Live, Love, Lube

Is lube really necessary?  The answer to this might surprise you... YES!  

Using a good lubricant during foreplay, masturbation, intercourse, and toy play makes it all more pleasurable.  Lube cuts down on friction in ways that our own natural lubrication can't.  Without it, you can get microscopic burns and tears, leaving yourself vulnerable to infections.  Everyone should use lube every time as part of their safer sex practices.

Now, don't start stressing that your partner isn't pleased or turned on by what you are doing simply because I suggest using lube.  You see, women are more like ovens, where men are more like microwaves... it takes us longer to get warmed up.  It is a common misconception that how wet a woman is shows how turned on she is.  This is simply not true.  Some women are wet when they aren't aroused at all, while others are relatively dry when they are extremely turned on.  Ovulation, menopause, and medications (especially antihistamines) can all affect how wet a woman is.

So what kind of lube is the right kind?  The answer to that question really depends on the situation.  

Water-based lubricants are the most commonly sought after lubes.  They are completely safe to use with condoms and toys.  The downfall to this type of lube is that it does tend to get absorbed more quickly, leaving it feeling sticky and tacky to the touch.  As a result of this absorption, you will go through a bottle of it faster than other types of lube.  Water-based lube is easily washed off and is generally non-staining.

Silicone-based lubricants are great to use in the shower, pool, or anywhere you want to play in the water.  They are long lasting and concentrated.  Use only a small amount since a little goes a long way.  Unlike water-based lubes, silicone isn't absorbed by your sensitive mucus membranes.

Don't use silicone lube on silicone toys!  Different grades of silicone break each other down and can eat away at surface of your toy (like a silicone cannibal).

Anal lubricants are formulated to be thicker and longer lasting than other lubes.