No, we’re not just worried about bad breath and flatulence. We’re worried you might fall asleep before the opportune moment. Think of s*x as a workout. You wouldn’t wolf down heaping portions of creamy pastas and decadent desserts before hitting the gym, now would you?
Yes, the “food coma” is pretty real. Carby, fatty and sugary foods can all trigger a pretty strong slow-down signal to your brain as soon as they hit your gut. The signal tells your brain to slow down so the body can focus on the task at hand — digesting all the food you just chowed down. As you eat more and more, your body releases more insulin in the digestion process — which only leads to increased serotonin and melatonin in the brain — making you drowsy.
2. Don’t drink too much.
Not only do you want to make sure you will remember your lovemaking sesh, you want to make sure you’re at peak performance for it. While light drinking can put some people in the mood, heavy drinking dulls your sensations, making arousal and climax difficult. Alcohol also dilates your blood vessels, making it difficult to maintain an erection when you have high blood alcohol content.
3. Don’t worry about how you look.
Stop scrutinizing your muffin top or examining your thigh gap. Feeling self-conscious about your body can hurt your s*x life as you might be less likely to initiate s*x or even be able to enjoy it. If you’re too worried about how you look, your wandering mind will make it more difficult to get satisfaction. Stop worrying and start enjoying.
4. Don’t forget the lube.
After menopause, vaginal dryness is a problem quite a few women experience — which can sometimes make you reluctant to have s*x. Lower estrogen levels in the body can make your vaginal tissues thinner and lead to dryness. Doctors can prescribe creams, tablets and other estrogen therapies to help reverse the thinning, but lube used prior to intercourse is a simple, effective measure. Gynecologist Cheryl Iglesia told The Huffington Post that water-based and/or silicone-based lubricants are an option. Water-based lubes tend to be less irritating, she says, while silicone-based ones can last longer.
5. Don’t forget to pee (before and after).
Iglesia says that, for older people with bladder issues, going to the bathroom before can help avoid any discomfort or embarrassing incidents.
And of course, there’s peeing afterwards, which you might have heard can help prevent UTIs. s*x can push bacteria into your urethra, which is why it’s good to pee afterwards. Iglesia says it’s particularly important for post-menopausal women. She says that after menopause, lower estrogen means a rise in the v**ina’s pH and an upswing in bacteria.
