Fit for sex: healthy genitals = happy sex life

We devise fitness regimes to give us bigger biceps or shapely bottoms but few people think about how genital health can impact their sex lives.

Then something happens – erection difficulties, recurrent thrush, sex becomes painful – and suddenly we’re like, ‘Oh, so that’s what a healthy penis/vulva feels like. NOT like this!’.

Most people don’t appreciate good health until it’s gone. But if you want a good, long-lasting sex life, you need to approach it in a holistic way. Make sure your mind, your body and your genitals are all being looked after and nurtured and you’re on the right path.

FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY VULVA

Change tampons frequently ♥  To always smell fresh, avoid eating garlic, tight clothing, tight underwear that doesn’t breathe, tights ♥ Wipe front to back after you’ve been to the loo ♥ Rinse thoroughly after washing  ♥ Ideally, wash with a soap-free liquid (like Femfresh) ♥ Pee before and after sex to flush out bacteria ♥ Don’t even think about using vaginal deodorant ♥ Have sex regularly to keep your pelvic floor muscles toned and the vaginal walls flexible ♥ If you’re serious about pelvic muscle tone, consider investing in a kegel exerciser ♥ Masturbate regularly using a variety of techniques (fingers, vibrator) so you don’t become dependent on one type of stimulation ♥ Use a good quality lubricant to protect the delicate walls of the vagina from tiny cuts and tears during penetrative sex ♥ Exercise – it improves the blood flow essential for sexual arousal ♥ Stop smoking. It’s linked to cervical cancer.

FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY ERECTION

Be realistic – age affects erections ♥ You’re not going to be as hard or have as many erections at 40, as you will at 18. Don’t stress about it ♥ Lead a healthy lifestyle and exercise ♥ The better your general health, the less likely you are to need medication – a common cause of erection problems ♥ Avoid stress – a calm penis is a happy one. Overworked, exhausted penises (not surprisingly) have trouble rising to the occasion ♥ Watch your diet. Kebabs, curries, too much beer – it all works to slow down your blood flow. A strong, regular blood flow is what’s needed to engorge the tissues which make your penis go hard ♥ Don’t over indulge in alcohol. One drink gives you courage, another loses your inhibitions, the third often loses your erection  ♥ Don’t smoke: there are definite links between smoking and impotence ♥ For the best possible penis health and erection quality, try a penis pump to improve blood flow and improve the size and quality of your erections. ♥ Ejaculate regularly – it helps to keep everything in good working order! ♥ Do kegel exercises. They’re not just for women!