Lubricants are not just for women

Lubricants are not just for women

Read about the author Samantha Evans

Mention the word ‘lubricant’ in a sexual manner and most people think of older people in menopause experiencing vaginal dryness as a result of the menopause, but we know that using good irritant free sexual lubricants can transform your sex life, whatever your age, gender and sexual orientation.

Using lubricants can really help vaginal dryness which can affect people of all ages but can offer so much more in the way of sexual pleasure. The benefits of using lubricants for any sex play are numerous, helping intimate health, making sex last longer and feel much more pleasurable.

Jozkowski et al. (2013) conducted a study of 2,451 women aged between 18-68 and found that overall, women felt positive about lubricants, preferring sex to feel wetter than not. Not surprisingly, people reported that sex felt more comfortable and pleasurable using lubrication than without it.

Using a Good Lubricant Transforms your Sexual Pleasure

Owning a sex toy company that only sells irritant free lubricants, we cannot understand why anyone would not want to use a good lube, unless they don’t have an issue with getting wet.

Who doesn’t want to enjoy more pleasurable sex that feels amazing and lasts longer? Yet, some people are reluctant to use sexual lubricants, believing that they or their partner should be wet as soon as they’re touched, or they find it intrusive. Issues often arise when people use poor lubricants with irritating ingredients that put them off using lubricant or products from their kitchen or bathroom cupboards that were never designed for intimate use. There is nothing less sexy than an itching, stinging, or burning vulva, vagina, penis or anus!

Using lube helps to get sex started

Many people with a vulva and vagina do not feel they are lubricated enough for a variety of reasons, such as hormonal changes, stress, sexual side effects to medication, breastfeeding, cancer treatments and just not being turned on. They need time to “get going”. You can feel really aroused yet dry and no amount of mutual masturbation is going to make you wet, so popping lubricant on makes a huge difference and feels really pleasurable.

Relaxing back against the pillows and being masturbated by your partner with a great lube can feel so amazing and very arousing. Having a well-lubricated penis, anus, vulva or vagina not only enhances sexual pleasure but also prevents damage or abrasion to the delicate tissues. It’s a great way to enjoy quickie sex too.

Anal sex isn’t pleasurable without using a sexual lubricant because the tissues of the anus aren’t self lubricating like the vagina. If you are unprepared, tense or not sufficiently lubricated, anal insertion can be uncomfortable or painful. The key is to prepare. Unfortunately, many people’s first experience of this sexual art is in the form of ‘surprise anal’. This is never recommended. Preparation, consent and taking your time is key.

Painful sex is not pleasurable sex yet many people don’t tell their partner that it doesn’t feel pleasurable. We know that discovering a good irritant free lubricant can make a huge difference to your sexual health and pleasure and can really help people continue to enjoy great sex.

Older people face different sexual challenges in the form of erection and arousal problems. Becoming aroused may require longer genital stimulation to gain erections and to be turned on, and using lubrication can intensify the feeling of sexual pleasure, helping to make erections last longer.

We know that going through the menopause and beyond can and does impact upon your sexual function, health and pleasure, so using an irritant free lubricant can really help. Many couples simply give up on enjoying sex when they don’t have to. Clearly, some people are happy they no longer have to have sex, but for many, it can be devastating, and it’s a frequent conversation we have with our customers. We give advice about our sexual lubricants and vaginal moisturisers every day to help people enjoy good sex.

A 2014 study of 8,000 women found that over half experienced vaginal atrophy post-menopause and 41% said it made sex painful, yet British women are 50% less likely to ask for help compared to those in the US and Europe.

A survey by the British Menopause Society (2016) has revealed that one in two women in the UK aged 45-65, who are currently experiencing or who have experienced menopausal symptoms, go through the menopause without consulting a healthcare professional. 50% of women surveyed reported that their sex life was affected due to vaginal dryness, vaginal tightness, decreased sexual sensation and low libido, with 10% giving up on sex completely.

Which one should I choose?

The vast majority of sexual lubricants contain at least one irritating ingredient. Many feel sticky because they contain glycerin, a sugar which can cause thrush, whatever your gender. Propylene glycol is a well-known irritant and parabens are preservatives which are also hormone disrupters. Other ingredients include perfume, dyes, glitter and alcohol, all of which can and do irritate the delicate tissues of our genitals!

Using a lubricant shouldn’t feel intrusive, but many do.

