By Karen Cicero, Prevention.com
(Main Photo By: Getty Images)
You can have the best sex of your life in your 40s and beyond. After all, you have plenty of experience, you know what you like, and you're probably not as shy about expressing your desires. But even practiced lovers can make some pre- and post-sex mistakes that may foul an otherwise beautiful coupling.
Related: Try A New Sex Position Tonight
Don't let these 7 silly things get in the way of a rockin' romp.
1. Don't rush out of bed to use the bathroom.
You may have heard you should pee immediately after sex to avoid a urinary tract infection. But a little urine isn't going to make a difference, says Jennifer Bump, MD, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. So stay put and snuggle after sex (unless you really have to pee, of course).
2. Don't finish the bottle of wine.
While a glass of vino may help put you in the mood, drinking too much can make sex unsatisfying. In one study at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, 11% of alcohol users reported problems achieving orgasm. Compared with nondrinkers, men who drank had a harder time ejaculating while women needed to be stimulated more in order to climax. The reason: Alcohol depresses parts of your nervous system that are important for arousal and orgasm. (Need help navigating sex during menopause? Then check out The Natural Menopause Solution today.)
Related: 10 Signs You Have A Healthy Sex Life
3. Avoid (or assume?) this position.
Elevating your pelvis following sex may boost your chances of conceiving. This pose could help sperm travel into your cervix, Bump explains. So depending on whether or not you're trying to conceive, you may want to watch out for how you lie after sex.
4. Don't let him skip his presex shower.
(Photo By: Getty Images)
Have an uncircumcised partner? Ask him to rinse behind his foreskin; UTI-causing bacteria may build up there and be passed to you during sex. If you're too embarrassed to request that he clean up, "have enthusiastic oral sex beforehand," says Bump. (Or don't. Yeek.)
5. Don't have a big dinner.
Lots of healthy foods--veggies, legumes, whole grains--can make you gassy during sex, says Cheryl Iglesia, MD, a gynecologist in Washington, DC. To prevent embarrassing situations, avoid these and other high-fiber foods in the hour or two before sex. Instead, have a small piece of chocolate. It boosts serotonin levels, which helps get you in the mood. (Also consider eating these 8 other foods proven to give your libido a happy boost.)
6. Don't put sex toys away without cleaning them thoroughly.
Without a proper cleanse, they could grow some infection-causing microorganisms. To protect yourself, use an antibacterial wipe or spray, Iglesia advises.
Related: 9 Ways Therapists Can Tell If Your Relationship Is Going To Survive
7. Don't use a lubricant that includes menthol.
Perimenopausal and menopausal women commonly experience a thinning of the vaginal tissue, which leads to sensitivity, Iglesia says. Stimulating lubricants often include menthol, which can be irritating. Especially for women around the age of menopause, Iglesia suggests water-based lubricants without menthol to avoid an uncomfortable evening.
By Karen Cicero, Prevention.com
This article '7 Things to Never Do Before or After Sex' originally ran on Prevention.com.
More from Prevention.com:
10 Things No One Tells You About Sex As You Get Older
6 Eating Mistakes Keeping You At A Heavier Weight Than You'd Like
What's Your Ideal Weight?
9 Genius Ways To Use Vinegar For Prettier Hair And Skin
4 Things That Happen To Your Vagina During Sex
Also on HuffPost:
