“Lube works by decreasing friction in your genitals. This can be helpful if your body doesn’t produce enough lubrication due to aging, medications, or hormones.”
“The fewer ingredients, the more natural the lube.”
Choosing a great lube for sex
Healthline – No matter the quality of your sex life, chances are it can be enhanced with a little lubrication.
In a 2015 study, about 30 percent of women reported pain during their most recent sexual encounter. Not only can lube ease some of the vaginal dryness that may cause this discomfort, it can also help increase sensitivity and arousal.
Lube works by decreasing friction in your genitals. This can be helpful if your body doesn’t produce enough lubrication due to aging, medications, or hormones.
While there are many different types of lube specifically designed for this purpose, you may consider coconut oil if you want to try something more natural and free of some of the chemicals found in other products.
It’s also known for its moisturizing properties, making it an especially appealing lubricant. Read on to learn if it’s safe to use coconut oil during sex.
Potential benefits of coconut oil for sex
According to a 2014 study, coconut oil is clinically proven for safe and effective use as a moisturizer. Its moisturizing properties may make the product an effective lube and allow for longer-lasting intercourse.
For women going through menopause, coconut oil may be especially helpful. It’s common to experience the following symptoms during menopause that may increase the need for lube:
In particular, vaginal atrophy may be combatted with more frequent sex, so it’s important to deal with any pain associated with sex.
For those with allergies or sensitive skin, choosing a more natural option like coconut oil, with no added chemicals or toxins, can also make for an appealing lubricant.
You may want to look for unrefined coconut oil, as refined oils are more processed. Unrefined coconut oil doesn’t undergo the bleaching process that happens with refined coconut oil.
In spite of these potential benefits, more research is needed to see exactly how using coconut oil as a lube can benefit you or your partner. Read more.
PREVIOUSLY: Use Lube. NOT Soap.
12 Best Natural Lubes For A Happy Vagina, According To Gynos
May 6, 2020
Women’s Health Magazine – It’s no secret that, for lots of people, lube is a game-changer when it comes to sex.
So you’d probably assume that lubes are pretty safe (even good for) your vagina given their myriad other benefits—and most are.
“The traditional and most commonly used lubes are water- or silicone-based which won’t disrupt the vagina’s delicate pH balance, which can cause an infection,” says Sherry A. Ross, MD, gynecologist and author of She-ology and She-ology, The She-quel: Let’s Continue the Conversation.
But—and this is a big but—if the ingredients used to create the scents, warming capabilities, and flavors of some lubes are doing you more harm than good by irritating your sensitive skin down there, you might find you’re better off with a natural alternative.
Now this, of course, opens up a whole new world of uncertainties. With so many lubes on the market claiming to be “natural” and “organic,” it’s hard to tell what those labels actually mean for you and your vag.
Here are the facts: It all comes down to ingredients. The fewer ingredients, the more natural the lube. “In general, both natural and organic lubricants do not contain those extra non-pure additives including synthetic chemicals, dyes, preservatives, artificial fragrances and other toxins,” says Ross.
The notable difference between “natural” and “organic” lubes really comes down to how the ingredients in each are sourced and whether they’ve been certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Organic lubes are made from certified ingredients while natural ones are not. To be truly organic, a lube’s ingredients won’t have interacted with chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, and GMOs.
That said, some natural and organic lubes can still be tricky for your vagina and include ingredients that you’ll want to avoid. Take, petroleum jelly or mineral oil, for example: They can up your risk of developing bacterial vaginosis or other vaginal infections, says Alyssa Dweck, MD, a gynecologist in New York.
To make sure you’re adding only the safest options to your cart, you’ll want to shop from this expert-approved list of the best natural lubricants. Many of these feature coconut oil, aloe vera, or vitamin E for a silky, slippery texture and none of the potentially icky stuff (plastics, artificial fragrances, and oh, those pesky parabens).
Pro tip: Always test a bit of lube on your wrist to see if it causes any irritation. If it doesn’t, give it a try on your vulva to double-check before using it during sex.
PREVIOUSLY: Vagina Tests Doctors Recommend Most
Now, onto the good stuff:
1. Organic Lubricant
sustainnatural.com, $12.99
“Sustain is vegan and gluten-free and free of petroleum, parabens, and glycerin,” says Dr. Ross. It’s made from mostly organic materials. Most of it is made from natural ingredients—96 percent to be exact. Plus, it’s packing aloe vera, water, and flaxseed extract and it’s completely free of silicone, petroleum, parabens, and fragrance.
2. Water-Silicone Hybrid Personal Lubricant
NAKED SILK, amazon.com. $14.50
If you feel like your go-to synthetic lube can sometimes feel clumpy after prolonged use or tends to thicken the more you apply, make the switch to Naked Silk, says Dr. Ross. “This water-based lube feels smooth, silky, and slippery to the touch,” she says, no matter how much you use. “Women [especially] like the fact it doesn’t feel like you are using a lubricant.”
3. Natural Personal Lubricant, Probiotic Edible Formula
Organic Glide, amazon.com, $21.95
This lube is plant-oil based (vegetable and olive oil) and is free of glycerin, fragrance, parabens, flavorings, alcohol, and hormones, says Amir Marashi, MD, gynecologist and surgical director of the New York Center for Aesthetic Rejuvenation … Read more.
PREVIOUSLY: Prescription For Happiness After 60: More Sex