COUPLES ONLY!!! 6 Things You Should Never Do Before S3x

1. Taking an Antihistamine: Antihistamines work by drying out your mucus membranes to relieve nasal congestion… and in doing so, can also dry out other parts of your body, especially the v**ina, says Nicole E. Williams, M.D., board-certified gynecologic surgeon. Long story short, no matter how turned on you might be, your vag will not get the memo.

2. Eating Spicy Foods: “Foods can affect vaginal odor and taste,” says Kathryn Boling, M.D., primary care physician at Mercy Medical Center. Super-spicy foods like jalapeños can cause gas, bloating, and farts that just won’t quit. What’s worse, the residue left on your hands and in your mouth post-nosh is notorious for setting private parts on fire.

3. Drinking Too Much: Sure, light drinking can put some people in the mood, but overdoing it can dull your senses—and may send your big O packing. “Since alcohol is a known depressant, your ability to experience an climax may actually be diminished if you’re too buzzed,” says Williams. In fact, one study at the University of Missouri-St. Louis found that 11 percent of alcohol users had problems achieving climax: Men who drank had a harder time ejaculating (pun totally intended), while women needed an extra stimulation for their grand finale.

4. Using an Electric Toothbrush: It sounds weird, but using an electric toothbrush and alcohol-based mouthwashes might make you more prone to STDs. “Similar to sensitive vaginal mucosa, 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,” says Tsippora Shainhouse, M.D., board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills.

5. Shaving: If you’re a woman who prefers trimming her hedges, it’s best to shave the night before nookie to give your skin a chance to heal, says Shainhouse. “Shaving will exfoliate the top layer of the skin, making the area more sensitive,” she adds. “It can irritate hair follicles, causing a pink bumpy rash, and can cause tiny cuts, which would leave your skin open to potential infections, such as herpes and HPV.” Use a multi-blade razor to get a closer shave in one swipe, and apply a thin layer of one percent hydrocortisone cream to reduce inflammation. Reapply the next morning if there are any signs of irritation hanging around, says Shainhouse.

6. Using Food as Foreplay: The chocolate sauce pre-game show is hot in the moment, but the post-s*x yeast infection? Not so much. “Using anything with sugar in it as a lubricant (whether on purpose or not) can cause a yeast infection, as yeast thrives on sugar,” says Boling. Message received loud and clear!