections (UTIs) than penis owners. A likely factor is the shorter length of their urethra and the close proximity of the anus to the urethra in vulva owners. However, both can still contract them. Many find that sex is a trigger for reocurring urinary tract infections (RUTIs). Although research shows that pre and post-coital behaviors such as urination have no proven association to avoiding UTIs all together, it reduces the frequency of UTIs for those that suffer with them often.

Pre and post sex genital care

The vulva and the vagina

Although there are a multitude of “feminine” cleaning products that reinforce the absurdly misogynistic idea that vulvas and vaginas are naturally “dirty”, vulvas actually require very little cleaning and the vagina requires none. The vagina is a self-cleaning organ that uses natural secretions of discharge to clean itself. There are a lot of healthy bacteria present inside the vagina and their purpose is to protect it against any bad bacteria from entering and to keep the pH balance at an even level.

However, sex isn’t the cleanest activitiy and may require some cleaning up. So, when cleaning your vulva after sex, be mindful that ‘the vesitbule’ or the vaginal opening should never be washed and the labia minora should only be cleaned with water. The labia majora, mons pubis, and around the anus can be washed as you would the rest of the body. The key movement is wiping “front to back”, from the vagina back towards the anus using warm water and a mild unscented cleanser. When deciding what cleanser to use, keep in mind that the pH value of the product should be close to 5.3-5.6, which is the pH of vulvar skin. Also, always aim for unscented products and don’t fall for the marketing technique of “gynecologist tested!” sticker on the bottle.

The penis

Cleaning the penis before and after sex can decrease the risk of irritation or infection. Much like vulvas, using a mild unscented soap and warm water is sufficient to clean the penis and the surrounding areas. Depending on whether the penis is circumcised or uncircumcised, the cleaning method differs just a bit. That being said, cleaning circumcised penises before and after sex is of equal importance.

Those who are uncircumcised, meaning whose foreskin is still intact, are especially vulnerable to infection. Uncircumcised penises have more mucosal skin, which is the soft, sensitive skin found beneath the foreskin. It can easily trap smegma, the natural lubricant that keeps the penis moist, and other bacteria from bodily fluids beneath it, which may cause irritation if left uncleansed. To clean an uncircumcised penis before and after sex, gently pull back the foreskin to expose the entire head of the penis to remove any build up.

The anus

When it comes to anal sex or butt play, preparation is just as important as sexual hygiene as it is for comfort. Due to the importance of lubrication for anal sex and the possibility of the presence of fecal matter, keeping things clean is important. If proper pre and post-coital preparation is taken, this reduces the risk of contracting a bacterial infection like an E. coli infection or Hepatitis B. Preparing for anal sex or butt play can be as simple as using warm water and a wash cloth to clean the external areas of the anus.

Post-coital cleansing is crucial because anal penetration can also cause microscopic tears to the sphincter which can increase the possibility of infection if exposed to fecal matter along with the build up of much needed lubrication. For an easy clean up, use warm water, a mild unscented soap, and unscented baby wipes to wipe away the tougher-to-remove build up of leftover lubrication or bodily fluids.

Sex toys

Whether toys are used for solo or partnered play, anally, vaginally or orally, keeping them body safe is just another safer sex practice to abide by. Every toy, no matter the material, should be cleaned after each use and properly stored away in a clean space, but depending on their material and how they are powered, not all can be cleaned in the same manner.

Non-porous materials are sex toys that bodily fluids or water-based lubricants will not seep into and can normally be rinsed off easily with water and a mild soap. Examples of non-porous sex toy materials are silicone, ABS plastic, and metal.

Although toys of these materials may be cheaper in price, they should be used with caution and never be shared with other partners. Toys made from porous material absorb fluids and create a moist hub for bacterial growth and fungus. Some examples of porous materials that can not be fully sterilized are TPE/TPR (Thermoplastic Elastomer/Rubber), cyberskin, jelly, rubber, PVC, and latex. If you are unsure of the best method to clean your toy, most brands provide guides on how to care for each product on their website.

No matter if you are a proud owner or a penis or a vulva, adopting safe sexual hygiene behavior is just another important step in taking care of your sexual health. Our bodies are our vessels that lead us through a lot of pleasure and excitement, so why not take the best care of your bits? Keeping things clean doesn’t mean that you still can’t have some hot and dirty sex.

The Sexual Health 101 column pro­vides infor­ma­tion about sexual health related sub­jects but is not intended to be a substitute for med­ical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment. Any reader or per­son with a med­ical con­cern should con­sult with an appropriate doctor or physician.