How do you use lubricant, and when should you use it?

We’ll answer your questions about when and how to use lubricant to enhance pleasure during sex.

The use of lubricants is still a mystery to many of us. When should I use it? Do I have to apply it myself, or should my partner do it too? What other benefits do they offer? Read on to clear up all these doubts.

When to use a lubricant

If you sometimes experience painful sex due to vaginal dryness or a reduced sex drive, don’t worry – it’s more common than you might think. Clinical studies show that 63 per cent of sexually active women experience a reduced sex drive, whilst the remaining 37 per cent have no sex drive at all.

If this sounds like you, knowing how to use a lubricant will help you continue to enjoy and explore your sex life. Not only will it make penetration easier and reduce friction, but you can also use it during foreplay, for massages or with sex toys, helping to create a more pleasurable intimate experience.

How to choose the right lubricant

You might feel a bit overwhelmed by the wide variety of lubricants available on the market, but the two main characteristics you should look out for are pH and osmolality – that is, the concentration of dissolved particles in the liquid.

For vaginal use, it is recommended to use a lubricant with a pH of around 4.5, and for anal use, one with a pH of between 5.5 and 7. As for osmolality, the WHO recommends that it should be around 380 Osm/kg to minimise the risk of irritation to the vaginal mucosa. You should also ensure that the product does not contain any substances that could be harmful to your intimate area, such as parabens, colourings or allergens.

Our Mucus vaginal lubricant gel contains moisturising ingredients in its formula, creating a water-based formula that mimics female cervical mucus. Thanks to natural lactic acid, it maintains the physiological pH of your intimate area and makes sexual intercourse easier when you experience dryness.

How to use lubricant during sexual intercourse

For many women, using lubricant during sex marks a real turning point, as it enhances pleasure and heightens sensations. There are many erotic and pleasurable ways to use it – you just need to be a little creative! Here are some original ideas for when to use it:

Include it in your foreplay
Don’t just focus on penetration; you can also use it to give a lovely erotic massage on the back and glide down to other parts of the body. Light some scented candles, put on some music and enjoy the relaxation of a massage.
Enjoy the sensations.
Many lubricants offer effects that make you feel cool, warm or vibrating… Make the most of this by blindfolding yourself and exploring the sensations you feel in your body whilst your partner applies it to your skin or to different erogenous zones. Ginesens warming lubricant can become your greatest ally, as it provides a pleasant sensation, alleviates the symptoms of vulvovaginal dryness and makes sexual intercourse easier.

Lubricant compatibility with condom use

It is also important to choose a lubricant that does not compromise the integrity of the condom. Water-based or silicone-based lubricants are recommended for sexual intercourse with a condom, as these compounds do not damage latex, unlike oil-based ones.

Although condoms usually contain some lubricant, on occasions – and particularly for women who experience greater vaginal dryness – extra lubrication can be added by applying a lubricating gel to the outside of the condom to prevent friction and discomfort.

Do lubricants interfere with trying to conceive?

If you’re trying to conceive, you should ensure that the lubricant is water-based, as these are gentler on sperm. Some experts recommend avoiding silicone-based or oil-based lubricants.

When it comes to the post-pregnancy period, lubricants can also help us regain our sexual desire after giving birth. This is because, following childbirth, the vaginal area can be sore, making it difficult to resume sexual relations with your partner.

In conclusion, lubricants help to enhance pleasure, make it easier to reach orgasm, encourage you and your partner to experiment, and reduce problems with vaginal dryness during sex.

Use them and enjoy your sex life even more!

Sources:

*Study carried out by an external company (EVIC Hispania) under dermatological and gynaecological supervision, and included in the technical dossier approved (4 March 2010) by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS). **Sexual Relations
Study ref.: 09-0174/0. Centro Experimental de Evaluación Cutánea S.L., April 2009