7 things you should never do before and after sex
These little habits can dampen your fun and affect your health.
Jan, 2026
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Slide 1
It’s no secret that regular intimacy can benefit your mental and physical health. Among other perks, sex may:
- Improve your heart function
- Lower your stress and anxiety levels
- Reduce aches and pains
But some seemingly innocent habits before and after sex could lead to discomfort or health issues. With that in mind, here are seven things to avoid.
Written byOlivia DeLong.
Medically reviewed byJoanne Perron, MD.
Sources: Sleep Foundation. GERD and Sleep. Updated October 7 + 19
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- American Addiction Centers. How Alcohol Can Impair Judgment. Updated September 5, 2023.
- The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians. To Shave or Not to Shave: An Ob-Gyn’s Guide to Pubic Hair Care. Reviewed June 2023.
- Nemours Teens Health. Should I Shave My Pubic Hair Before Having Sex? Date reviewed: October 2018.
- WomensHealth.gov. Urinary tract infections. Page last updated February 22, 2021.
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- Hooton TM, Vecchio M, Iroz A, et al. Effect of Increased Daily Water Intake in Premenopausal Women With Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2018;178(11):1509–1515.
- Mayo Clinic. Vagina: What's typical, what's not. January 18, 2022.
- National Health Service (UK). Are sex toys safe? Last reviewed October 12, 2019.
- KY.com. How to clean sex toys. Accessed November 8, 2022.
- Planned Parenthood. What is foreplay? October 13, 2010.
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