Mic.com | The right type of lube for whichever kind of sex you're having

Looking for the right type of lube for whichever kind of sex you're having?

I believe it was Colin Powell who said, “Trust is the glue that holds people together, and is the lubricant that keeps an organization moving forward.” I’m certain he was not talking about the gooey stuff you get in the unmentionables aisle in your local drugstore. But I still think the impassioned statement works when we’re talking about sex — which also holds people together, if you will, moving forward toward a goal. Lube really does keep us moving forward, and it’s a super underrated bedroom accoutrement, mostly because people aren’t aware of its versatility.

Just what is the right type of lube?

Any lubricant — natural or not — has the potential to irritate your tissue, so always apply a few drops on your forearm to make sure there is no immediate sensitivity,"

says Heather Jeffcoat, a doctor of physical therapy that specializes in treating women, men, and non-binary folks with painful sex. She talks about the right type of lube every day with patients, and she even wrote a book on achieving pleasurable sex for those who find it more challenging — so she truly knows her stuff.

If you do have trouble getting wet for any reason, or your vaginal lubrication doesn’t last very long, Jeffcoat also suggests a thick, gel-like water-based lubricant like Slippery Stuff or Uber Lube.

Anal Sex

Everyone has a butt. Thus, everyone has the capability to partake in a bit of peach entry from time to time (or all the time, if you’re lucky). “Any lubricant that be used vaginally should be able to be used with anal sexual activity as well, and without the concern for a certain pH,” Eilber says, adding that it’s important to remember that the anal canal does not produce natural lubricant, so frequent reapplication may be necessary.

Of the many experts I spoke to, all suggested the same thing: a silicone-based lube — and I concur. “Lubrication for anal penetration needs to be longer lasting since it doesn’t lubricate like vaginal tissue. Pjur’s Back Door, which is silicone-based, works well for this,” she tells me.

It’s also important to note that certain kinds of toys warrant the right type of lube — silicone lubes should not be used with silicone toys, Eilber tells me. A suggestion for people who are using their fingers, thicker is also the way to go.

Using a thicker gel for digital play is nice, so you can get the lubricant where you want it. Lubricants that are too liquid tend to go everywhere you don’t want it to,” Jeffcoat says.

If you are still curious about the right type of lube for the sex you are having, continue to the full article here.