Using sexual lubricants during sexual intercourse, masturbation, and sex toys enhances most people's experience. The slippery lubricant adds to any sexual encounter with a partner or when you are engaged in self-pleasure. It can also help those women whose bodies do not produce enough natural lubricant.
Studies of women that use sex toys report that women found using a lubricant with their favorite vibrator greatly enhanced the experience. With all the new male sex toys available today, the same increased pleasure can be enjoyed by men when adding a lube when using many sex toys. Lubrication makes toys glide sensually in, out, and about. However, be sure to choose a lube that does not damage you or your sex toys.
It is very important to use the correct lubricant for sexual activity and other sexual items. Specific lubricants disintegrate condoms, others will destroy sex toys, work better for anal sex, and others prefer masturbation.
There are four types of lubricants: Water-based, petroleum-based, those made from natural oils, and silicone-based. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Water-based Lubes:
These are the most versatile, safe, and popular lubricants for all situations. Typically made of deionized water, glycerin, and propylene glycol, they are safe to use with condoms and all forms of barrier birth control. Water-based lubricants rarely irritate, and they do not stain clothing. They are safe to ingest, and they come in both flavored and unflavored varieties using one of the many flavors available that can add to the pleasure of oral sex. They tend to dry out over extended periods, but a little water will get you slick again.
Petroleum-based lubes:
These include Vaseline products, mineral oil products, and baby oil. Unfortunately, these products all destroy latex; they should not be used with condoms, cervical caps, or diaphragms. Also, they can inflame and irritate the vagina. They even stain clothing. Petroleum-based lubes tend to last well, so men often use them during masturbation.
Natural oil-based lubes:
These are derived from natural oil sources such as nuts or vegetables. Like petroleum-based lubes, they too destroy latex (condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps) and stain clothing. However, they do have one key advantage over petroleum-based lubes: they do not cause vaginal irritation. This makes them excellent for female [and male] masturbation, unprotected vaginal intercourse, and massage.
Silicone-based lubes:
These have the benefits of water-based lubricants with the addition of being waterproof to be used in the bath or the Jacuzzi. Also, they tend to lubricate longer than water-based lubes. Silicone is excellent for Anal Sex. Silicone will not hurt latex, so they are safe with condoms and other forms of barrier birth control; however, they can affect adult toys made from silicone.
So, pick a personal lubricant that's compatible with your sexual activity and any birth control or sex toys you are using. Many companies are manufacturing each type of sexual lubricant, so if you do not like the consistency, scent, or other qualities of one lube, you have plenty of other choices.
Enjoy yourself!