Sexually active people open themselves up to a lot more than new experiences. When you start having sex, you expose your vagina or penis to different bacteria. Vaginas are particularly susceptible to disruptions that may lead to vaginal infections. If you’re having sex and noticing changes in your vagina after sex, then going through rounds of yeast infection treatments or antibiotics every other month, it might be time to learn more about how sex impacts vaginal health.
Your Vagina Has a Normal pH Level
You might remember pH levels from science class, but just in case you don’t, pH measures the acidity of a solution. Healthy vaginas have an “acidic” pH between 3.8 and 4.5 because of helpful microbes. These microbes help the vagina resist infections and limit the growth of harmful bacteria. Remember—not all bacteria in the vagina is “bad.”
The Effects of Penetrative Sex on the Vaginal Microbiome
There are both “good” and “bad” bacteria in your gut, on your skin, and in your vagina. With good bacteria and harmful bacteria, there is a balance. If the balance of bacteria is off in the vagina, it disrupts the vaginal microbiome. A new sex partner, product, or bodily fluid can unsettle the vaginal microbiome. This disturbance makes it easier for bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections to occur.
Different Kinds of Vaginal Infections
Bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections are two of the most common sexual healthcare concerns for women. They can cause changes in the color and consistency of discharge as well as vaginal odor. An imbalance of good and bad bacteria may be the catalyst for both infections, but a yeast infection is an overgrowth of a fungus called candida.
You can get treatment for yeast infection symptoms and BV symptoms online after a consultation with a licensed healthcare professional. Your sex partner likely won’t need treatment for BV or a yeast infection unless they are experiencing symptoms (unlike with STIs and STDs, for which they will need treatment).
How You Can Maintain a Healthy Vagina and Still Have Sex
You might not want to have sex while treating an infection, but you can get back to doing it after the infection clears. Whether you know what it’s like to have an infection or try to avoid them altogether, you can do things to maintain a healthy vagina and still have sex.
Use Condoms
Condoms put a barrier between you and your partner’s skin and fluids. They can reduce the risk of STI transference, pregnancy, and pH imbalance. Just make sure they are non-irritating to sensitive skin.
Clean Up
There are wipes and personal washes to clean up before and after sex (even pH-balanced ones). Peeing after sex can help prevent yeast infections and UTIs. And don’t forget to wash your hands.
Use Lube
Silicone-based lube reduces friction and can help maintain vaginal pH. Look for one that’s hypoallergenic and fragrance-free.
Extra Ways to Support a Balanced Vaginal Environment
To further promote a healthy vaginal microbiome, you can pick up some preventative options and BV treatment over the counter from online sexual healthcare providers. These include boric acid suppositories and probiotics for BV and yeast. At-home preventative treatments may help stop infections before they start.
Most forms of sex will impact vaginal microbiomes because of the thin lining and moist environment of the vagina. However, you can have a safe and healthy sex life. Use all-natural remedies like boric acid and probiotics to support vaginal health and monitor changes in discharge consistency, odor, and discomfort. These are also helpful in preventing yeast infections, even if you’re not sexually active. If any changes occur, contact an online healthcare provider for fast and discreet treatment of common symptoms.
About Wisp
Wisp is an online sexual healthcare provider making it easy for you to get treatment and information on your own terms. They can connect you with US-licensed practitioners to request treatment and have a prescription ready for pickup at your local pharmacy in three hours. Wisp also provides fast and discreet three-day delivery, which is great for birth control or recurring treatment subscriptions. Sexual healthcare covers some of the most common health concerns in the US. It’s essential to keeping you and your partners safe. Wisp provides 24/7 medical access and a blog that answers many common questions about bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast infections, and herpes, as well as BV, yeast infection, and herpes medication. With Wisp, you can help normalize conversations around sexual health and find affordable, easy-to-access treatments.
Learn more about safe sex practices and healthy vaginas at https://hellowisp.com/
Original Source: https://bit.ly/3DXTaVx
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