Food and sex have gone together since the beginning. The sensuality of the tastes and textures of foods adds itself quite naturally to the act of sex. This connection has been explored in books, literature, art, and music. If you and your partner are feeling hungry for more than just each other, there are some ground rules you should know. So grab the whipped cream and strawberries, and take note.

The first rule is the biggest and most important. You should never insert anything that is food into the vagina or rectum. There is a whole host of reasons for this hard and fast rule. The most pertinent reason is food items, even hard fruits or vegetables, can be hard to remove and become lodged in the vagina or rectum. Not only can this cause damage to the tissues and sphincter, this is always an uncomfortable trip to the doctor to retrieve the items.

A secondary reason to keep food away from mucous membrane areas, especially the vaginal area, is because bacteria and sugars from foods can throw the microbiome of the vagina out of balance. Sugar especially can feed bacteria and yeast, causing infection. Liquids like honey or alcohol and pastes like chocolate or peanut butter are incredibly hard to remove completely and can leave residue that will cause issues down the road. Even creams, liquids, or dusts made especially for sexual use contain sugars, so keep them away from the "sweet spots". Feel free to tease, smear, or pour something all over the rest of your body for your partner to eat or lick off, but stay away from the vagina and rectum to avoid any future issues.

The second rule with food and sex, is to keep away from extremes. Spicy foods, whether sweet like cinnamon or savory like peppers can spice up a meal, but can turn things south in the bedroom. If you have ever cut peppers or onions and accidentally rubbed your eyes, you know why this can be bad business. Even if the sensation is enjoyable in the moment, it can cause irritation or swelling. Even if you are following rule one and keeping things away from the vagina and rectum, it's on your hands and can be transferred. It can also irritate the skin on the rest of your body. Along these lines, extreme temperatures can be painful to delicate areas. Ice or warm liquids that are tolerable to your mouth or hands can be too much for more delicate areas and quickly become intolerable.

Rule three is, food is not lubricant, especially when using condoms or dental dams. Natural food oils can, like other food items, harbor and even trap bacteria. Food oils can also quickly degrade latex, making the barrier weak and prone to breakage. Coconut oil has been all the rage for a while now, but the vast majority of doctors advise against using it. A vagina naturally expels bacteria but, if coated with oils, this process is inhibited, trapping these potentially harmful pathogens.

Keep these simple rules in mind when you stop by the kitchen on the way to the bedroom! Otherwise, bon appetit.

She Knows

Wikipedia