Life

This Is The Most Common Thing People Do Right Before Sex, According To A New Survey

by Lea Rose Emery
BDG Media, Inc.

Sex is rarely about just sex. It often involves flirting, the build up beforehand, the pillow talk afterwards. But for some people, there are far more practical elements that go into sex, rather than just building a connection with the other person and anticipation of the act to come. For some, it's downright practical — and that's where a pre-sex routine comes in. According to a recent survey conducted by OnePoll in conjunction with Pure Romance, the online retailer, pre-sex rituals are very much a thing.

Pure Romance's survey of 2,000 Americans found that 38 percent of people have a pre-sex routine, a set of behaviors that they stick to every time they they're going to get down. But maybe it's not a surprise because, for some people, routines are really comforting.

"You know what they say: If it’s not broke, don’t fix it," Patty Brisben, founder of Pure Romance, tells Bustle. "Routines can make people feel comfortable, and if they had a great sexual experience with certain pre- and post-activities, then we think it's likely they will repeat the same rituals. With all the effort people go to in order to look their best and please their partner, it makes sense that they'll stick to a routine that works in hopes of having many more positive times in the bedroom."

In fact, 64 percent of respondents said the point of the routine was to make them feel more confident and enjoy the sex more, so maybe they just need it to get their head in the game.

But what is it that people turn to? Well, some people followed a hygeine routine, while for others it was more of a romantic affair. Here's what the survey found.

1Take A Shower

rh2010/Fotolia

The number one pre-sex ritual? Showers! Doing it every time may be a bit disruptive. But, if it works for you, why fight it?

2Brush Teeth

Next up was brushing your teeth. Another activity that may not happen every time, but is certainly a good one.

3Go To The Bathroom

Andrew Zaeh for Bustle

Not only is trying to have sex with a full bladder really distracting, going to the bathroom before sex is super important in preventing UTIs.

4Shave

If they mean shaving the day of or a few hours before, fine. But if you stop midway through a make out session to rev up your electric razor, that might not go over well.

5Use Mouthwash

Fast and efficient, it's easy to see why mouthwash would be a good choice before sex.

6Put On Clean Underwear

Ashley Batz/Bustle

BUT YOU'RE JUST GOING TO TAKE IT OFF AGAIN. Surely. Surely? Isn't that what happens?

7Change The Bed Sheets

Is this how you know you're an adult?

8Put On Lingerie

Andrew Zaeh for Bustle

It's not everyone's thing, but it's really empowering for some people.

9Floss

Nothing is more romantic than removing that bit of popcorn that your tongue has been playing with for the past 11 hours. True love.

10Light A Candle

In between the bodily functions and shaving, we've got a little mood lighting making an appearance.

It's really easy to see why some people would like a routine to help them relax and get in the mood and, if that works for you, stick with what's good. You may not be pulling your razor out on a nightly basis any time soon, but hey — live and let live.