One of the most common problems for women with sex is pain, or dyspareunia. This can be caused for many reasons including active infection, scaring, changes due to child birth, pressure from obstruction (like from a full bladder), position (for example direct contact with the cervix in sex can sometimes be painful), vaginal thinning, atrophy, and lack of lubrication.
Lubricant is a great solution to some of these areas. Vaginal dryness has happened to us all, from hormones, to stress, to aging, to just being dehydrated (a night out of several adult beverages)… etc. and is sometimes not discussed by partners. I have anecdotally found that men have trouble discussing these things more than women and perhaps is linked to their own feelings of inadequacy… another topic entirely.
But women… if you want to be having good, satisfying, and frequent sex lubricant is something you need to know and invest in.
Benefits
- Lubrication (the obvious)
- Less friction and irritation
- Decreased pain
- Makes manual touching more enjoyable
- Helps prevent condom breakage
Cautions (some ingredients can cause…)
- Irritation or Burning
- Increased risk of yeast infections or bacterial vaginitis (probably from changing vaginal pH)
- Development of a new allergy
- Bladder infection
- Pelvic pain
- (Extreme cases) – Cell damage or fertility problems
- Cause latex breakdown in some cases (non water based)
Composition
Lubricants are basically made up of a base compound and then what ever additives or flavorings are desired, everything from flavor or color to mechanisms to create a sensation of temperature change. Base compounds are typically an oil, silicone, or water-soluble.
Base compounds: Typically water soluble is best, but does not last as long as silicone and can come with preservatives in it that irritate (like propylene glycol or glycerine). Silicone breaks down condoms and because it lasts longer can cause irritation in some sensitive persons, but it typically has zero preservatives! A bonus. Silicone based lubricant also will break down your bedroom toys that are plastic or latex based. However, silicone works very well in many women because it lasts longer and does not carry the preservatives that water-soluble based lubricant does.
Petroleum based lubricants are thicker, carrying an increased risk for infections both vaginally and on other items used during sex. Due to its thickness it makes things difficult to properly clean, causing a transfer of bacteria.
Avoid:
- Propylene Glycol (also used as a warming agent)
- Glycerin or Glycerol (sugar-like preservative that can change vaginal pH)
- Alcohols
- Acetate
- Flavors or temperature changing agents
- Spermicide like Nalaxone-9 (Unless you really need a spermicide + condom combination… often recommended for those who cannot take hormone contraception.)
- Any acids or cleaning ingredients like chlorhexidine
Look for:
- Aloe – can be soothing in some, but limit other preservatives with this
- Paraben free
- Preservative free (note storage recommendations)
Lavender Buddha 