To Pee Or Not To Pee? Debunking The Myths Of Sexual Hygiene

It’s time to screw the taboos around sexual hygiene.

In a world that is trying hard to be more open-minded and modern, why is there still so much shame and stigma surrounding sexual hygiene?

Whether doing it alone or with others, sex should be fun and comfortable. But that also means educating yourself about the truth behind the sexual taboos that society is so quick to judge on.

Sex education is still not being taught thoroughly in schools across the country. And when it is on the curriculum, there’s hardly any advice or information about the more ‘taboo’ areas of sex and relationships, like gay sex, masturbation, and general sexual hygiene.

That’s why we’re here to help debunk the myths of sexual hygiene, to give you the answers you never knew you needed.

We talk to two sex experts who share their insights into sexual hygiene — Elisabeth, User Research Manager and Sexologist from Lovehoney, and Evie Plumb, an accredited sex educator, psychosexual and relationship therapist-in-training and founder of Cliterally The Best, the sex-positive platform.

Sexual hygiene is important for your overall sexual experience. There are a lot of misconceptions around what the best practices are as well as the dangers, but we’re here to talk about the real way to practice sexual hygiene habits to ensure you’re having the best sex possible.

The myths of sexual hygiene

Myth: You can get STIs by sitting on a dirty toilet

You cannot catch an STI by sitting on a dirty toilet. It’s pretty much impossible for that to happen. Most STIs are passed on through unprotected sex and physical contact with someone infected.

According to Lovehoney’s Elisabeth, “The idea that you can get an STI from sitting on a dirty toilet seat is a total myth. Science has proven that this it not at all possible.”

Obviously, public toilets can be quite filthy, but the chances of catching an STI from them are slim to none.

And on the topic of dirty places, your bed sheets. When was the last time you changed them? How often do you change them? Our bed sheets are home to a lot of dirt and bacteria, so ensure you’re changing your sheets often to reduce the risk of infections and to help improve your sleep (and sex life).

Read Bed Sheet Hygiene 101: Here’s How Often You Need To Change Your Sheets.

Myth: Douching is necessary for vaginal hygiene

Lovehoney‘s Elisabeth explains that “douching involves rinsing the vagina with water or other solutions’ but it is ‘not necessary for vaginal hygiene.” The vagina is a self-cleaning organ and douching can “disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina,” says Elisabeth.

Elisabeth advises that if you’re cleaning your vulva area (the external bits), you should use “plain water or a soap that has an adjusted pH value.”

Myth: You can diagnose an STI by appearance

A common myth is that you can diagnose STIs by their appearance. But actually, many STIs don’t have visible symptoms, or if they do, they can look like other conditions.

Some STI symptoms don’t appear until months or even years later. Elisabeth explains that “it is important to get tested regularly for STIs, especially if engaging in unprotected sex or if there is a potential exposure. The visual appearance of a person does not tell you anything about their STI status.”

Myth: Having body hair means you’re unhygienic

Cliterally the Best‘s Evie Plumb, expresses that “having underarm or pubic hair is NOT unhygienic or gross. It is totally normal and your choice.”

She explains that “hair plays a role in keeping us healthy and safe. Our eyebrows and eyelashes protect our eyes from dirt and bacteria, our pubic hair protects our genitals from bacteria and infections that can enter the body, and our underarm hair reduces friction and absorbs sweat. And like any other part of our bodies, it’s only unhygienic if you don’t clean it.”

So, if you choose to keep your body hair, you shouldn’t be shamed for it. Our bodies grow hair for a reason, so there’s nothing embarrassing about keeping it around. And if someone does make you feel ashamed for having body hair, then they’re not someone worth keeping in your life TBH.

Myth: You can’t have sex if you’re on your period

Unless it troubles you, causes you pain, or you’re not keen on it, having sex while on your period is normal and safe. Although, put down some towels because it can get a bit messy.

Evie believes you should “embrace” the messiness of period sex if you’re comfortable with it. “Period blood can act as a natural lube and often it’s easier to orgasm on your period as you can be more sensitive down there.”

Orgasms are great for cramps, too.

Whether you have sex on your period or not, it’s your choice. You might want to stay in bed and eat chocolate instead, that’s fine too.

Myth: Peeing after sex is unnecessary

It’s highly recommended that you do pee after sex. What will ruin the mood more: leaving your partner to go wee, or the risk of getting a UTI? Yeah, we thought so.

Evie believes the golden rule is “always pee after sex”. It’s important as peeing can reduce the chances of a UTI, thanks to flushing bacteria out of the urethra. However, peeing after sex does not reduce your chances of getting pregnant or getting an STI — only condoms will protect you from both.

Myth: Guys can’t get thrush

While more commonly associated with vagina owners, anyone with a penis can in fact get thrush. Evie mentions that the symptoms are similar and can include:

• Irritation, burning, and redness around the head of the penis and under the foreskin
• White discharge (like cottage cheese)
• Bad smell
• Difficulty pulling back the foreskin

Thrush is typically harmless though, and is caused by a fungus that grows in warm, moist conditions and develops if the balance of bacteria changes, for example, during sex.

You can also get thrush in different areas of the body, like the armpits, groin and mouth. You can go to your GP for anti-fungal medicine to help clear it up if it keeps occurring.

Got the ick? Read up on when an ick makes you sick and how to avoid it. It’s serious stuff.

Looking to spice up your love life? Use our Lovehoney Student discount for great savings on sex essentials.