As women age, vaginal lubrication becomes a crucial factor for pleasurable lovemaking.  A dry ‘depth’ can make intercourse painful.  If relief is not found, anxiety toward painful future lovemaking sessions may inhibit libido.  Around half menopausal & post-menopausal women will experience dryness, at some point.

Declining estrogen levels (peri-menopause onward) are often the culprit for dryness, but stress and diet can also be a factor.  There are other medical conditions that can contribute, in particular Sjogren’s Disease and PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome).

Certain medications may also have a drying side-effect (anti-histamines/daily allergy medicine and cancer treatments, for example).  Shifting hormones because of birth control can affect younger women.  Pregnancy and breast feeding can affect vaginal moisture.

However, vaginal dryness is not the only reason to have fun with extra lubrication.

Lubrication can make a great experience, exquisite.  Remember how fun a Slip & Slide was as a kid?

Well, take Slip & Slide to the adult (& married) level.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries the bones,”  Proverbs 17:22.

Practical Tips to wet your wonderland

1.  Drink more WATER.
2.  Reduce caffeine.  Caffeine is a diuretic which urges your body to purge it’s water.
3.  Choose gentle hygiene products.  Do not use douche, feminine hygiene spray, or antibacterial/harsh soaps, bubble bath or bath salts.
4.  Eat one or two soy products a day (edamame snacks or tofu on your salad).  Soy has an estrogen mimicking effect.  (If you should stay away from estrogen DO NOT do this.)
5.  Use it or lose it.  Have you ever let your car sit for a month or two without driving it?  If so, you may have noticed when you start to drive it again things start to fall apart?  Same theory with the lady parts, consistent use will help keep the engine oiled.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is touted to be a cure for every disease known to man (*exaggeration*). However, the coconut oil website has an impressive list of uses.

This article (click link here) confirms that coconut oil is an anti-fungal.  There might be substance to their claims.  The silky properties are extremely long lasting.  It smells great and is not drippy.  Overall, we are very pleased with it.

(Disclaimer:  Oils are not highly regarded in the medical community due to their ability to promote allergy, yeast overgrowth, and bacterial infections.  Please be aware, proper hygiene must be followed with consistent showers to remove old oil.)

Vitamin E vaginal suppositories

Suppositories can be found in health food stores and compounding pharmacies without a prescription.  Oral vitamin E capsules are not recommended to be used in the vagina.  The oral capsules have a far greater amount of vitamin E in them (400 i.u.’s versus 30 i.u.’s in the suppositories).  There is a chance of toxicity if more than 400 i.u.’s of Vitamin E is taken daily over long term.   There is documented research that Vitamin E is beneficial for lubrication.

Carrageenan

Carrageenan is a relatively new additive in personal lubricants and is touted as a female sexual stimulant when directly applied to clitoris.  It is made from red seaweed.  It has been used as a food additive for its gelling and smoothing properties since the 1950’s.

In addition to silky texture, it has the ability to cause inflammation (greater blood accumulation in an area) which would make the clitoris more sensitive.  There is a just-right warming effect.  It’s not the scary, ‘Oh Man, I’m doing damage’ icy/hot intense feel of some of the heat lubricants we’ve tried.

There is some debate as to the safety of Carrageenan.  But, it has been found to be effective as an anti-viral against HPV.

Tip of the Day:  My sister told me about this after watching it on Dr. Oz’s television show regarding vaginal dryness.  It works!  Put a dab of oil on the perineum (the stretch of skin between your anus and vagina, also known as ‘taint’) after each shower.  The oil is absorbed into the skin and helps lubricate the inner canal, as well.

When I become aware of the feeling throughout the day, it reminds me of my sensuality.  The frequent thoughts help my overall libido.

Which oil to use?  Olive oil was suggested on the show.  I have been using olive oil with orange infusion (that way it doesn’t remind me of antipasto salad).

Final thoughts

NO, butter did not make my list of lubricants.

Enjoy your next Slip & Slide session, beautiful wife.

*I must give a humor nod to Julie Sibert at www.intimacyinmarriage.com.