Lube 101: How to keep from letting your resources dry up.

Lube 101: How to keep from letting your resources dry up.
by Jenn Ramsey

Why Lube?
Moisture is essential to any kind of sexual activity-rubbing dry skin against even drier skin quickly shows how uncomfortable sex can be without lubrication. Moisture prevents micro-abrasions that can happen from sexual friction in our most sensitive areas, as well as heightens sensation. Jenne from Clitical.com illustrated it well when she described her "finger on lip" test: First run a finger over a dry lip, then lick the lip and try again. You'll understand why moisture is so important. Many sexually active women incorrectly think that one's own vaginal moisture or saliva is enough. However, lube is more than just moisture; it's formulated to be slicker than the body's natural juices and designed to give a bit of padding between surfaces in motion. There are endless reasons for loss of vaginal moisture-most relating to changes in our estrogen levels, which directly affect how moist we are:

Individual Differences: Some women just produce more moisture than others.

Age: As women mature, our bodies produce less estrogen, affecting moisture levels.

Diabetes: Diabetic angioplathy can decrease moisture levels.

Menstrual Cycle: Some women are drier depending upon the frequency and duration of their monthly cycles. Our periods change our estrogen levels, thus affecting how moist we are.

Stress: Even the slightest tension affects sexual response in both men and women.

Drugs: Recreational, over-the-counter, and prescription medications also can decrease lubrication. Even such common medications as birth control pills, cigarettes, and alcohol can reduce natural moisture levels.

Weather: Women who live in more arid regions and don't keep their bodies hydrated can experience additional dryness in their nether regions, as well.

Pregnancy/Childbirth: The hormonal fluctuations involved in having children can create dryness issues.

Medical Problems: Pelvic surgery, diabetes, and nearly any physiological complication can interfere with the body's natural ability to lubricate.

While this list may not seem too big, these aren't all the factors. Travel, frequency of sex, even how much coffee you drink can contribute to complete loss of or reduced self-lubrication. Combine the added benefits of using lube - instead of relying on vaginal fluid or saliva - with the myriad reasons for the body's depletion of natural juices, and you should be reaching for the lube without a second thought.
Repeated sexual activity without using lube can provide a tough lesson on the benefits of over-the-counter lubricants. Anal sex especially can result in painful (if not simply inconvenient) injuries to the anal cavity, because that area produces absolutely no moisture on its own. Tearing is a frequent injury associated with lack of moisture-as is injury of the (inner) involuntary sphincter muscle, which notifies the body when a bowel movement is pending.
Now that we've established that lube is a good and necessary thing, the next question is: Which one to get?

CATEGORIES OF LUBE:
The amount of information about lube in general is vast and confusing, so I'll highlight just the essentials. There are basically three different kids of lube. Below are descriptions of each, with some general tips for quick reference.

Oil-based:
Oil-based lubes were the first recorded lubricants. Egyptians started using olive oil back in the hieroglyphics days. Without better options available, we've been reaching for anything slippery, such as cooking oil and the makeup remover Aboline; all oil-based. Sadly these will cause yeast infections in women and break down latex condoms and toys.
It's only in recently that we've discovered that oil wreaks havoc on the vagina, harboring bacteria and creating yeast infections. Some sex educators therefore reserve oil-based lubes for anal sex and male masturbation. Recent research is also ruling out use for anal sex, as some experts say it can coat the lining of the rectum, providing a haven for many potential infections. Whether or not that's true, the trouble and expense of any type of infection simply isn't worth the risk.
Male masturbation seems to be more suitable for oil-based lubes. The lubes are super slippery and thick without being sticky. There are mineral oil-based lubes, which are liquid at room temperature, hypoallergenic, and clean up easily with soap and water.
Male masturbation seems to be more suitable for oil-based lubes. The lubes are super slippery and thick without being sticky. There are mineral oil-based lubes, which are liquid at room temperature, hypoallergenic, and clean up easily with soap and water.
Petroleum also fits into this category. White or food-grade petroleum is what products sold as sexual lubricants use; yellow has more impurities and is not good for the body. Petroleum is solid at room temperature, hypoallergenic, more slippery than mineral oil, and doesn't clean up very easily-although you can wipe off as much as possible and call the rest "moisturizer."
Common ingredients: Mineral oil, petroleum.

Water-based:
Lube as we know it descended from a cellulose/water combination called Surgilube, released in the 1950s and still commonly used today for "medical applications." Translation: one-time insertion. Astroglide was one of the first lubes designed strictly for sexual play. What about KY-Jelly, you may ask? It was designed to aid with medical examinations, and it tends to gum up quickly when used for sex play; although since its creation, KY specifically has designed lubes for sexual activity.
The majority of lubes are water based. They are great, all-purpose lubes because they are condom safe, generally don't stain (depending upon if coloring has been added), and can be flavored easily. Because they are water based, they dehydrate (dry up), but the slippery ingredients still remain; a quick re-wetting of the lubed area and you're back in business.
Water-based lubes are thicker than silicone lube because water molecules are thicker than silicone molecules, so water-based moisturizers often are recommended for anal sex (although some people prefer silicone lube because it doesn't dry up as quickly). Water-based lubes clean up easily with soap and water, although some of the better water-based lubes will be absorbed into your skin and moisturize, as well.
The only across-the-board disadvantage to water-based lube is that it dehydrates quicker than other types of lubes. Most water-based lubes contain glycerin, which can break down into sugar when inside the vagina, causing yeast infections for women who are prone to them. Unlike silicone lube, which is made out of inert ingredients, water-based lubes can contain ingredients that may react with the body, depending upon the body's sensitivity to glycerin-based lubes and lubes that contain parabens.
Common ingredients: Glycerin or plant cellulose; Methyl, butyl, ethyl and propyl parabens (preservatives, bonding agents and antiseptics); propylene glycol (thickening agent and preservative).

Silicone-based:
Silicone is clear, thinner, and feels slick. If you just touch the cap of the lube bottle, you'll feel how slippery it is without having to put it on your skin. Although it tends to be more expensive, a little bit goes a long way, so a bottle of silicone lube will last twice as long as a similarly sized bottle of water-based lube.
Silicone molecules are smaller than water molecules; therefore, there's less padding. Personal tastes dictate whether this is a good or bad thing. Because silicone isn't a naturally occurring substance, it doesn't absorb like water-based lube. When you factor in that the body expels foreign substances, silicone lube is actually out of the body's system faster than you might think. Silicone is inert, which means it won't change the pH balance or react with the body's chemistry-a big plus if one is prone to yeast infections.
Because it's not water soluble, it's also the perfect choice for using in water. But, be careful: It will make the floor of your shower slippery, too.
Silicone lube also is great for massages because it doesn't dry up quickly (try using it as a shaving cream or for making your latex clothes shine). Soap and water will wash it off with a little effort.
The only disadvantages related to silicone-based lubes are its potential to stain or ruin other silicone-based toys. If you spill it on your sheets, it will leave an oily ring that will take plenty of time to wash out. Also, the only thing that bonds to silicone is silicone; so using silicone lube with lower-quality silicone toys can gum up the surface. A good rule of thumb: If a toy smells, it's not 100-percent silicone). "Platinum" silicone or medical-grade quality silicone shouldn't have any issues. If you are unsure what type of toy you've got, do a spot test on a small area. If it's lower quality, it will immediately gum up.
Common ingredients: Cyclomethicone, dimethiconaol, silicone, dimeticone copolyol, all silicone liquids that combine together to create inert silicone lube.
For more information on specific ingredients used in lubes, check out this article in its entirety on Jenn's site, HiddenSelf.com.