2/14/2009

Womens Health: Which Type of Lubricant Gel Should You Use?

Gone are the days when there was only one type of lubricant gel that was available to women for personal use. Whether a woman needed lubrication to treat uncomfortable vaginal dryness or for a little extra lube during sex, there was artificial lubrication and that was that. Today, however, there are so many brands that make so many kinds that are good for so many things that do so many different things that many women find their heads spinning at the thought of trying to find the best lubricant gel for them.

First of all, ladies, it is important to keep in mind that just because a product has a larger price tag or pretty packaging that does not mean that it is the best. Different women with different needs need different products, so the term best here is highly subjective and personal. Youll need to first assess exactly what you need a lubricant gel for. Some contain spermicides, some are water based, others are silicone based. Some contain sugars, some should be avoided by women at all costs. Which ones are which?

The easiest one to start with is the oil based lubricant. Do not use it! Unless you are a man looking to masturbate, stay away! The oil can coat the vaginal walls and the rectum and create painful yeast infections. These are for external use only, and they also are not condom friendly. However, if you are looking for a good skin moisturizer or massage oil, they work great.

Next we have the silicone based lubricant gels. These are very popular because of their silky smooth texture. They can be a little challenging to wash off of the body, but soap and water will do it. This type of lube lasts a long time before it dries up, so you wont have to repeatedly stop to reapply more. Also be mindful of the fact that some silicone products will stain your linens.

Finally we come to the water based lubricant gel, which a majority of women prefer either for the treatment of dryness or for sex. The formulas are gentle and good for sensitive skin, most do not stain bed sheets, they are easy to wash off, and they are safe to use vaginally, anally, with condoms and with those little toys that we love. Do take caution, however, that you do not use a lubricant gel vaginally that contains sugars or glycerin. These ingredients disrupt the natural pH of the vagina, which makes it a ripe breeding ground that welcomes in bacteria and yeast. Just make a little mental note too that although these water based products are cheaper than the silicone and oil ones, they do dry out much faster and must be re applied more often. If you are brand new to the world of lubricant gel, it is recommended that you start out with a water based product and move on to others when you are ready.


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