What Does it Mean to Give Sexual Aftercare?
What do you do after having a sexual encounter? Do you always do the same thing? Does it change based on who your partner is? Let’s start by answering the basics...
What is Sexual Aftercare?
“Aftercare is a concept that originated in the BDSM community, and it generally refers to the things you do to make sure everyone is okay and taken care of after sex play. However, aftercare can be anything that you and your sexual partner(s) need after the encounter.”
What does it mean to give sexual aftercare?
To give sexual aftercare means to create an environment where you and your partner feel safe after having a sexual encounter. What can this look like:
Cuddling
Having something to eat/drink
Talking about what felt nice, what you both may be open to trying or what’s a definite no
Emotional regrounding
Stepping out and letting each other have a moment on their own
Wash yourself
Anything else that comes to your mind and feels good
There’s only one way to curate the sexual aftercare you experience: Ask your partner what they like and let them know what you like.
Sexual aftercare can make sex feel safer as it helps manage the different feelings that can occur after a sexual encounter, like Kink Drop and Postcoital Dysphoria (PCD).
Aftercare is a great way to manage anxiety and other unpleasant feelings. It can also be a fantastic way to create new connections with your partner(s) and build a safe sexual environment.
Dig into this subject by watching our interview with Dr. Lexx Brown James.
