The Best And Worst Things You Can Do Before Having Sex

If the anticipation of sex is half the fun, then prepping for what is sure to be a sexy time can be equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking. Whether you are in a brand spanking new relationship, a long-term partnership, or a casual fling, getting your body and mind ready for a racy romp is par for the (inter)course. 

A survey of 2,000 American adults cited by the New York Post found that a whopping 56 percent of people admitted to awkward or "terrible" sex with a new partner. Of course, some level of awkwardness is to be expected — and that can be true whether you're in a new or established relationship — but there are some ways to make your time between the sheets better.

Yes, there are many things you can and should consider doing before you hop into bed with your chosen plus-one — and there are also plenty of activities you should avoid. Trying to make an upcoming sex sesh a little more special and, well, climactic? Read on to learn the best and worst things you can do before having sex.

If you know things are going to get heated in the bedroom, make sure they're not quite as spicy at the dinner table. You may be burning with desire, but heartburn is a wholly unpleasant issue. What's more, there are several specific foods you may want to avoid altogether before sex. As suggested by Eat This, Not That, you should probably take a hard pass on beans or cruciferous vegetables (think: cabbage, kale, and cauliflower). They could leave you with abdominal distress and, yes, gas (not exactly a turn on).

Of course, alliums (like onions and garlic) could alter your body odor — and breath — resulting in some not so sweet foreplay. Packaged desserts are another no-no. Chock full of trans fats and sugars, these items can increase your insulin and lower the testosterone level that drives your sexual desire. Beyond that, just use some common sense in your pre-passion meal choices. Anything heavy that sits like lead in the belly is not going to motivate your mojo.

You surely want to prep and primp for the marathon night ahead. But one thing you should consider skipping: shaving or waxing your pubic hair. As explained by Verywell Health, shaving in particular can be risky before sex as even the tiniest nick or cut could make you more susceptible to getting a sexually transmitted disease. So what's a hairy person to do?

First, try grooming a day or so before a sexual encounter so that your skin will have ample opportunity to heal from any cuts. Secondly, avoid any body hair removal techniques if you have an active STD outbreak because this can cause further spread to you and your potential partner. And, if possible, try to avoid razors altogether and opt to carefully, delicately trim the area with a pair of personal scissors. Another option? Confidently embrace the au naturel look. 

There's nothing particularly sexy about sneezing or coughing, but if you have seasonal allergies, you know that those fresh flowers your honey brings you at every visit will be a trigger for your runny nose or itchy eyes. But before you run to the medicine cabinet and take an antihistamine, think twice. Just as your go-to allergy pill dries out those leaky mucus membranes of yours, it could also be sucking moisture from the mucus-producing cells of your nether regions. Physician Lauren Streicher explained to Shape that this could make it harder for you to get naturally lubricated. Furthermore, some antihistamines have a sedative effect.

Don't worry, you can quell your immune system's reaction without squashing your opportunity for a good time. As recommended by Shape, get some lube, try a different medication for your allergies, or give a natural allergy-fighting supplement, such as Butterbur, a spin. 

Hoping for a wild night in bed? Consider making it a tame night at the bar. Drinking too much alcohol can impede your desire and your performance. As noted by Healthline, consumption of excessive booze can diminish on a woman's libido, make orgasm more elusive, and cause a reduction in vaginal lubrication. For men, it can make it challenging to get or keep an erection and impede ejaculation. What's more, studies, like one published in Archives of Sexual Behavior, have shown that getting drunk can lead to a potentially dangerous loss of inhibitions resulting in greater risk taking.

Of course, that doesn't mean you can't start the night with a glass or two of red wine. In fact, sipping may actually benefit you and your beloved. A study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that women who drink a small to moderate amount of red vino have enhanced "sexual desire, lubrication, and overall sexual function."

If you have been pushing super hard at the gym, your at-home, in-bed workouts may be suffering as a consequence. Research performed at the University of North Carolina found that an intense and excessive workout routine can cause a man's libido to plummet (via Women's Health). Lead study author Anthony Hackney said that it stands to reason that women would experience this same diminished drive.

Of course, that doesn't mean you should sell your treadmill and abandon your free weights; a healthy amount of movement is always important. Fitness educator Pete McCall recommends setting a standard. "To protect the libido, limit high intensity exercise to 40-45 minutes, two to three times a week," he told Women's Health. And yes, you can sweat during a run and sweat with naked fun. Research has shown that regular, moderate exercise can improve sexual wellness. Moderation is the key to health, happiness, and, apparently, sexual prowess. 

You might consider brushing your teeth and rinsing before things get hot and heavy, but you might want to refrain from using an electric toothbrush. Just as shaving your nether regions can cause tiny cuts and leave you more vulnerable to the transmission of a sexually transmitted disease, an aggressively fast and rough toothbrush can chop up your mouth and cause sensitivity and susceptibility. Dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse told Women's Health that "spinning bristles can cause tiny tears in the gums, and harsh, alcohol-based mouthwashes can dry out and irritate your mucosa, making it prone to sores and contracting STDs."

Additionally, Dr. Erika Schwartz, an internist specializing in disease prevention, told Well+Good, "When it comes to oral sex, STIs are easily transmitted if you have mouth sores or your gums bleed when you brush your teeth." You should consider skipping the floss, too, because any mouth wound — no matter how big or small — poses a risk. 

Furthermore, you may want to wait a while to brush after being intimate. Dentist Vanessa Creaven told the site that the potential of "creating any trauma ... to the gum tissue ... could promote the spread of any potential STI." 

Want to feel extra clean down there before a big date? Take a shower or have a soak, but resist douching before sex. In fact, don't do it — ever. As explained by Everyday Health, "the vagina is a self-cleaning organ" that plays host to specific bacteria that keep harmful microbes out. What's more, since the vagina is acidic, it actively works to reduce some infection risk. Unfortunately, as explained by registered nurse and professor Beverly Whipple on the wellness site: "Douching flushes out the normal bacteria in the vagina that are there to fight vaginal infections."

Furthermore, the common belief that douching can prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases is patently false. In fact, as noted by Everyday Health, douching has been linked to higher rates of infertility and ectopic pregnancies. Additionally, early research cited by the site notes that it can increase the likelihood of getting an STD.