Part 2: How to Choose Your Intimate Lubricant?

OIL-BASED: FOR MEN ESPECIALLY

Finally, the oil-based lubricant is recommended for men during anal sex or for masturbation. During vaginal intercourse, its use can create risks of infections, and it is not at all compatible with condoms (risk of tears). It is, therefore, less practical and less used than the other two.

NATURAL SOLUTIONS

In terms of ingredients, it is better to avoid products containing paraben, a potential endocrine disruptor used for its antibacterial properties, which would disrupt the hormonal and reproductive system. There are also "organic" certified lubricants, mainly using Aloe Vera from the Aloe plant, linseed oil or vegetable propylene glycol.

And saliva in all this? Because it is largely water and its pH is close to neutral, saliva is a free and always available natural lubricant. However, like water-based lubricants, saliva dries quickly and therefore requires regular applications. Avoid if you or your partner have had a cold sore because this virus transmitted by saliva can cause genital herpes.

When the lubricant is not enough

Sometimes, these adult toys are not enough to deal with vaginal dryness. In this case, the best is still to consult his gynecologist, who will propose a solution tailored to the needs and desires of each woman.

In addition to the traditional hormonal treatments of menopause, which provide women with estrogen they no longer manufacture, there are other more natural approaches to overcome the problem in the long term.

Among them, the application of estrogen locally as a capsule or cream to insert into the vagina is "a treatment that will relax the vaginal lining again" and promote natural lubrication, according to Dr. Elia. This type of treatment applies over time, three times a week for a month, for example, to renew if necessary.

And for those who do not want estrogen treatment or for whom it is not recommended (for example in the case of breast cancer, cured or in the course of treatment), the gynecologist can propose infiltrations to the hyaluronic acid, injected into the vaginal wall under local anesthesia. "This will help regenerate the elastic fibers and blood vessels, and thus improve the hydration of the vaginal mucosa," says Dr. Elia. This operation must, however, be repeated every 12 months on average.

Finally, the laser technique, already applied against the aging of the skin, could be democratized in the years to come. It consists of applying a laser to the vaginal walls, to force the vagina to resume manufacturing elastic fibers and therefore water for lubrication. This technique seduces more and more because it is devoid of hormones and is completely painless.

Small downside: these last two techniques devoid of hormones are not yet reimbursed by the Social Security. In any case, the intimate lubricant remains the simplest effective method to help penetrate during sex.

Part 1: How to Choose Your Intimate Lubricant?

Generally used to counteract vaginal dryness, intimate lubricants are a kind of sex toys that allow for more pleasant and painless intercourse. But faced with all the products that exist, we are often a little lost. How to choose your intimate lubricant?

Whether for a vaginal dryness or for a purely "recreational" use, the use of intimate lubricant gives rise to reports more pleasant and less painful. Many products exist in pharmacy or supermarkets. But how to choose? Which product to favor, for which use?

Why use an intimate lubricant?

"Vaginal lubrication is a natural process that is born of desire," explains Dr. David Elia, a gynecologist. "When the woman is sexually excited, the walls of the vagina will" sweat "and give vaginal lubrication made of water to a large extent. "

But sometimes, the lubrication does not occur in sufficient quantities: "All situations that make this wall is unable to transpire, to give this water from the blood vessels, will lead to insufficient lubrication. Since she is born under desire, she can not come to order, just like the erection in man, "adds Dr. Elia.

This phenomenon of vaginal dryness usually occurs during menopause in mature women, or when the young woman has vaginal mycosis, which produces discomfort. Lack of lubrication can also be psychological if the woman does not have enough desire or is afraid of pain. It is estrogen that mainly induces this natural lubrication, which is why women whose ovaries do not work (menopause, breastfeeding, ...) have drought problems during intercourse.

"Basically, the addition of intimate lubricant is essential for a harmonious, painless and pleasant sexual intercourse, and to optimize the ratio by an orgasm. It is also necessary when the report is done with a condom, "says the gynecologist. "Without this adult toys, the report will be uncomfortable or even painful and may lead to bleeding. "

The different types of lubricants, advantages, and disadvantages

There are three types of lubricants available in pharmacies and in supermarkets: water-based lubricants, silicone-based lubricants or oil-based lubricants. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages and its ideal use.

WATER-BASED: THE MOST PRACTICAL

Water-based lubricants are the most commonly used and are the most popular ones for gynecologists. They are easy to clean, do not stain, do not stick and can be safely used with adult sex toys or condoms. There is a wide range for medical or recreational use: odorless and colorless, scented, edible, heating effect, stimulator or orgasm retarder. Negative point: Water-based lubricants cannot be used in water because they dissolve completely. It must also sometimes repeat the application because they dry quickly. In addition to water, some contain glycerol as well as synthetic or vegetable propylene glycol, which maintains hydration and slippery texture.

SILICONE BASED: THE MOST LUBRICATING

If you want a good-looking, water-resistant lubricant, opt for a silicone-based lubricant that keeps the texture of the product slippery, even under water. Its lubricity is five times higher on average than water-based products. However, this type of lubricant is not compatible with silicone sex toys, and can even damage them. And even if it is not dangerous, this type of lubricant is not recommended for oral sex, especially since it can leave a bad taste in the mouth. An astringent soap is also needed to get rid of the silicone-based lubricant, which is a product that stains. It most often contains dimethicone, dimethiconol, and Cyclomethicone.