The Ex Outlet

Break-up sex. Ahh, yes. It’s heavier, hotter, and generally better than any sex you had in the month leading up to your break-up. At least, it is the first time. Emotions are running high, you are uninhibited with your ex, and it leaves you wanting more. But how much more?

When ex-sex becomes a part of your regular diet, it can quickly go from heavy and delicious to something that causes severe heartburn. How do you protect your body and your heart from indigestion? Here are a few simple guidelines:

1. If you are serious about moving on, keep break-up sex exactly what it should be. ONE last time around with your ex. This will make both of your lives a lot less complicated. Possibly slightly and temporarily less sexually gratifying, but definitely less complicated.

2. If ex-sex is becoming habitual, communication needs to be clear. Are one or both of you hoping for or expecting a reconciliation? Heartbreak has already happened once; do you really want it to happen again? Don’t avoid having this conversation because you are afraid of losing your ex or the sex. If you aren’t both on the same page about where this ex-sex is leading, it is most likely leading to more heartache.

3. Use protection. When you were in the comfort of your relationship, this might not have been a big concern. There was monogamy (hopefully), trust (hopefully), and birth control (thankfully). Now you don’t know how your ex has been mending his or her broken heart and it is not uncommon for people to mend it in the bedrooms of others. Even if you ask and they say they haven’t been with anyone, still use protection. They might lie in order to protect your feelings. Nothing is more unappetizing than an STD served coldly from your ex.

Remember these guidelines when your ex asks to come pick up their box of things they left in your apartment. But more importantly, remember eventually you will move on and ex-sex will not be on your plate at all.