Taking care of your sex is an integral part of your sexual life, yet we are rarely taught how to do it. Unfortunately, the vulva is more sensitive than the penis to inconveniences such as urinary tract infections, or flora imbalances... But the rules of hygiene apply to everyone! A few practical tips can help ensure good hygiene while avoiding most difficulties.

Take care of her vulva 

To wash your sex: 

Wash your vulva once a day, but be careful, only the external part! The vagina is self-cleaning, you should never use water or soap internally, otherwise your flora will be totally unbalanced.

Which product should I use? The ideal is to use a gentle cleansing product (without soap or perfume) or simply clear water, depending on your preference. Even if it is not necessary to buy specialized products (which are expensive and often contain perfume), avoid the ultra-scented shower gels on the market. A gentle cleanser from a drugstore is ideal.

Wash, yes, but not too much: wash your vulva once a day, not more! Washing too often can unbalance your flora. If you feel the need to refresh yourself during the day (for example, when you have your period), you can rinse yourself with clean water, but without adding any product or soap.

Dry your vulva well after showering to avoid trapping moisture in this sensitive area.

Don't use wipes or deodorants! In addition to being useless, they are often harmful.

Some advice for your sexuality

Everything that comes into contact with your vulva must be clean: washing your hands (/ sextoy, penis...) is mandatory before masturbation or sex.

One does not pass from the anus to the vulva: the anus and the rectum contain bacteria which must never come into contact with this zone, at the risk of causing inconveniences like a vaginosis, a mycosis or a urinary infection. This also applies to a passage from the anus (external) to the vulva (external), even if there has been no penetration. On the other hand, doing the opposite does not cause any problems!

Go pee after sex: this reduces the risk of urinary tract infection, by removing all the little bacteria that could have come to lodge in your urethra. 

Tips for everyday life:

drink plenty of water and opt for cotton underwear.

With or without hair? Hair is hygienic: it forms a barrier that slightly reduces the risk of infection. The decision to keep or remove them should depend on your desires and preferences.

Bonus: look at your vulva in the mirror!

This area of the body is often overlooked, yet getting to know yourself better is an integral part of sexual fulfillment.

If you feel comfortable with this, take a small mirror (or the selfie camera on your cell phone), and look at your vulva, trying to identify the different elements: clitoris, urethral meatus, inner labia ("labia minora"), outer labia ("labia majora"), vaginal entrance.

Use an illustration if you are unsure.

Take care of your penis

Wash your penis:

It should be cleaned thoroughly every day. The penis is generally less sensitive to flora imbalances than the vulva, so it's perfectly fine to use soap or shower gel to wash it, although a gentle cleanser is ideal. If you haven't had a circumcision operation, don't forget to untwist your penis to wash your glans. The scrotum (skin around the testicles) and anus should also be cleaned carefully.

Touch your testicles:

Testicular cancer is very treatable if caught early. And the best way to spot it early is to feel your testicles regularly! Once a month, under the shower with soapy water, use one hand to hold your testicles and the other to feel them for any abnormality: a small hard ball under the skin, pain, swelling... If in doubt, go quickly to your general practitioner.

Take care of your partners:

Of course, the penis is less sensitive than the vulva to infections and imbalances. But a lack of hygiene on your part could lead to an inconvenience for your partner. Taking care of your sexual health also means thinking of others by practicing good hygiene, providing condoms that fit, finding out what could be a problem for your partner, and seeking advice at the first sign of trouble.

Find the right condom:

A condom that is too tight can create a loss of sensation, and a condom that is too wide is more likely to slip off during sex. A good condom is snug, but not too tight. If you're not sure about your size, you can visit this site.

Taking care of your sex also means...

Accept the smell:

Your vulva and penis don't smell like roses and that's okay! As long as your hygiene is good and your smell doesn't suddenly change, there's no reason to worry. 

Consult a doctor at the slightest alert:

Unusual discharge, the appearance of a small ball, itching, a sudden change in the smell of your sex, patches, pain, a strange discharge... Any unusual signal should lead you to consult your general practitioner quickly. Most difficulties and discomforts can be easily solved if they are properly managed.

If you have a problem, avoid "home remedies":

Many people try to treat fungus or vaginosis with crazy remedies (like putting yogurt or garlic in the vagina!).

The result is that it usually gets worse. Ask your doctor or gynecologist for advice before trying anything out of the ordinary to solve your problem, and don't forget that traditional medical treatments (ova, antibiotics...) are the most effective and safest.

Protect yourself from STIs:

STIs are unfortunately on the rise due to a decrease in the use of protection. Using condoms and getting tested regularly are the two best ways to protect yourself!

I hope that these few tips will help you take care of your sex in a simple way.