There seems to be an incorrect assumption that younger women do not need to use lubrication, and if they do, they have a problem. People use a variety of weird substances as lubricants, but the right kind can make a huge difference
There are many reasons why people don’t want sex, including feeling tired, discomfort, pain, lack of arousal, or that it just doesn’t feel very pleasurable.
From buying the most expensive, all-singing, all-dancing sex toy to swinging from the ceiling whilst dressed as Wonder Woman, people experiment with the most bizarre treatments and devices to improve their sex lives.
Owning a sex toy company, you may be surprised that the best product we have found that customers say make sex better is a lubricant. This one simple, inexpensive addition to your sex life can transform it. Mention the word ‘lubricant’ sexually, and most people think of older women experiencing vaginal dryness during the menopause (as a result of a decrease in estrogen). Still, sexual lubricants can benefit both men and women, whatever their age.
The myth that lubricants are only needed for “fixing” a sexual problem needs to be dispelled. Many women, young or old, suffer from vaginal dryness during their lives but are too embarrassed to discuss the problem or seek help.
Sadly, there seems to be an incorrect assumption through social and mainstream media that younger women do not need to use vaginal lubrication as they should always be wet, and if they aren’t, they have a problem.
Levels of vaginal secretions vary between women and can be affected by:
- Stress, anxiety and relationship issues
- Hormonal changes due to contraception, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menstruation
- Medical conditions such as diabetes, side effects of chemotherapy, full hysterectomy or immune disorders
- Medications – contraceptive pill, anti-depressants, and allergy medications
- Chemical products – washing powders, harsh soaps, feminine sprays or douches, and perfumed toilet roll
- Lack of foreplay – women need more stimulation than men do
A 2013 study of 2,451 women aged between 18-68 found that overall, women felt optimistic about lubricants, preferring sex to feel wetter than not. 9 out of 10 women felt that sex was more comfortable, pleasurable, and better when using lubrication.
It can also make sex feel pleasurable for men too. Having a well-lubricated penis not only enhances pleasure but also prevents damage or abrasion to the delicate tissues of the vagina and penis. It can also help make sexual intercourse last longer if it feels good.
Older men also face challenges in the form of erection and arousal problems. Requiring more prolonged genital arousal to gain erections and be turned on, lubrication can intensify pleasure, helping to make erections last longer.
By using lubricants during foreplay or when you are unable to have penetrative sex, you can increase pleasure and heighten arousal.
What lubricant should you use?
We recommend using a sexual lubricant with our sex toys and often hear about a varied and strange variety of substances that people use as lubricants, from butter and margarine, to hand cream, vegetable and massage oils, baby oil, petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and saliva.
Many people don’t consider what these products may contain, which can cause irritation, allergies, or thrush.
Many couples use saliva as their lubricant, but it is more watery than slippery and dries out quickly.
You need to consider what type of lubricant you want to use as some lubricants, which create tingling sensations or are dyed, can cause allergic reactions or irritation. There is nothing worse than a burning vagina or penis.
Some lubricants come in tubes and applicators, making it easier to apply precisely where you want it to go. And a final tip – squirt a small amount in your hand to warm it up first, rather than applying it directly onto the genitals.
Petroleum-based. It’s best to avoid lubricants such as Vaseline and baby oil. Don’t use them inside the vagina; they change vaginal chemistry, increasing the risk of infection. Petroleum-based lubes should never be ingested, and they may stain bed linens. Finally, these lubricants dissolve latex: Never use them with a condom or diaphragm.
Water-Based Sex Lubricant
Water-based lubricants
Water-based lubricants are the most versatile of all the lubricant types as they are safe for all sexual activities, even for use with silicone sex toys. These are the most popular choice of lubricant, inexpensive, non-staining, and many can be ingested in small amounts during sex. They are also safe to use with latex condoms and diaphragms.
Many women like YES water-based lubricants because they feel more like their natural vaginal lubrication. YES is also absorbed into the tissues of the vagina, helping to nourish and keep them flexible.
Water-based lubricants also have the added benefit of being incredibly easy to wash off after use, leaving your skin clean, silky smooth, and free of any residue. If they do dry out, you can add a little more or reactivate them with water.
