September is Sexual Health Awareness Month, which makes this the perfect time to upgrade your intimate care routine. As cam models, your sexual health is vital to your overall well-being as it helps you feel your best and ensures you are healthy enough to keep working. Here are six easy ways to put your sexual health first.
STAY HYDRATED
Remember, you’re likely using lube every day for hours upon hours, so be sure you don’t choose a product that irritates your delicate skin.
This hardly qualifies as groundbreaking information, but drinking plenty of water is one of the best things you can do for your body. Yeah, it makes you look great and feel even better, but it works wonders for your sexual health as well. For one, it helps prevent urinary tract infections, but it can also make it easier for your body to lubricate itself during those long cam shifts. It also lubricates your muscles, so you don’t cramp up while trying all those sexy positions that drive your fans wild.
KEEP YOUR TOYS CLEAN
Just as any craftsperson takes care of their tools of the trade, you should also take good care of yours. Wash your toys with mild soap and water after every shift, then dry and store them properly, so they are always squeaky clean. You should also examine your toys regularly, checking for signs that might indicate it’s time to treat yourself to something new. For example, nicks, tears or indentations could create a hiding place for bacteria and give it a clear path right into your body, which is the last place you want it to go. Also, if the color of your toy appears to be fading, that could be a sign the material is weakening, which leaves even more room for those nasty little germs to grow.
COMFORT IS KEY
A big part of taking care of your health, both sexual and otherwise, is listening to your body. So, if a certain act feels uncomfortable for you, that could be your body’s way of telling you something. Don’t force things that don’t feel right, and don’t let anyone pressure you into it either. Maybe anal is particularly painful for you, or you can only take specific toy shapes and sizes before you start to feel uncomfortable. Either way, you don’t want to push your limits and end up with a painful injury that could take you out of work for days, weeks or even months. So, if your body says “no,” listen!
SPLURGE ON THE GOOD LUBE
With so many types of lube on the market, it can be hard to know which one is best for you. Many models find their favorites through trial and error, but make sure this is not an area you’re skimping on. Remember, you’re likely using lube every day for hours upon hours, so be sure you don’t choose a product that irritates your delicate skin or, worse yet, fails to ease the friction while you’re using your favorite toys.
You should also avoid using other substances not intended to be used as a lubricant. Coconut oil is a popular “hack,” for example, and while it smells and feels good, it can throw off your natural PH balance and leave you open to infections. Spit is convenient, and you can’t beat the price, but it doesn’t have the right consistency and dries too quickly, irritating the skin. Worse yet, it transfers any bacteria you may have in your mouth right down south, which is a big “thanks, but no thanks.”
If you need a few suggestions, Sliquid, Aloe Cadabra and Juicy Lube are all popular choices, but be sure to do your research and find what works best for your body.
USE THE RESTROOM AFTER SHOWS
Have you ever heard the age-old myth that using the restroom after sex can help you avoid pregnancy? Well, that might not be true, but doing it after a show can still be beneficial for other reasons. It can keep bacteria and lubricants away from the urethra, where it can wreak havoc and cause, you guessed it, a UTI.
PRACTICE POST-SHOW AFTERCARE
Once you’ve wrapped for the day (or night), take some time to practice some well-deserved aftercare. First, rehydrate with a few glasses of water, then hop in the bath or shower and clean your intimate areas with mild soap and warm water to wash away any excess lube that may still be clinging to your skin. Once you’re done, moisturize your body with a luxurious body lotion or even that coconut oil you were planning to use for *ahem* something else. Then, rest up because you deserve it!
Jackie Backman is the content manager for Cams.com. She has been working in the industry for over 14 years and specializes in copywriting, beauty and social media management. Follow her @beautychaoticofficial on Instagram.