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6 things you should never ever do before you have sex

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Avoid doing any of these things before having sex.
Avoid doing any of these things before having sex.

As an experienced lady in the sack, you’ve probably become more comfy with your body, and rock moves that would make younger you slow clap – but even the savviest women can make pre-sex mistakes. And those unforeseen errors can morph an otherwise ah-mazing romp into an experience fit for a therapist’s couch.

From protecting yourself against STDs to avoiding dry lady parts and embarrassing farts, here are six pre-sex no-nos you may want to take under consideration before your next roll in the hay.

1. Taking an antihistamine

Antihistamines work by drying out your mucous membranes to relieve nasal congestion… and in doing so, can also dry out other parts of your body, especially the vagina, says Nicole E Williams, board-certified gynaecologic surgeon. Long story short, no matter how turned on you might be, your vagina will not get the memo.

Read more: 5 things you should never ever do during sex

2. Eating spicy foods

“Foods can affect vaginal odour and taste,” says Kathryn Boling, primary care physician at Mercy Medical Center. Super-spicy foods like jalapeños can cause gas, bloating and farts that just won’t quit. What’s worse, the residue left on your hands and in your mouth post-nosh is notorious for setting genitals on fire.

3. Drinking too much

Sure, light drinking can put some people in the mood, but overdoing it can dull your senses – and may send your big O packing. “Since alcohol is a known depressant, your ability to experience an orgasm may actually be diminished if you’re too buzzed,” says Dr Williams.

In fact, one study at the University of Missouri-St. Louis found that 11% of alcohol users had problems achieving orgasm: Men who drank had a harder time ejaculating (pun totally intended), while women needed an extra stimulation for their grand finale.

Read more: 5 things you should never do after sex

4. Using an electric toothbrush

It sounds weird but using an electric toothbrush and alcohol-based mouthwashes might make you more prone to STDs. “Similar to sensitive vaginal mucosa, spinning bristles can cause tiny tears in the gums, and harsh, alcohol-based mouthwashes can dry out and irritate your mucosa, making it prone to sores and contracting STDs,” says Tsippora Shainhouse, board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills.

5. Shaving

If you’re a woman who prefers trimming her hedges, it’s best to shave the night before nookie to give your skin a chance to heal, says Dr Shainhouse. “Shaving will exfoliate the top layer of the skin, making the area more sensitive,” she adds. “It can irritate hair follicles, causing a pink bumpy rash, and can cause tiny cuts, which would leave your skin open to potential infections, such as herpes and HPV.”

It’s also one of the main reasons why your vagina could be itchy. Use a multi-blade razor to get a closer shave in one swipe and apply a thin layer of 1% hydrocortisone cream to reduce inflammation. Reapply the next morning if there are any signs of irritation hanging around, says Dr Shainhouse.

6. Using food as foreplay

The chocolate sauce pre-game show is hot in the moment, but the post-sex yeast infection? Not so much. “Using anything with sugar in it as a lubricant (whether on purpose or not) can cause a yeast infection, as yeast thrives on sugar,” says Dr Boling. Message received loud and clear! Check out these three foods that make him frisky.

Looking for more advice on what you shouldn’t be doing in the bedroom? Here are the four most dangerous sex positions that could actually hurt his bits, plus did you know that you can also tear, cut and bruise your vagina too?

This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com

Image credit: iStock 

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