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How to choose your vaginal lubricant

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on
vaginal lubricant

Just as not all women are the same, neither are all lubricants, to the point that they exist based on water, oils, paste, and different flavors. For this reason, within such a variety, it is essential to know how to choose the lubricant ideal vaginal for us. This product helps make the sexual encounter more pleasant for women who do not lubricate so quickly. Still, it also represents an essential tool to treat the dryness of the walls of the vagina during menopause.

Although many people consider that the lubricant is exclusive for the stimulation of the anus before anal sex, the primary function of this assistant is to allow women who do not produce enough natural fat to enjoy sex without the need to feel discomfort or pain during the penetration. For this reason, if you are looking for a vaginal lubricant to enjoy your sexual relations more, keep reading this FastlyHealarticle, where we give you some tips to choose the best one.

When is it necessary to use a vaginal lubricant

When the woman is aroused, an accumulation of blood occurs in the vaginal walls that stimulates the glands to secrete a natural and transparent liquid. This process is carried out correctly when a woman’s body produces average amounts of the hormone estrogen, which means that any woman who has less estrogen than average will experience vaginal dryness regardless of age.

Vaginal dryness is nothing more than the absence or negligible amount of natural lubrication on the vaginal walls. This dryness is usually most acute during menopause when the body suppresses the production of female hormones. Also, low output of estrogens can cause vaginitis inflammation of the vagina, which is painful and very unpleasant when having sex. Fortunately, vaginal lubricant can be the perfect substitute for our intimate area’s lubrication during sex and menopause. Other causes of vaginal dryness that make the use of this helper necessary are:

  • After pregnancy, hormonal changes can affect vaginal moisture.
  • Stress can lower libido and affect blood circulation: both aspects impede regular, natural lubrication.
  • Diseases like diabetes or treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause vaginal dryness.
  • Antidepressants and hormonal medicines to treat menopause also affect the natural lubrication of the vagina.

Benefits of using a vaginal lubricant

  • The vaginal lubricant, by increasing the humidity of the intimate area during the sexual act, allows the woman to feel more deeply the caresses and the excitement, increasing the pleasure before and during the penetration.
  • By increasing vaginal lubrication, these products help prevent the condom from breaking or slipping off, as it will slide easily into the vagina.
  • Vaginal lubricant enhances pleasure during masturbation because when the walls of the vagina are highly lubricated, sensory perception increases considerably.
  • The vaginal oil can also stimulate the anus before starting anal sex.
  • Women with menopause also use a vaginal lubricant to reduce symptoms such as burning or irritation caused by decreased production of female hormones.

vaginal lubricant

Types of vaginal lubricants

The range of vaginal lubricants is extensive, so you must know the types of oils and their interaction with some contraceptive methods to choose the best for you. Let’s get started!

Water-based lubricant

Among the types of lubricants, this is the most used since it does not stain and is considered safe to be used with a condom. These lubricants often come in presentations with different flavors and aromas, an aspect that is not so beneficial for vaginal health since it can alter the pH and cause a fungal infection such as candidiasis. I prefer a water-based lubricant with no aroma or flavor.

Oil-based vaginal lubricant

They are generally made from natural fatty ingredients such as corn, olive oil, or others derived from plants or grains. These lubricants, being oily, generate a significant pleasure at the time of sex; however, they can leave stains that are difficult to remove. Oil-based lubricants are not recommended for latex birth control methods like a condom or a female diaphragm.

Silicone-based lubricants

They are more durable than water-based lubricants and are much denser, making it easier for the male member to slide more easily inside the vagina. It is precisely for this quality that this type of lubricant is recommended for initiation into anal sex. Due to their silicone content, they are more difficult to remove. Also, using this type of lubricant when using a condom or sex toys is not recommended, as it can wear them down.

Tips for choosing a vaginal lubricant

The trick to choosing a vaginal lubricant is to identify which of its presentations is what your body needs according to the use you want to give it. For this reason, we offer you a guide to the different forms of lubricants that you will find on the market and when you should use them. You want to know how to choose a vaginal lubricant: here we explain it!

Gel lubricant

The gel lubricants that are recommended are those that have a pH not higher than 5, that is, as similar as possible to the vaginal pH because, in this way, it will not alter the bacterial flora of your intimate area or stimulate the proliferation of microorganisms that may cause infection or irritation.

Although water-based lubricants are the most used by women, remember to prefer those that do not contain sugar, especially if it is a flavored lubricant, since this additive facilitates the feeding of fungi and bacteria. Also, avoid buying scented oils as they can irritate your intimate area.

Recommended lubricants if you use condoms

As we mentioned before, latex can be a very resistant material. Still, it can be worn or deteriorated by oil, silicone, or any other ingredient that is not water and can penetrate the barrier. For this reason, if your contraceptive method is the condom or female diaphragms, avoid any lubricant that is not water-based. This type is the only one that guarantees that you will not run any risk and that the latex will remain intact during the sexual act.

Menopause lubricant

When the goal is to lubricate the vagina to reduce irritation or burning caused by acute vaginal dryness due to lack of estrogens in women, the ideal is to favor oil-based or silicone-based lubricants since These offer more watery lubrication that will easily lessen the dryness on the vaginal walls and offer relief from discomfort.

If, on the other hand, you have menopause, but you want to use the product so as not to feel pain during sexual intercourse or to increase sensory perception, it is best to choose water-based lubricant and gel, which will help the vagina to be prepared for the act in addition to being able to use them with erotic toys and for oral sex. Remember to prefer them without perfumes or flavors.

Recommended lubricants for anal sex

Although any lubricant can be used for anal sex, silicone ones have a better effect due to the dense quality in the area to be penetrated. However, remember that silicone-based lubricants cannot be used with a condom or sex toys.

Tips on vaginal lubricant

Do not buy it in a sex shop.

Usually, when the word lubricant comes to mind, we think of sex and a sex shop. We find a wide variety of fats in these stores, yes, but many of them do not have the necessary tests to be approved by health or the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore their ingredients or preparation are not entirely safe.

For this reason, it is best to buy your lubricant in a pharmacy, where you will only find products made by recognized and scientifically endorsed laboratories. If you have doubts or do not know famous brands of lubricants, do not hesitate to ask the pharmacist for help to guide you in your search and show you the variety of products they have in stock.

Consult with your doctor

Before buying the brand vaginal lubricant:

  1. Make an appointment with your gynecologist and tell him that you are interested in a little extra lubrication. Your doctor may have specific observations or recommendations based on your body and reproductive system.
  2. Therefore, do not use any product on the market or start trying lubricants without any criteria.
  3. Follow the guidance of your doctor.

Don’t use homemade lubricants.

Because there are oil-based lubricants, it does not mean that the oil you cook with is an excellent lubricant for your vagina. Many people even recommend using petroleum jelly as a vaginal lubricant when the oily consistency of this product deteriorates the latex and impairs the effectiveness of the condom. Bet on the safe side and buy a recommended, quality product that meets the characteristics you need.

This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to How to choose a vaginal lubricant, we recommend that you enter our Sexuality category.

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