Water-based lubricants

These are the most popular choice of lubricant, feeling similar to your own natural lubrication. They are also safe to use with latex condoms and diaphragms. However, many contain irritating ingredients as mentioned above, which can cause irritation. This is why we only sell irritant free lubricants.

Water-based lubricants are the most versatile lubricant available and are safe to use with latex condoms, sex toys and diaphragms.

YES Water-Based Organic Lubricant feels more like your own natural vaginal lubrication, and can also be absorbed into the tissues of the vagina, helping to nourish the sensitive skin. Water-based lubricants are also easy to wash off after use, leaving your skin clean, smooth and free of residue. If they do dry out, you can add a little more or reactivate them with water. The 5ml applicators are great to get it high up inside the vagina or anus and handy when travelling.

SUTIL LUXE is a silky smooth water-based lubricant that moisturises, nourishes and soothes our most intimate areas, as well as lubricating for sexual pleasure. This fabulous water-based lubricant gently cushions and glides, blending seamlessly with your own natural lubrication during sex. Being water-based, it is easy to wash off, too.

Free from irritating ingredients and hormone free, it is perfect post cancer treatment and during menopause, not only as a sexual lubricant but also as a vaginal moisturiser and can be used with any sex toy or dilator.

Made with eco – certified ingredients, SUTIL is committed to creating natural and organic cosmetics that are not only great for your skin, but also derived from renewable resources and manufactured using environmentally friendly processes.

SUTIL RICH is a thick, velvety water-based lubricant that feels very natural. Designed with a pH suitable for both anal and vaginal use, the new “Rich” formulation has enhanced viscosity to ease anal penetration and soothe dry, delicate tissues. It can also be used as a vaginal moisturiser too.

SUTIL Rich contains small amounts of Horny Goat Weed — a herbal aphrodisiac — that is added, along with Siberian Ginseng and Jujube nut. Traditionally, these herbs are used to increase strength, energy, stamina and vitality, but they also help to boost immune functions and have natural antibiotic and antiseptic properties to fight infection. Horny Goat Weed is also a vasodilator, which promotes blood flow and increases natural lubrication.

Oil-based lubricants

Being thicker and more creamy in nature, oil-based lubricants last longer during sex. They are great to use for manual masturbation, but be aware that they are not safe to use with latex contraceptives.

We never recommend using any oil-based products from your kitchen or bathroom cupboard, such as baby oil, olive oil, Vaseline as these are not designed for intimate use, only for external use or to eat! Coconut oil, love it or hate it, is another product many people use; however, it can cause thrush, is difficult to clean off and needs to be 100% organic and pure, in a tube, not a pot and ethically farmed, not by monkeys on chains.

Using YES oil-based lubricant on the penis can feel creamy, providing nourishment to the delicate skin of the penis and enabling sex to last longer. When warmed in your hand, the heat will melt it, making it easier to apply. Using both oil – based and water-based lubricant during sexual intercourse creates a Double Glide effect increasing sexual pleasure. YES oil-based lubricant is ideal for sensual and all – over body massage too. It makes great lip balm too!

Silicone-based lubricants

Silicone lubricants, contain tiny particles of silicone which make them feel silky to touch and longer lasting. They are safe to use with latex products, but must not be used with silicone sex toys as they can damage the silicone coating on these products which led to them becoming porous, therefore no longer skin safe . SKINS condoms are lubricated with silicone lubricant.

What should I avoid?

Any lubricant which contains the ingredients mentioned above and products not designed for intimate use.

Products such as Vaseline, olive oil and baby oil were never designed for intimate use and will destroy condoms and latex products.

Are you allergic to your condom or the lube?

Some lubricated condoms are lubricated with many ingredients that irritate the vulva, vagina, penis and anus. You can check the lubricant ingredients on the box but be aware that some condom manufacturers, including well-known brands, do not include the lubricant ingredients on their packaging even when they have space. So it is worth exploring different brands such as SKINS which are lubricated with a silicone lubricant if you experience any irritation.

Perfumed condoms, including vegan ones, have hit our high street shelves and online, and it is advisable to avoid these brands if you experience any vaginal, vulval or anal irritation. No one needs a perfumed condom. Skins are lubricated with silicone lubricant, or use your own skin – safe lubricant with non-lubricated condoms.

Whatever your age, sexual orientation or gender, using a good lubricant can transform your sexual pleasure. Investing in a tube of irritant free lube not only increases your sexual pleasure and performance, it also shows your partner that you care about your intimate health and theirs too.