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Lubrication enhances pleasure
Women may not lubricate for a variety of reasons
If you think that lubrication is only needed when sex is lukewarm, think again.
Lubricants are wonderful for enhancing sex by increasing wetness
and ensuring that body parts move together smoothly and pleasurably.
Some lubes also offer interesting flavours and hot sensations to
heighten pleasure.
During sex with a woman, her body usually provides natural lubrication
to reduce friction and ensure that there is no pain. While it’s
true that a woman may not lubricate if she isn’t turned on,
there are any number of reasons why this may occur, such as changes
in hormone levels, using the contraceptive Pill, a yeast infection
and stress.
Some women suffer a loss of libido from using high-progesterone
contraception.
Why use lubricants during sex?
If you need lube during lovemaking, it’s no indication that
you’re not hot for your partner – but a bit of help with
an artificial product can go a long way towards ensuring lovemaking
is a pleasurable affair. And when it comes to using sex toys, lubrication
should always be used so that the process is pleasurably smooth and
slippery, and safer for the body.
Every bedside drawer should have a lubricant or two to enrich
everyday sexual experience. They are handy for dry times, for when
your partner is too tired to engage in lengthy foreplay to get you
sufficiently aroused, for masturbation by hand, for a quickie when
the kids are about to wake up, and a definite must for anal play.
Types of lubricants
Lubricants vary widely in texture, taste and longevity. Some are
flavoured for oral play while others produce delicious hot or cold
sensations to heighten pleasure.
Most lubricants are water-based, including well
known brands such as Astroglide and Go Girl lubricant.
These versatile products can be used with almost any type of material,
including silicone and latex, and are easiest to clean up. They are
great for masturbation as well as internal and external use as they
are less of an irritant to the genitals than other types of lubes.
Water-based lubricants are best for the body as the body easily rids
itself of them. They can be used with condoms. The glycerine-free variety
is suitable for women who are prone to yeast infections, but they
may taste bitter.
On the down side, they are not as long-lasting as silicone lubricants
and are not suitable for sex in water. They can dry out fairly quickly
and leave more of a sticky residue than oil-based or silicone lubricants.
However, the addition of water to the area where the lube was applied
solves the problem.
How to use lubricants
Squeeze a small amount into the palm of your hand and allow it to
warm up slightly.
How much lubricant you use is a personal preference but generally,
enough should be applied to allow the desired object to slide in
smoothly.
If playing solo, spread lube over your toy and yourself, ensuring
that the head and shaft of your vibrator or dildo is well lubricated.
Lubricate any other stimulators on your toy, including clitoris ticklers.
Your toy should be nice and slick but not dripping with lube. Add
more lube if you become dry.
Water-based lubes with glycerine
last longer and are better for anal play than glycerine-free products.
Women who suffer from yeast infections should avoid them, and they
are not recommended for use in water and may stain fabric. However, they are
suitable for sex toys, internal use and for penetration by finger/hand. They
also taste sweeter than the glycerine-free variety.
Water-based lubes are available as liquids, gels or creams, with
liquid lube the thinnest and gels the thickest texture. The thinner
liquid lubes, such as Man Slide,
most closely resemble the body’s natural lubrication. People’s
taste in lubricants varies greatly, however, with some preferring
creams. Thicker gels are advisable for anal play as they provide
stronger protection for the more sensitive anal area.
Oil-based lubricants are great for male masturbation as they
maintain their wet consistency for longer than water-based lubes. However,
in some women oil-based lubes may cause yeast infections. Nor are they compatible
with latex products, including condoms, or diaphragms and cervical caps made
of rubber. These oils destroy condoms in about 30 seconds of contact.
Silicone-based lubricants have an extra slippery texture and they last for a long time, which makes them great for playing with toys and
latex products. Only a few drops are usually needed. If they dry out, simply
add a little water or saliva.
Silicone consists of tiny glass beads and when they rub together – as
in silicone lube used with silicone toys – they scratch each
other. Silicone toys tear easily if they have even tiny nicks. Avoid
using silicone-based lubes with silicone, softskin or cyberskin toys
to avoid damage; alternatively, use condoms on these toys.
Silicone lubes are ideal for sex in water as they are waterproof. They are
suitable for use with condoms and are also very effective for anal
play as they are long lasting. They have no smell and almost no taste.
However, they are not as easy as some others to remove from the vagina
and should be cleaned up with warm water and soap. They also tend
to cost more than other lubes.
Flavoured lubricants are great fun to use externally, including for oral sex. Lubricants with glycerine, a natural sugar which is slippery, are not advisable
for women who tend to get yeast infections or people with genital sensitivity,
as they may alter the PH balance of some people.
Some lubricants are
made from natural ingredients. They may be free
of chemicals and sugar, while others offer 100% organic or vegan
ingredients. |
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