Don't do that!

When it comes to sex, yes is generally a more useful word than no: yes, yes, yes!

But there are some basic no-nos that can spoil an intimate encounter and reduce your chances of pleasing your partner and yourself.

• Don’t bring previous partners to bed in your head. There’s no bigger turn-off than “Oh, but David used to do it like this”, or “Thandi loved it when I did that”. If David and Thandi were that great, you’d be in bed with them. Rather let this moment with this partner unfold in its own way.
•  Avoid rushing to the finish. Spend a little time relaxing and getting to know each other’s bodies, and the final explosion of feeling will be all the sweeter.
• Don’t drink too much. If you like to have a beer or a glass of wine with your supper, that’s your business. But avoid drowning your sexual fears and insecurities in alcohol. It may make you feel brave, but it won’t help your technique – and you may end up passing out too soon. Plus, you can’t relive the memory of your intimate time together if you can’t remember it!
• Don’t come to bed dirty. If you have a dirty job or hobby, most partners will appreciate it if you take a quick shower and brush your teeth before bed – especially if you are a smoker. You might love fixing your car, but your partner might not like the grease on the sheets.

Get lots more tips and info from our sex centre.

(Health24, August 2012)