Good overall health is important, but it is also smart to be sexually healthy! There are many ways to keep you safe, as well as ensure a happy sex life. We’ve got seven ways below.
Always wear a condom with a new partner. Preventing the spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) is important to a healthy body, and condoms are a smart way to protect yourself as well as your new partner. Even if you are on the Pill to help ward off pregnancy, a condom is still essential to protect you from STIs.
Discuss STIs with a new partner. When having sex with someone new, be sure to share imperative information, such as if you have or have ever had an STI, and when the last time you were tested for one was. (And don’t forget to get tested for an STI every year!)
Visit your gyno annually. Much like you would regularly visit your family doctor, dentist and optometrist, don’t forget to make an annual appointment with your gynecologist to ensure a healthy reproductive system. Also, a Pap test is essential to detect any abnormalities (including cancerous cells) on your cervix.
Eat a well-balanced diet. We know you likely eat well, ensuring you get lots of nutrients from fruits and veggies, lean meats, dairy products, and more. This helps keep your body at its healthiest and most productive, but some foods offer an added boost. For example, apples and grapes are great energy boosters and help produce estrogen, the female sex hormone. Also, ginger helps stimulate blood flow to the genitals.
Drink plenty of water. We know that water is important to one’s overall health, as it flushes out impurities from our bodies. But water can also help with vaginal lubrication: a decrease of it may simply be due to dehydration. Try drinking a bit more water to ease the dryness!
Keep your toys clean. When it comes to using your favourite vibrator, know that it can cause vaginal bacterial infections, as well as yeast infections if it hasn’t been properly cleaned. Be sure to use an adult toy cleanser after each use, or a mild soap and water, and dry completely. Also, it is wise to use a condom with your vibrator, especially if it’s a jelly-like dildo made of phthalate, which may pose health risks such as cancer and infertility.
Have frequent sex. Sex has plenty of benefits, ranging from easing stress and looking younger, to staying fit, relieving headaches, improving brain performance and helping you sleep better. There’s no reason not to have lots of it!
