

Here's How To 'Pregame' Your Vagina For Sex
Although pregaming’s origin is connected to events that transpire before an actual athletic game, I started hearing the word, A LOT, once college students started saying that it’s the drinking that you do before, well, more drinking. And now that the word is on commercials ‘n stuff for all sorts of random reasons — yeah, when it comes to creating a ritual that will get yourself ready for sex, I think that “pregaming” is fitting in that manner too.
So, let’s do this. Since, when it comes to coitus, your vagina will be the MVP (see what I just did there?), here are 12 — well, technically 13 — things that you can do to pregame “her” for all of the action that is to come.
1. Eat Vitamin C-Rich Foods
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If you’ve ever wondered what can lead to infections like bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections, it’s what typically transpires when your vagina’s pH levels are off (check out “Sis, This Is How To Keep Your Vagina's pH Balanced”). Something that can keep your pH where it needs to be (so that there are more “good bacteria” in your vagina than bad) is to either take a vitamin C supplement or to consume foods that are high in the nutrient. Some of those include bell peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, white potatoes, cabbage, citrus fruits, and cantaloupe. Even eating these in the hours before you plan on having sex can help to ward off irritations that could lead to certain types of vaginal itching and discomfort later on.
2. Consume Some Kefir Yogurt
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Even though there’s a Harvard study that professes that probiotics do very little to maintain vaginal health (what in the world?), there is also plenty of other intel that says the complete opposite. For one thing, what many experts (including ones from the institution) can agree on is that probiotics do wonders for preserving your gut health — and since roughly 80 percent of your immune system is housed there, indirectly your vagina is gonna benefit right there alone. Not only that, but when your vagina doesn’t have as much Lactobacillus acidophilus (a type of probiotic that’s loaded with good bacteria that is in your mouth, gut, and vagina) as it should, things like having unprotected sex could result in a change in your discharge, a fishy smell or itchiness.
Something that contains more probiotics than “regular” yogurt is kefir which is a type of fermented milk drink. Since it also has plenty of protein along with a good amount of vitamin B12, calcium, and phosphorus, drinking some will always be a good move as far as your vaginal (sexual) health goes.
And while it’s kind of difficult to find some firm data for my final point, as someone who is a big fan of the Lifeway Kefir brand, I personally think that another bonus that comes with kefir is it makes your vaginal area smell more pleasant; some people I’ve recommended it to said that their partner claims that they taste better down below, after consuming it, too.
3. Drink Plenty of Infused Water
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If you haven’t been treating your system to some DIY-infused water, I’m telling you that you’re totally missing out. Not only does it make drinking “plain” water easier to do, but it can also help to control your appetite, regulate your blood sugar levels, detox your system, hydrate your body and improve your immunity as well. Know what else infused water can do? Provide your vagina with more natural lubrication as it helps to flush out bad bacteria that may be sitting up in there. So yeah, definitely indulge in some infused water prior to sex. Taste of Home has over 20 fruit-based recipes that you can try out here.
4. Work on an Exercise Ball
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When it comes to strengthening vaginal walls, who hasn’t heard about the importance of doing kegels? Uh-huh, but what do you know about swapping out your office chair for an exercise ball? Word on the street is if you sit on it for even 15-30 minutes a day, it will automatically cause the muscles of your pelvic floor to contract which could definitely pregame you for some better orgasms later on.
5. Be Panty-Less
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If you work from home, try and avoid putting on any underwear the day that you plan on gettin’ it in. The more that your vaginal region is able to “breathe,” the more that you decrease the chances of extra moisture, ultimately irritating and/or causing some sort of pH imbalance down there before you even get around to having sex.
6. Give Yourself a Perineal Massage
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As a doula, something that I oftentimes recommend pregnant women do (actually, it’s more like I suggest that their partner do it to them) is get an at-home perineal massage on a weekly basis once they enter into their third trimester. From a birthing standpoint, it helps to stretch their vaginal opening, which can ultimately decrease their chances of ripping or tearing during childbirth (or even needing an episiotomy, for that matter).
We all know how (most) babies are made, so guess what? If you have a partner who is… “bigger than average” (an average erect penis is 5.5”), another pregame hack would be to give yourself a version of this massage, basically for the same reason: to stretch out your vaginal skin. Propping your lower back up with a couple of pillows, put a non-irritating carrier oil like sweet almond, vitamin E, or hemp seed oil onto your index and middle fingers and then gently caress the rim of your vaginal opening for even five minutes the day before and day of sex can make intercourse way more comfortable.
