All Afterglow members receive 20% off their first purchase at Momotaro Apotheca with code “AFTERGLOW”
By Lindsay Wynn
Sexual intimacy is a beautiful and natural part of life, offering connection, pleasure, and exploration. However, it’s essential to remember that it can sometimes lead to physical discomfort. You’re not alone if you’ve ever found yourself searching for answers to queries like “my vagina hurts after sex,” “pain during sex,” or even my “vulva is on fire”.
Dive into discomfort with us and we divulge our own post pleasure practices for optimal vulva and vaginal health.
Understanding Post-Sex Physical Discomfort.
Sexual intimacy can occasionally lead to various forms of discomfort. This might include soreness, irritation, or even minor tears. This could be from penetration, toys, friction, BDSM, anything that may cause physical discomfort to the body with pleasure focused intention. It’s important to remember that these feelings are entirely normal and can be addressed with thoughtful aftercare.
So what do I do?
When our vulvas and vaginas are experiencing pain, inflammation or microtearing it’s important to select gentle and effective products that will not cause additional harm, do not contain fragrance, endocrine disruptors, are pH balanced and designated specifically for these use cases.
Products we live by.
Momotaro Apotheca’s Multi-Use Salve: A luxurious, plant based balm designed to soothe and moisturize sensitive vulva skin. It’s perfect for addressing discomfort and promoting healing after sex. This product is crafted with ingredients like shea butter, calendula, tea tree and oregon grape, all clinically studied to decrease inflammation, naturally soothe intimate skin as well as contain antimicrobial properties that fight against yeast and bacterial infections. Learn more about Haley Jakobsons magical experience with the salve here.
Momotaro Apotheca’s Suppository: A gentle suppository created to help relieve irritation, itching and general discomfort, especially associated with dryness and yeast infections (a common symptom of rough sex, irritation from condoms, lube etc.) within the vaginal canal. With its blend of nourishing ingredients such as cocoa butter, echinacea and beechwood, The Suppository can be a valuable addition to your post-sex care routine as a more concentrated form of relief. More questions about Suppositories, everything you need to know here.
The Importance of Aftercare beyond the body.
We can’t forget the post coitus drop some of us feel after the comedown of ell the adrenaline and endorphins we feel during sex. It is all about self-love, pampering, and soothing our minds after any type of sexual encounter. It’s a way to nurture and celebrate your body’s needs while ensuring your sexual experiences are pleasurable and fulfilling. This process can help prevent lingering pain and foster a deeper connection with yourself and even your partner. This can include cuddling, conversation, a shower together, whatever you feel naturally drawn to after sex. If you are exploring BDSM, find a comprehensive guide on aftercare here.
Crafting Your Aftercare Routine
While we understand the physical and emotional aspects of after care may require different needs there are simple ways we can combine these practices.
Here is our aftercare cheat sheet:
- Stay in bed. I love about 3-5 minutes of lying around. Catch your breath, lay close to a partner or stay cozy post masturbation.
- Cleanse Gently: Use warm water and cleanse gently, you can also use mild, fragrance-free soap if you need.
- Apply the Salve: If you’re experiencing discomfort to the vulva, apply a small amount of Salve to the affected area, it has a very pleasant cool feeling upon application.
- Consider the Suppository: For deeper relief, use the Suppository as directed. These products work together beautifully to provide comprehensive aftercare.
- Hydration: Stay well-hydrated to promote overall vaginal health.
- Revel in the benefits: Sex and masturbation have tons of ancillary benefits, go about your day or night knowing you did something good for your mind and body.
Sexual aftercare is a fundamental part of responsible, healthy, and enjoyable sexual experiences. There’s no need for shame when it comes to addressing post-sex discomfort. By embracing the concept of aftercare and using quality products you can cultivate a deeper connection with your body and ensure that your sensual experiences are as safe and pleasurable as they should be. Remember, self-care is not just about your body; it’s about celebrating the incredible, intimate connection you have within yourself.
Want to learn more about the intersection of sexual and mental health, learn more here.
60% of women are dissatisfied with their sex lives. We’re on a mission to change that.
What if you didn’t have to search to find a body that looks like yours, a sex act that turns you on, or a guided exercise that helps you tell your partner exactly what you’ve been craving?
What if YOUR pleasure came first?