Couple kissing (Photo courtesy of Instagram/@brittfusilier)
Courtesy of Instagram/@brittfusilier
Courtesy of Instagram/@brittfusilier
As an Emergency Medicine Physician, I have treated various ailments, illnesses, and emergencies, from stab wounds to folks using toothpaste as a vaginal or penile lubricant. I know what you’re thinking. It sounds impossible, or I’m exaggerating, but you read that correctly!
On the brink of Cardi B. and Megan Thee Stallion’s hit song “WAP,” it has opened the door for a more fluid conversation around normalizing vaginal lubrication. However, before discussing the various types of lubrication, I will provide insight into why toothpaste is not to be used as a lubricant for your genitalia.
First and foremost, toothpaste contains bleaching agents and scented oils such as peppermint, causing irritation and skin damage. Other common ingredients in toothpaste include calcium carbonate, an abrasive used for grinding and polishing, and sodium lauryl sulfate (a detergent). These chemicals should never be in contact with your vaginal area or penis. Toothpaste on your genitals can cause a mild burn, blisters, discoloration, and scarring. It can also disrupt the vagina’s pH level, leading to an unhealthy and unbalanced level causing yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.
Women have glands located on both sides of the vagina’s opening and in the cervix that naturally produce vaginal lubrication to protect the genital area from an injury or tearing and keep it clean and moist. Without sufficient lubrication, engaging in sexual intercourse can be quite painful. Suppose you are experiencing vaginal dryness or think you may need the sexual activity to be wetter and better. In that case, I highly recommend using water and/or silicone-based lubricants but not toothpaste.
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Remember, not all lubes are created equal. Each suits different needs. There are four types of lubricants: water, oil, silicone, and cannabis. A great lube can heighten pleasurable sensations and reduce chafing during an all-night (or day) sex marathon. But, I would suggest avoiding fragrance or flavor lubricants because it may cause irritation and increase the risk of vaginal infections or other health problems. If you are trying to conceive, some lubes may hurt sperm motility. Make sure to look at the packaging for the words “fertility-friendly” or “sperm-friendly.” Overall, it is easy to apply lubrication to your vulva, vagina, penis, or sex toy before penetration, and it can be used as a part of foreplay, and you can reapply it as needed. Here’s our list of the best lubricants for sex:
Water-Based
Water-based lubricants are the easiest to find in drugstores or at the family dollar store. The advantages include compatibility with sex toys, safe to use with latex condoms, doesn’t stain fabrics, and can be used for vaginal or anal sex. Glycerin, a natural by-product of the soap making process, is a popular ingredient in most water-based lubes. Although it is safe to use on your body, it is not safe to use on your vulva. If you are experiencing vaginal dryness or are prone to yeast infections, you may want to stay away from lubes that contain glycerin. Another con is water-based lubricants can dry out quickly and might not work while having sex in the shower, pool, or underwater.
Oil-Based
Oil-based lubricants last longer than water-based lubes, but they can lead to the breakdown of latex condoms. If you are practicing sex safe methods like using condoms, I suggest that you do not use oil-based lubes. On the other hand, you can also use this type of lube during masturbation.
Silicone-Based
Silicone-based lubes also last longer than water-based lubricants and are safe to use with condoms. Unfortunately, it is not safe to use with silicone sex toys. Please avoid using these lubricants with any sex toys that may have silicone because it can break down the silicone material and become a source for bacterial growth. I do not think your private parts would enjoy that.
Cannabis and CBD-Infused
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Using cannabis before engaging in sex can stimulate endorphins production, which are chemicals in our brain that are released to create feelings of pleasure. But did you know that cannabis and CBD can be used as a lubricant? It is believed to increase one’s libido and increase vaginal lubrication. According to a recent study from the Journal of Sexual Medicine titled, “The Relationship Between Marijuana Use Prior to Sex and Sexual Function In Women,” approximately 70% of women reported have a more pleasurable experience from using cannabis before sex. About 62% revealed that it enhanced the quality of their orgasms and their libidos.
You can apply it to your vulva, vagina, and anus. But remember it doesn’t work instantaneously in the same way other lubricants can. It takes time for your body to absorb -possibly an hour or more for the full effects. It is also possible that it may make you high depending on THC’s proportion in the lube. If your partner goes down on you after you applied the cannabis-infused lube to your genitals, he or she may also get high, since they are consuming it orally, similar to eating an edible!
The only significant difference between the cannabis-infused lube and CBD lube is that the CBD lube only contains CBD, and cannabis-infused lube contains a mixture of THC and CBD. Both CBD and THC can be found in cannabis, but have different effects. THC can make you feel high and have physiological effects on pleasure, while the CBD can make you feel more relaxed.