Just make sure to go with something like a water-based lubricant (or even some 100 percent pure aloe vera gel) instead of oil if you’re going to use a condom the day of sex; oils tend to thin out rubbers, and that makes them far less effective.
7. Clean Your Clitoral Hood
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I once read a story that damn near horrified me. I’m not sure how long your pubic hair has to get in order for so much of it to be trapped in your clitoral hood that you have to basically circumcise it to get rid of it all (ain’t it wild how so many women “forget” that the skin on their clitoris is basically foreskin?). LAWD. It definitely served as the inspiration behind a piece that I penned for the platform a while back entitled, “7 Reasons You Should TOTALLY Be In Love With Your Clitoral Hood.”
Anyway, sometimes vaginas can get irritated during or after sex because there is hair, lint, or some dried-up discharge that’s caught up in the clitoral hood. This can be remedied by putting some olive oil on a Q-tip, slightly pulling the skin that’s covering your clitoris, and using the Q-tip to clean the area out. It’s a small hack that can make a really big difference. Trust me.
8. Condition Your Pubic Hair
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Fairly recently, I penned a piece for the platform entitled, “12 Men Told Me What They Love So Much About Vaginas” (check it out when you get a chance). Something that wasn’t expounded on (that I do get told fairly often whenever the topic of va-jay-jays comes up) is how much a lot of men enjoy pubic hair — more specifically, well-groomed pubic hair. As you’re keeping that in mind, do your partner a solid by also making sure to condition your pubic hair on the day that you plan on having sex. By applying some avocado, jojoba, or carrot seed oil (for example) right after you get out of the shower, those hairs will become so much softer — which will make oral sex more pleasant for the giver and, by default, the receiver too.
9. Replenish with a Yoni Gel
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If you’re someone who, no matter how many preventative measures you take to avoid it, still end up with a bit of an unpleasant scent during sex or some (minor) vaginal irritation afterward, you might want to try applying an all-natural type of vaginal gel. One that many people sing the praises of is Sugar Baby’s Sweet Kitty Yoni Gel. It contains rosewater, aloe vera, and tea tree oil — all of which are great at keeping your vulva skin healthy and smelling fresh.
10. Apply an Aphrodisiac Scent to Your Inner Thighs
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Did you know that people with a heightened sense of smell tend to have more intense orgasms, while those with a lower sense of smell typically have a lower sex drive? Something that you can do to increase your and your partner’s chances of experiencing the former instead of the latter is to put some perfume, cologne, or, my personal favorite, an aphrodisiac-themed essential oil (check out “8 Natural Aphrodisiac Scents, Where They Go & How To Make Them Last”) in between your thighs. If you’ve got a man who partakes of your “fruit” readily and willingly, he will love the experience all the more if his sense of smell is perked up with an enticing scent that’s been strategically placed on your inner thighs.
11. STOP Making Yourself Urinate Before Sex
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This one might throw you for a loop, and if so, I totally get it. Yet no, you ARE NOT supposed to urinate prior to having sex.
According to many medical professionals, you actually should wait until after having sex before going to the bathroom. The reason why is that the more urine that you have stored up in your vagina, the easier it will be for the acid in it to push out any bacteria that intercourse may have pushed up further into your vaginal region — the kind that could potentially lead to a nasty urinary tract infection (UTI).
I mean, if you’ve gotta go (before), you gotta go. All I’m saying is, if you’ve been making it a rule of thumb for your sex life, you’re ultimately doing yourself more harm than good. The more you know.
12. Have Your Own Condom Collection
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Recently, I was having a conversation with two guys in their 20s about how they would rather pull out and go through pregnancy scares from time to time than wear a condom. SMDH. And before you chalk them up to being the exception and not the rule, it can’t be said enough that, reportedly, only one-third of men and one-quarter of women use condoms. This isn’t only irritating but triggering to know, considering the fact that an estimated (and whopping) one million new STD diagnoses are handed out worldwide on a daily basis — and many of them are asymptomatic (the only time I got an STD, chlamydia was dormant in my system for almost two years; a bout of mono and strep throat “woke it up”…no joke!).
