With all the talk about college students having unprotected sex and getting STDs (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, click on this link),  maybe it’s time we start to talk about the most important yet also most overlooked step in sex, aftercare. 

There are two different meanings related to aftercare. One is related to your emotional health and another to your physical health. 

Emotional Aftercare

While aftercare is mostly related to BDSM, normal sex should also include aftercare. Some people experience what is known as post-sex blues. Post-sex blues happens when you feel a range of negative feelings after wanted sexual activity like sadness or irritable.

Aftercare in this situation refers to the things you do to make sure everyone is okay and taken care of after sex play. It’s like giving your partner a little extra TLC after sex. It helps to prevent you from completely crashing after a feel-good chemical rush.

+ How to practice aftercare in this context

Ask you partner how they’d like to be approached after sex. Some people like and need some aftercare whereas other prefer to get some space. 

Most aftercare activities include cuddling, pillow talk, just hanging out together drinking tea or ordering some food. 

It is basically small things that will make both of you feel closer and more connected. 

There’s no wrong way to practice aftercare. 

Physical Aftercare

While the most effective way to prevent STDs is having protected sex, there are some aftercare steps that you can practice to avoid UTIs and even sometimes STDs:

+ Wash up

Wash the area around, not inside, your genitals with plain warm water.

+ Wash your hands

After touching your partner’s or your own genitals, its better to wash your hands with soap to stop any infections from spreading. 

+ Go Pee

Peeing after sex can help get rid of some of the germs that may have sneaked their way into your urethra during sex.

+ Wear loose clothing and underwear

Wearing tight and hot clothing will make you sweat and that is the perfect environment for bacteria and yeast to grow. It best to wear cotton underwear and wear pants that are loose and breathable.

+ Get tested

If you’re sexually active and start showing symptoms like discharge, pain, blisters, sores, spots, or lumps around your genitals then you should get tested. Don’t be afraid or shy, it better to get it treated rather than letting your infection get worse.