The bottom line is vaginal lubricants can be a great way to heighten your sex sessions, either solo or with your partner. Extra wetness can reduce friction or discomfort and help increase sexual arousal. So, be comfortable and confident with your decision when choosing which lubricant to use. Remember, each lubricant has its own effects and may still increase the risk of infections.
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Hey y'all - I'm Coco, The Conversational Freak, your intimate health and behavior coach, and I've unfortunately witnessed too many women suffer in silence, struggle with body positivity, and deal with the daily nuances of being a woman
From luxurious candles that fill the room with warmth to thoughtful gadgets that keep the connection strong, these products are designed to enhance those intimate moments.
Courtesy of pexels.com A couple’s sex life is one of the most important aspects to a healthy successful relationship. The act blends the mind and the body — the physical and the emotional — into one. It brings people, especially those in a relationship built off of trust and love, closer together. Since sex plays such an essential role in love and marriage, the downs of sexual desire can be daunting. When the once highly anticipated act in a relationship becomes more of a responsibility, it can put a damper on the overall experience. However, it’s important to know that having a low sex drive at any given point is not abnormal. “A low sex drive is basically you do not have as much interest in sex as you may have once had, … so a low sex drive is relative to you and your experience,” says Dr. Donna Oriowo, a sex and relationship therapist. “There's always going to be ebbs and flows in the ways that we experience our sexual desire and our libido.” Related Articles: Been Married For Years and Hit a Sexual Plateau? Consider These Tips It’s Possible! I Rekindled My Sex Life in My 30-Year Relationship The Ultimate List of Intimacy-Boosting Products for Couples External factors, such as eating habits and stress levels, all contribute to the ebbs and flows of your sex drive. Oriowo tells Black Love that these factors play into sexual response cycles, specifically William Masters and Virginia Johnson four-stage linear model. From data they collected, they found that the four stages of human sexual response are excitement, plateau, orgasm and resolution. In 1979, Helen Kaplan took it a step further, adding desire as the first stage. Oriowo says that if people experience a successful cycle and a good resolution that will increase their desire and sex drive. However, when they have a poor experience, often influenced by those hidden external factors, it can contribute to the low sex drive. In agreement with Oriowo, licensed marriage and family therapist Rabiia Ali says that when it comes to sex, everything is connected. “When one part of it is off, everything can be off,” Ali tells Black Love. “If you are experiencing stressful situations, you may not have the capacity to be able to even feel sexual or physical sexual feelings, and that definitely could impact your sex drive.” The status of your mental, physical and emotional health outside of the bedroom impacts the experience you may have within it. If you are experiencing a low sex drive, these five things may be secretly interfering with your bedroom experience. Stress Courtesy of Canva.com Stress is prevalent in the Black community, with people reporting experiencing stress at a higher rate than their white counterparts. In today’s political and social climate, people are more stressed than ever. “One of the biggest things that goes into a low self sex drive is how we're feeling,” Oriowo tells Black Love. “Now, people are experiencing more stress than they have ever experienced before. It makes sense because people are having less sex than they have ever had before.” Low Self-Esteem The way that you feel about yourself plays a major role in your performance in the bedroom. With society’s unattainable beauty standards, it’s easy to put pressure on yourself to look a certain way. Sex requires you to be in your most vulnerable state with your partner. If you are not comfortable in your looks and your own skin, you can shy away from it. Low self-esteem and confidence may be the cause of your low sex drive. Diet The foods that you eat and the amount of water you consume plays a pivotal role in your sexual performance. Alcohol, along with other drugs, could also negatively impact your sex drive. “When clients are coming in and they're saying that they are not having strong orgasms, or they're not able to get erect, one of the first things I ask them about is their water consumption and their diets,” Oriowo says. “Eat what you normally eat, and add in foods that are high in antioxidants [and that] help with blood flow.” Courtesy of Unsplash.com Lack of Interest A good sexual experience combines an emotional connection with an intense physical attraction. If you have a lower sex drive with your partner, one reason could be that you are no longer interested in them. When the connection that you are experiencing with your partner is diminishing or is lost, it can be difficult to maintain an active sex life. Fatigue When you come home after a long day of work and complete all of your household chores, you may be exhausted. Without the proper amount of rest and relaxation, your body won’t be in the best position to perform in the bedroom. Make sure to get between seven and nine hours of sleep a night. Adults who sleep less than 7 hours may have more health issues, including low sex drive.
