Normalizing Lube Use | ASTROGLIDE

I’ve to be sincere – I’m unsure how or why utilizing lube turned taboo or tough to speak about. However it’s one thing that comes up time and time once more with my sufferers, they usually’re all the time involved.

“Doc, I feel there’s one thing improper with me?”

“My accomplice thinks there’s one thing improper with me?”

“I’m not as moist as I was.”

This sometimes comes up in the direction of the top of a affected person go to, the place I all the time be certain to ask them if there’s something on their minds that wasn’t coated. Probably the most fascinating half is, when it’s associated to lubricant, they decrease their eyes and say it in a really hushed tone. They’re conveying a sense of disgrace. These sufferers are folks of varied ages and backgrounds, however no matter these variations all of them really feel a shared sense of disgrace when speaking about their lack of lubrication throughout intercourse.

I normally ask if there are some other signs, and typically they will inform me different issues like emotions of bodily discomfort or issues orgasming. However one of many first issues that I provide all of my sufferers who specific these considerations is to make use of lube. It’s a simple resolution for dryness and it may be used for therefore many intimate actions. In truth, a 2010 examine performed by Indiana College discovered that girls reported elevated sexual pleasure once they used lubricant throughout all forms of intercourse (masturbation, vaginal penetrative, and anal penetrative) than with out lube.¹ We all know it really works, so we shouldn’t really feel shy about utilizing it!

When assembly with my sufferers, I additionally wish to ask how their accomplice will really feel about utilizing lube, since in some instances they might be uncertain or cautious. They’re involved that their accomplice might really feel slighted as a result of they don’t seem to be in a position to make them as moist or aroused as they’ve been previously, or that they are going to be perceived as being much less horny as a result of they want lube to assist make intercourse extra snug and pleasurable. These are all completely legitimate emotions however shouldn’t trigger emotions of embarrassment or insecurity.

Likewise, there are additionally considerations which have been mentioned in sexual well being circles. It has been proven that many ladies really feel reluctant to carry up points they might be having with vaginal dryness throughout intercourse, and on the similar time, many healthcare suppliers don’t really feel that they can ask the fitting questions on vaginal dryness or sexual discomfort when assembly with sufferers. Sadly, this usually results in girls not getting the straightforward and efficient assist they should enhance their intercourse lives.²

With all that in thoughts, it’s essential to know that utilizing a private lubricant doesn’t make you any much less horny. Similar to condoms or contraception drugs don’t make folks any much less engaging to a accomplice, lube doesn’t have an effect on your intercourse attraction. It’s merely a product accessible and utilized by greater than 49 million Individuals to make your intercourse life extra pleasurable.³ Similar to including toys or role-playing could make intercourse extra pleasing, so can lube!

I’m not solely certain how utilizing lube turned a marker of there being one thing improper with the sexual chemistry or attraction between companions, however I’m right here to let you know that it has nothing to do with that. In actuality, we must always begin considering of it as a marker of being absolutely engaged with our sexual companions. It reveals that you simply need to be certain your accomplice is snug and to focus on their pleasure.

Let’s normalize utilizing lube. It may well actually be a game-changer, mentally and bodily.

References

1. Indiana College. “Impact of water-based and silicone-based lubricant on sexual pleasure of girls.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 9 December 2010. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101209074359.htm>.
2. Edwards, D, and N Panay. “Treating vulvovaginal atrophy/genitourinary syndrome of menopause: how essential is vaginal lubricant and moisturizer composition?.” Climacteric: the journal of the Worldwide Menopause Society vol. 19,2 (2016): 151-61. doi:10.3109/13697137.2015.1124259
3. Grand View Analysis. “Private Lubricant Market Evaluation By Sort (Water-Based mostly, Silicone-Based mostly, Oil-Based mostly), By Distribution Channel (E-commerce, Drug Shops), By Area, Aggressive Insights, And Phase Forecasts, 2019 – 2026.” Grand View Analysis, August 2019. <https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/personal-lubricant-market>.