THIS Common Hygiene Habit Could Ruin Your Sex Life
Could you or your partner's hygiene habits be ruining your sex life? As Sexual Health Week (16th - 22nd September) approaches and given that one in ten people have ended relationships over lack of cleanliness, new insights from shower enclosure specialists Showers to You have revealed the surprising hygiene habits that could be impacting your sex life.1
The hygiene habits that could be ruining your sex life
Leaving the toilet seat up might seem like a minor annoyance, but it can create significant tension in relationships, with consequences that extend into the bedroom. Shower enclosure specialists Showers to You shed light on how this common hygiene habit might be affecting your sex life:
Leaving the toilet seat up
“When one partner consistently leaves the toilet seat up, it can symbolise deeper issues in the relationship, such as a lack of consideration or respect. This behaviour often reflects a dynamic known as "weaponized incompetence”. Weaponized incompetence looks like this: the rejection of sharing household chores because they are ‘unable’ to learn or perform them. This ongoing strain can erode intimacy and sexual connection.
As well as this, the sight of an unclean bathroom—such as stray hairs or urine left on the toilet—can be a significant turn-off, making a partner feel that their shared space is unhygienic. This perception of neglect can further diminish physical attraction and sexual desire, compounding the emotional distance between partners. Over time, this can create a cycle where unresolved household frustrations spill over into the bedroom, making it difficult for couples to maintain a healthy and satisfying sex life.”
Sexual attraction varies from person to person. It might surprise you that your partner’s appearance might not be the most libido-raising thing about them. Rather, experts reveal the power of smell in physical intimacy:
Body odour
“Women tend to rely on olfactory cues more than men, meaning they put a lot of value on a good-smelling partner. More than that, smelling good is one of the biggest turn-ons for both men and women, boosting the important attraction chemicals in our bodies, pheromones. On the other hand, poor hygiene habits—such as not bathing regularly—can have the opposite effect, significantly diminishing sexual attractiveness and creating a barrier to intimacy in relationships.
While research on pheromones is still developing, we know that humans detect them through smell. While pheromone-infused products are popular, nothing can replace the fundamental impact of regular hygiene practices.
Daily habits like showering daily, deodorising, and brushing teeth are essential in maintaining a natural and appealing scent, laying the foundation for strong physical attraction and a healthier sex life.”
Body grooming and shaving
“Hair on the body, particularly in areas like the underarms and groin, can trap sweat, oils, and bacteria, which can contribute to body odour. When sweat mixes with the natural bacteria on the skin and is absorbed by body hair, it creates an environment where odour-causing bacteria thrive. This is why good hygiene practices, such as regular washing and grooming, are important for managing body odour.
Unpleasant smells and lack of cleanliness in intimate areas may decrease sexual attraction and comfort between partners, potentially leading to reduced sexual desire and intimacy. Maintaining good hygiene and grooming habits can enhance confidence and improve the overall sexual experience by creating a more inviting and comfortable environment for both partners.”
Bad breath and over-brushing
“Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is paramount to ensure adequate oral hygiene. Failure to do so can lead to discomfort, distraction, and disturbance to people around you, particularly a sexual partner. However, a surprising caveat to ensuring good oral hygiene is to not overdo it, and be wary of when you brush your teeth.
Brushing your teeth will often create minuscule cuts in your gums that are open to millions of bacteria. The risk of serious bacterial infection in our gums increases exponentially if one engages in oral sex up to two hours after brushing teeth. This is because the genital microbiome contains lots of bacteria to keep it hygienic, but can pose a threat to oral hygiene and negatively impact future experiences with oral sex.”
Dirty fingernails
“Bacteria thrives underneath our fingernails - this is a key reason healthcare workers have strict rules on their fingernails: they must be regularly cut, unpolished, and absolutely no acrylics or fake nails. The style of our nails must not prevent our ability to effectively wash our hands.
We use our hands to work, cook, and have sex. If our hands and nails aren't washed properly, it puts the health of our partner at risk. Although uncommon, even sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia have been known to transmit via dirty fingernails, so don’t underestimate the likelihood of passing on common bacterial infections to your sexual partner from unmaintained nails.”
