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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.
Sources: Sleep Foundation. GERD and Sleep. Update... + 19
- Sleep Foundation. GERD and Sleep. Updated October 7, 2022.
- Heidarzadeh-Esfahani N, Soleimani D, et al. Dietary Intake in Relation to the Risk of Reflux Disease: A Systematic Review. Prev Nutr Food Sci. 2021 Dec 31;26(4):367-379.
- Cleveland Clinic. Gastrointestinal Soft Diet Overview. Reviewed February 25, 2021.
- Mayo Clinic. Antihistamine, Decongestant, And Anticholinergic Combination (Oral Route). Last updated November 01, 2022.
- Mayo Clinic. Vaginal Dryness. December 4, 2020.
- Goncharenko V, Bubnov R, Polivka J Jr, Zubor P, et al. Vaginal dryness: individualised patient profiles, risks and mitigating measures. EPMA J. 2019 Mar 2;10(1):73-79.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Experiencing Vaginal Dryness? Here's What You Need to Know. Reviewed February 2024.
- Urology Care Foundation. Erectile Dysfunction: What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)? Updated June 2018.
- Scott-Sheldon LA, Carey KB, Cunningham K, Johnson BT, et al. Alcohol Use Predicts Sexual Decision-Making: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Experimental Literature. AIDS Behav. 2016 Jan;20 Suppl 1(0 1):S19-39.
- 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.
- The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). Last updated November 2020.
- Bono MJ, Leslie SW, Reygaert WC. Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections. [Updated 2023 Nov 13]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
- 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.
