How to choose intimate lubricant to have more comfortable moments for two

It’s no secret to anyone: sex offers numerous health benefits for women and men, as well as being an important factor in strengthening the union between the couple.

“Sex improves self-esteem; reduces tension; relieves stress; improves blood circulation; it is good for the heart; helps to improve the relationship between two; strengthens the muscles of the pelvic region; helps strengthen the immune system against colds and flu; helps burn calories; it’s good for the skin; improves blood circulation; it releases pleasurable and relaxing sensations and is a natural pain reliever to relieve headaches”, highlights Keila Oliveira, psychologist, sexologist and sex therapist.

And it is precisely thinking about enjoying all these benefits and maximizing pleasure that many people rely on the help of intimate lubricants.

A 2009 Indiana University study, for example, found that women who used lubricants during sexual activity had more pleasurable and satisfying sex.

Keila Oliveira explains that intimate lubricant is normally used for sexual purposes when natural lubrication is deficient or non-existent. Its use reduces friction and prevents injuries or burning during the friction of the sexual act. With this, naturally, sex becomes more enjoyable for the couple.

However, it is true that the use of intimate lubricants still generates many doubts between men and women. What are the different types of products out there? How to choose a good intimate lubricant? These are just some of the doubts. But below you can find the answers to these and other questions on the subject.

Different types of intimate lubricants

Currently, there are several types of lubricants, according to the main substance used in their formulation. The main ones are:

• Water-based lubricants: they are hypoallergenic (do not cause allergies), do not react with condom latex, do not stain fabrics and are easy to find on sale. However, they are less thick than other intimate lubricants.
• Silicone-based lubricants: do not react with latex. However, cleaning it from the skin is more difficult (compared to cleaning water-based lubricants) and, in some people, the composition can cause allergies.
• Oil- or petroleum-based lubricants: These are thicker than water- and silicone-based lubricants. On the other hand, they are contraindicated, as they can react with the condom material and cause it to break. Currently, they are practically extinct from the market.

“Manufacturers of intimate lubricants today offer a diversified range of products with somewhat specific purposes. There are gels that heat up, that cools down, lubricants with analgesics, with different smells and tastes, etc.”, adds sexologist Keila.

When to use intimate lubricant?

The use of intimate lubricant is more indicated when natural lubrication is non-existent or inefficient. And there are several reasons for this absence or deficiency, as explained by sex therapist Keila. “In a woman, vaginal lubrication is equivalent to an erection in a man, it means she is aroused enough and ready for intercourse. However, there are some reasons why this lubrication is lacking or becomes insufficient. As a rule, it doesn’t mean she doesn’t feel like having sex,” she says.

Also according to Keila Oliveira, women take a little longer to get excited than men. “It is estimated that it takes them 2 or 3 minutes to get an erect penis, while women can take around 15 to 20 minutes to reach arousal. That’s why it’s super important to invest a lot in foreplay so that this moment arrives spontaneously”, she explains.

“The big problem is that many men feel very distressed and make a direct relationship between vaginal lubrication and women’s sexual desire, which as a rule may not be consistent with real female desire”, comments sex therapist Keila.

That is, often, the partner ends up thinking that the woman needs to use the lubricant because she is not excited enough, does not feel like having sex with him.

As highlighted by Keila Oliveira, over time, women lose their ability to naturally lubricate, and they can reach their climax in menopause. “Contraceptive use can also affect vaginal lubrication as well as other hormonal changes. Stress and lack of foreplay can be other reasons for the problem,” she comments.

So, when this lubrication is not adequate, it is time to resort to the use of intimate lubricants. “Its use is very important in these cases to prevent women from feeling pain, burning or being able to inflame the vaginal canal”, highlights the sexologist.

There is even a program in the SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde) that offers free distribution of water-based intimate lubricants to menopausal women. “This is great, as it educates and encourages women and even men at this stage of life to have a healthy sex life without discomfort. It provides the collective thought that sex is healthy, that it is important and that it is not at the entrance of maturity that it should be put aside”, adds sex therapist Keila.

Benefits of intimate lubricant

As the use of lubricants reduces friction and, consequently, pain and burning, its use makes sex more pleasurable, with more relaxation and without difficulties.

Keila Oliveira also points out that, currently, some edible intimate lubricants are produced, with flavors and aromatic essences, which can favor oral sex for those people who have problems with the smell and peculiar taste of the genitals.” It is a good tip for those people who would like to invest more in this practice, but who see their genitals as smelly. Regardless of the purpose, this type of lubricant stimulates creativity and can encourage the couple to get out of the routine, experimenting with different tastes”, she adds.

Can it be dangerous to use intimate lubricant?

Keila Oliveira explains that some people may feel more sensitive, have a tendency to develop allergies or other skin problems, so the use of intimate lubricant must be judicious and take into account the different types of skin.

“The biggest danger is that, depending on the composition of the lubricant, there is a risk of reacting with the latex – which is the material used in the manufacture of condoms – and, in this way, ending up breaking the condom. Once the condom breaks or breaks, it stops preventing STDs and AIDS and against an unplanned pregnancy”, highlights sex therapist Keila.

How to choose the ideal intimate lubricant

Below you can find tips that will help you when buying intimate lubricant:

• Choose a water-based lubricant. According to Keila Oliveira, this type of product is the most suitable, because its composition is hypoallergenic (does not cause allergies) and does not react with the latex of condoms.
• Silicone-based lubricants are also a good option. According to Keila Oliveira, silicone-based lubricants are the most modern and are also highly recommended, as they do not react with latex. However, if the person has an allergic reaction to it, the water-based product should be chosen.
• Avoid mineral or vegetable oil-based lubricants. According to sexologist Keila, they are contraindicated because they can react with the condom material and cause it to break.
• Avoid lubricants with anesthetics. The sexologist Keila explains that the use of this type of product is highly contraindicated, as it can camouflage lesions that may appear at the time of sexual intercourse and be very dangerous for the health of the genitals.
• Try edible intimate lubricants. According to Keila, this type of lubricant can be a good alternative for couples who want to invest more in oral sex by trying different flavors and essences.
• Never buy a product that is not specific to the genital area. Do not use other substances, such as cream, gel, etc., that are not specifically used for the genital region.
• Talk to an expert. If you are interested in buying an intimate lubricant, but still feel insecure about choosing the product, talk to your gynecologist who can help with good guidance.

Homemade Lubricant: Is It Worth Using?

Can a woman make her own homemade lubricant, using, for example, coconut oil, among other homemade oils?

In the opinion of sexologist Keila this is not recommended. “Intimate lubricants are currently so easy to find in pharmacies and even supermarkets, on the internet, in delivery, and so cheap, that it is not even worth investing in products that may be inappropriate, or that may cause allergies or other skin problems” , highlights.

“Even the saliva itself or even water can help and encourage the woman with her natural lubrication”, adds the professional.

Intimate lubricant x anal sex

Keila Oliveira highlights that intimate lubricant not only can but should be used for anal sex.

“The anus is unable to produce adequate natural lubrication for sex. And because it is an extremely vascularized region, where the risk of bleeding is high and friction with the penis can cause fissures, the use of lubricants is highly recommended, so that there are no injuries or bleeding”, explains the sexologist.

Where to buy intimate lubricants

In the gallery below you can see some examples of intimate lubricants that are easily found for sale:

Now you have good information about intimate lubricants and guidelines for choosing a good product. Prefer those based on water, thus avoiding the risk of allergies and breaking the latex of the condom.