LUBRICATION (LUBES) EXPOSED -The vagina produces its own natural lubricant (vagina juices) within a few seconds when a woman becomes sexually aroused. This natural lubrication makes penetration easier and much more pleasureable, however some women do not produce enough lubrication or their vagina dries up if they are not stimulated long enough during foreplay or stimulated the right way. After childbirth and menopause women produce less vaginal secretions than usual and it is at these times that artificial lubricants such as creams and jellies come in handy.

It is a myth that a lack of lubricant may mean that a woman isn't emotionally and sexually aroused. A woman can be intensely sexually aroused without being very well lubricated. The vagina dries up very quickly so you can literally be wet one minute and dry the next.

It is desirable if sex is continuing for sometime that you pre-lubricate again as too much friction can cause sex to become painful and will irritate and cause soreness inside the vagina walls. Too much friction could also lead to bladder or vaginal infections and cause the condom to tear.

There are also other factors such as drugs, stress, alcohol, some medications, tiredness and the use of sex toys that can also lead to the lack of natural lubrication that is secreted from the vagina.

When using your mouth during any form of oral sex, saliva dries up very quickly so it's best to keep a glass of water near by.

When it comes to any type of anal sex play it's extremely important that artificial lubricant is used as it doesn't produce any natural lubricant at all.

Artificial Lubrication

Nowadays there a whole aray of different types of water-based lubricants for anal and vaginal sex play. If you want to have oral sex they come in all the many flavours of the rainbow! Those who have allergies there are special lubes available and there are even lubes for underwater sex play. ID "Millennium" and Wet "Platinum" are two of the more popular brands. If you decide you'd rather use something around the home such as vaseline, sunflower oil, butter or moisturiser you must be aware that these products may eat through the condom (if used on dildos) cause tears or damage it in someway so it becomes unsafe. It's important you test a small amount of lube on your genitals to check for allergies.

Water-based Lube

Water-based lube is the safest type of lube to use with condoms, the main ingredients in this type of lube are de-ionised water and glycerine. Also because they are somewhat sweet by taste they are very handy when it comes to oral sex. These types of lubes do not irritate the genitals and surrounding tissues as much and are washed away easily with water. On the down side they do tend to get a bit sticky and dry up reasonably quickly.

Silicone-based Lube

Unlike water-based lube they are waterproof and much more difficult to wash away but they do last longer and it usually doesn't need to be re-applied again during sex. Be aware that they will erode any type of silicone based sex-toy but on the upside they are safe to use with most contraceptive devices.

Petroleum-based Lube

Unfortunately, this type of lube is only really safe to use for male masturbation and anal sex. If used with any form of latax contraceptive device such as condoms because this form of lube is oil based it may erode the latax making the device unsafe to use.

Oil-based Lube

Oil-based lube should only be used with dildos and for anal sex, because this type of lubrication is made from butter or nut oil it will erode any type of latax based contraception such as latax condoms.

Flavoured Lube

Be careful if you use any sort of flavoured lube that contain sucrose as this type of lubrication can cause yeast infections if used for penetrative sex. Lube that contains artifcial sweeteners maybe a little safer but caution should still be used.

Spermicides

This is one of the best forms of lubrication if you have sex with men as well as women. The chemical in this type of lube is shown to kill the sperm and germs that cause STIs.

Glycerine

This is a very common ingredient in lubricant but a word of caution because it is very similar to sugar like sucrose it can cause yeast infections. If you are prone to such infections it would be best to use lubes that are sucrose and glycerine free.

Benzocaine

This is an ingredient in some forms of lubes, it causes a numbing effect that is very handy when having anal penetrative sex. One must be aware that benzocaine may increase the risk of injury as the numbness that it causes may make you unaware if you are in pain.

So before you next reach for the fridge in a mad rush to do a match and mix of post-sex lube of butter, honey and olive oil you may want to think again, because regardless of how lovely it smells it maybe doing you more harm than good in the end. Rise and shine to a yeast infection probably isn't the best way to start the day!