How to use an intimate lubricant correctly 🧴

Using lubricant promotes a pleasurable sexual experience, but taking into account some key points, such as washing your hands before applying it and choosing one with the right pH, allows you to enjoy it even more.

Lubricant is an essential ally for improving comfort and pleasure during sexual intercourse. Knowing how to use it properly can prevent discomfort such as vaginal dryness, make anal sex easier and intensify foreplay. Therefore, it can make a difference in the quality of the experience.

If you want to enjoy a more comfortable and satisfying sex life, you should know the best practices for its use. In this article, we will teach you how to apply it, what type of gel is best to choose for each situation, and useful recommendations to avoid irritation or infection.

Step by step to apply a lubricant

Depending on what you're going to do, whether it's vaginal, anal, oral sex or fingering, this product can be applied either at the entrance to the vagina or anus or on a condom, penis or fingers. We'll tell you, step by step, how to use a lubricant correctly:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the product to avoid the transmission of bacteria.
2. Place a small amount of gel on your fingers, about the size of a walnut. You can then add more if you feel it necessary.
3. Spread it on the external area of ​​the vagina, the head of the penis, the anus, on the condom already put on or on the sex toy, depending on the activity you are doing.
4. Get ready to enjoy the action.
5. If you notice that lubrication decreases during sexual activity, reapply it in the same way to improve the experience and avoid discomfort.

If you're wondering when to use it, you can do so at any time, whether during foreplay, oral sex (as long as it's edible or water-based), masturbation, or penetration.

Precautions when using it

When using a gel, it is essential to take into account certain factors to ensure a safe experience. These include the following precautions:

• Maintain proper hygiene: after use, it is important to thoroughly clean the areas exposed to the product to avoid infections.
• Be careful with spermicides: although a gel that prevents sperm from moving may be attractive, it is not recommended because it can cause irritation.
• Select compatible products: If you use a condom, make sure the gel is compatible. Don't use homemade options or oil-based gels because they can weaken the condom.
• Perform an allergy test: If this is your first time using a product, whether commercial or homemade, apply a little on a small area of ​​skin and wait 24 hours to see if you have any reaction.
• Preventing the transmission of diseases: No product will protect you from sexually transmitted diseases except a condom. A water-based lubricant, as opposed to other types, only helps prevent the condom from breaking.
• Check for preservatives: As the World Health Organization (WHO) says, it's best to avoid preservatives such as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, sorbic acid, phenoxyethanol, benzoic acid, chlorhexidine gluconate, and domiphen bromide because they can cause irritation.
• Choose one with the right pH: the vaginal pH ranges between 3.8 and 5.0, while in the rectum it is around 7. To avoid the risk of raising it and suffering from diseases, the gel should have a pH close to that of the area. If you do not know the pH, it is best to opt for lubricants that are neutral.

Why use lubricants ❓

Sexual lubricants are valuable tools to enhance the intimate experience and address various issues related to friction or discomfort during sex. Some of the main reasons why their use is recommended are as follows:

• Using sex toys: It is recommended to use them with sex toys, as they provide a softer contact and help avoid irritation caused by prolonged use.
• Enabling anal penetration: gel is an indispensable ally for penetration from behind, making the experience easier. Although the anus can be aroused and dilated, it does not have natural lubrication like the vagina.
• Facilitate penetration in cases of large size or tightness: If one of the partners has a large penis or if the vagina is very narrow, it can facilitate penetration and prevent burning after having sex.
• Enhance sexual play: adding a little of this gel also allows for much more enjoyable foreplay. Unlike saliva, it does not evaporate or leave the skin sticky, in addition to giving a much more erotic smell and being hypoallergenic.
• Improving contact in male relationships: In other cases, the man may not produce enough pre-seminal fluid and create friction during sex. Therefore, it is ideal to apply it so that he does not hurt himself by rubbing against his partner's body.
• Prevent vaginal dryness: As indicated by the North American Menopause Society, vaginal dryness can cause pain during penetration, especially in women with menopause or hormonal conditions. In these cases, lubricants and moisturizers can help improve hydration and reduce friction, improving sexual intercourse.

What type of lubricant to choose ❓

There are different types of lubricants on the market, which allows you to try them out until you find the one that best suits you or your needs. The most recommended are water-based ones, because they are suitable for all sexual practices, are easy to clean and can be used with condoms.

If you are looking for a longer lasting effect or want to practice anal sex, there are silicone or oil options. However, they are incompatible with condoms and latex toys. You can also opt for thermal or flavoured gels.

Useful tips to keep in mind ❗️

In addition to basic precautions to ensure safe use, it is important to keep in mind the following key facts when using one of these products.

• Use low viscosity ones for vaginal penetration or oral sex.
• If you are considering using a homemade alternative, consult a doctor first.
• Use the higher viscosity ones for anal sex, sex toys, and underwater sex.
• Don't forget to check the ingredients to prevent allergies or irritations.
• If you use a latex condom, check its instructions to see if it is compatible with that material.
• Store the product in a cool, safe and dry place, and check the expiration date before use.
• Avoid using products that are not recommended as lubricants, such as saliva or Vaseline.
• Always close the container after use and do not expose it to sunlight or excessive heat, otherwise it will be damaged.
• If you want to increase the fun and “warm up the engines”, choose products that cool or heat with friction.

A great ally for intimacy

Using a lubricant correctly not only improves the experience, but also promotes intimate health. It is essential to choose the most suitable type for each situation, paying special attention to ingredients that may cause allergies or irritation. Also, remember that it is not only useful during penetration, but also during foreplay.

By knowing how to use it and which type to choose for each situation, intimate gel becomes an essential resource to facilitate connection and mutual enjoyment. Likewise, using it well reflects an attitude of care towards oneself and towards one's partner, guaranteeing a safer and more pleasurable experience.

Reviewed and approved by Dr. Maricela Jiménez López .