This is one of the many (MANY) reasons why only mentally and emotionally mature people should have sex because, being willing to intentionally put you and another person’s health at risk and/or experience an unwanted pregnancy, just because you want an “amplified sensation,” is not a good enough reason to forego rubbers. That’s why you shouldn’t rely on the guy to wrap it up; have your own condom stash on hand too.
Not just to prevent infections or pregnancy but to also keep your vaginal irritations down. If you happen to not be a fan of latex and would prefer to go with an alternative like polyurethane, polyisoprene, or even the female condom; Undercover Condoms is a site that has a wide variety of affordable prophylactics that will be mailed out to you quickly and discreetly, by the way…you’re welcome.
BONUS: Look Into Vaginal Plumping
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Finally, if you want to get more adventurous when it comes to sex, yet a part of what’s holding you back is not feeling as confident about how your vagina looks, first read “Did You Know That There Are 10 Different Kinds Of Vaginas? Yep” and then do some research on a process that’s known to some as vagina plumping and to others as labia puffing. Long story short, it’s a non-surgical procedure that consists of derma fillers being injected into your vaginal lips so that they appear fuller and more youthful-looking.
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There you have it, y’all — ways that your vagina can get prepared for one of the best activities that life has to offer. Have fun!
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Different puzzle pieces are creating bigger pictures these days. 2024 will mark a milestone on a few different levels, including the release of my third book next June (yay!).
I am also a Professional Certified Coach. My main mission for attaining that particular goal is to use my formal credentials to help people navigate through the sometimes tumultuous waters, both on and offline, when it comes to information about marriage, sex and relationships that is oftentimes misinformation (because "coach" is a word that gets thrown around a lot, oftentimes quite poorly).
I am also still super devoted to helping to bring life into this world as a doula, marriage life coaching will always be my first love (next to writing, of course), a platform that advocates for good Black men is currently in the works and my keystrokes continue to be devoted to HEALTHY over HAPPY in the areas of holistic intimacy, spiritual evolution, purpose manifestation and self-love...because maturity teaches that it's impossible to be happy all of the time when it comes to reaching goals yet healthy is a choice that can be made on a daily basis (amen?).
If you have any PERSONAL QUESTIONS (please do not contact me with any story pitches; that is an *editorial* need), feel free to reach out at missnosipho@gmail.com. A sistah will certainly do what she can. ;)
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Russell and Nina Westbrook Dish On The Key Ways To Avoid Resentment In Relationships
Russell and Nina Westbrook are one of those low-key, unproblematic couples we don’t talk about enough. They met in college and got married in 2015. They also have a beautiful family with three kids. While Russell is an NBA star, Nina is a licensed family and marriage therapist and a mental health advocate.
She recently launched the podcast The Relationship Chronicles with Nina Westbrook, and in the latest episode, she had none other than her husband on as a guest. The college sweethearts dived into important topics from marriage to children and how they navigate it all.
One of the topics they touched on was dealing with resentment in your relationship. The former MVP highlighted the sacrifices his wife has had to make in order for him to pursue a career in the NBA, and that’s why it’s also important for him to support his wife whenever he can.
“For me is respecting and understanding what your partner do and the time it takes,” Russell said. “Not kind of downplaying what they do, understanding the time and energy and effort they're doing to make sure whether it’s their job or making sure home is taken care of, and understanding that, I think that is the challenge of not being resentful.”
Nina agreed and also shared her thoughts on resentment. According to her, one of the best things couples should do is have their own identity and passions outside of the relationship in an effort to be fulfilled.
“I also think that when you’re in a relationship, that’s why it’s so important that each individual kinda pursue their own passions and follow their own dreams as I feel like it only becomes or leads to resentment when one person is not feeling fulfilled in what they're doing in their lives,” she explained.
“And so, they will start to look at the other partner who’s happy or excelling or promoting or moving along in their journey, then they’re left feeling stuck like they sacrificed themselves, their happiness, their career, their future and have not pursued it in the name of the relationship or their partner. So, it’s so much easier to avoid those feelings of resentment when you’re each equally pursuing your passions.”
The couple has many passions that they work on together and separately. Outside of basketball and his family, Russell has become known for his eclectic style and started the fashion brand Honor The Gift. Nina has her podcast, and she also started the mental health website Bene. Together, they run the Why Not? Foundation, which works with kids in underserved communities.
“I’m a firm believer that one person can’t be everything to you, so you have to sort of seek out those different friendships or groups or hobbies or activities that help to fulfill you,” Nina concluded.
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