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If you have thought that lubricants are only for people whose bodies can’t naturally produce lubrication, let us tell you that everyone can use them. So, even if your body is functioning well on its own without any help, you might be missing out on a whole load of extra pleasure without knowing it.
People who use lube have better sex. Not only does it help with penetration, but it can also enhance external play for a more enjoyable experience. So, what’s not to love? If you’re new to the world of lubricants, the following guide covers everything you need to know about choosing the right product for your preferences.
Why Use Lube?
With that being said, make your sexual acts more pleasurable with satin-smooth personal lubes. Even those individuals with plenty of natural lubrication may choose to incorporate additional products into their sexual activities for added pleasure and heightened sensations.
During intercourse, almost half of post-menopausal women report feeling more uncomfortable and drier in their vagina. Because of the drop in oestrogen levels following menopause, the genitourinary area (which includes the vulva and vagina) may atrophy and alter.
These tissues become thinner, less flexible, receive less blood flow, and generate less natural vaginal secretions when oestrogen levels are lower. When vaginal dryness is present, using a lube can assist lessen the discomfort of intercourse; nevertheless, it cannot stop the underlying issue of vaginal tissue atrophy.
Vaginal dryness, on the other hand, is a condition that certain people may have, which can cause pain or discomfort during sexual activity. Each individual is unique. Vaginal dryness is also frequently experienced by those who are nursing, taking medicine (such as antihistamines and antidepressants), have had breast cancer, or have Sjogren’s syndrome. All these are instances where a lubricant can be quite useful.
List of Things to Consider When Picking the Right One
When picking the right personal lubes, there is a list of things to consider to make the best selection possible since there is a wide range of options available.
Types
A water-based lubricant is the safest bet for novices. It may satisfy all of your erotic desires, including penetrating sex, masturbating, and playing with sex toys. Water-based lubricants work well with condoms and sex toys and are also perfect for those with sensitive skin or vaginal discomfort.
These personal lubricants also leave no stains and are quite simple to remove from garments and linens. Keep in mind though that these are useless for shower sex or water play because they will just wash off. Water-based lubricants also require frequent reapplication due to their tendency to become sticky.
Long-lasting, slick, and perfect for longer sessions the silicone-based lubricant has to be reapplied less frequently and with less amount. Because silicone-based lubricants don’t wash off as quickly, they’re also excellent for shower sex and masturbation.
The drawback of silicone-based lubes is that they require soap and water to clean up afterwards, making them a little more difficult to remove. They can stain your sheets or cause discolouration in your hardwood floors, so be careful handling these products.
Also, it is not recommended to use silicone-based lubricants with silicone-based sex toys since they will eventually cause the rubber to break down. That being said, not all sex toys that use silicone-based lubricants are prohibited; many other toys are composed of different materials, such as steel, glass, and hard plastic.
Longer-lasting slickness is another benefit of an oil-based lubricant over a water-based one. These lubricants are perfect for water play, penetrating unprotected intercourse, and hand or toy masturbation. Sensual massages can also be performed with lubricants based on oil.
Oil-based lube options (or any other oil-based items, such as mineral oil or petroleum jelly) shouldn’t be used with latex condoms since they can dissolve the latex and break the condoms. You should avoid using oil-based lubricants with rubber diaphragms and latex sex toys. Check the packaging before using non-latex condoms such as those made of polyisoprene), as they are also susceptible to oil-based personal lubricants.
What About Anal Sex?
Anal intercourse requires the use of personal lubrication because the anal canal does not produce fluids that facilitate penetration. In addition, the vagina, which is full of folds and flexible tissue, provides far less resistance than the tight muscular sphincter at the entrance of the anus.
Anal intercourse can also be safer when a personal lubricant is used. In contrast to saliva or oil-based lubricants, which both raise the risk of condom breaking during sex, using a water-based lubricant reduces the likelihood of condom breaking during anal intercourse. Lubrication has an impact on the likelihood of the condom coming off during anal intercourse as well. The likelihood of slippage can be reduced by lubricating the exterior and the interior of the condom, respectively.
Additional Factors to Consider When Buying
You never know how you’ll react to additives, so in general, stay away from lubricants that contain artificial flavours, colours, sweeteners, essential oils, or glycerine. Features, like “warming” or “tingling,” can be more intimidating than you might anticipate, especially if this is your first time using a personal lubricant. Furthermore, a product’s “natural” claim does not always imply that it is your best option. For that reason, check the ingredients list, read product reviews, or go to a sex toy shop and ask the experts there.
