Nice Lubes for Menopause, From Somebody Who’s Tried Extra Than 100

Although vaginal dryness is a standard symptom of perimenopause and menopause, it might nonetheless be irritating and painful.

First, let’s break down why it occurs. “Menopause brings a couple of important hormonal shift,” together with a drop in estrogen manufacturing, Amanda Olson, DPT, a bodily therapist who makes a speciality of pelvic flooring and sexual well being and the writer of Restoring The Pelvic Flooring, tells SELF. “Estrogen performs a essential position in pure lubrication, vaginal tissue elasticity, and blood circulate—so, as ranges decline, the vaginal partitions can grow to be thinner, drier, and fewer in a position to retain moisture,” she says.

Additionally key? Hydration ranges. “Menopause will be accompanied by signs like sizzling flashes and night time sweats, which may result in dehydration,” board-certified ob-gyn Sarah de la Torre, MD, tells SELF. “Dehydration impacts all mucosal tissues within the physique, together with the vagina, contributing to dryness.” Sure medicines—together with antidepressants and contraception drugs, which are sometimes prescribed to fight different menopause signs—could make the difficulty worse, she provides.

Much less pure lubrication might result in friction, irritation, and discomfort throughout intercourse, Dr. Olson says. Fortunately, utilizing the appropriate lube may also help: “Retailer-bought lubricants can dramatically improve consolation and pleasure, serving to to mitigate any dryness or discomfort,” she explains.

Beneath, discover our favourite lubes for menopause that come extremely beneficial by medical doctors and intercourse consultants—plus, recommendation on how to decide on one of the best one on your bedside assortment.

Our prime picks

What to contemplate when purchasing for lube

Earlier than you add a lube to your digital cart, you’ll wish to ensure it might meet your distinctive wants and preferences. Right here’s what to remember as you store.

How we picked the lubes on this checklist

First, we spoke with board-certified ob-gyns and some different consultants to get their suggestions for easy-to-use lubes that really feel nice and will not irritate your pores and skin. Then, we researched choices from standard manufacturers like Cake, Stripes, and extra, paying particular consideration to their ingredient lists. I additionally included a few of my private favorites—and as somebody who’s examined over 100 lubes, I do know what makes one good (and never so good).

Store one of the best lubes for menopause

Browse expert-recommended picks from prime manufacturers beneath.

Uberlübe Luxurious Lubricant

Professionals

• Easy, long-lasting formulation
• Accommodates soothing Vitamin E
• Modern bottle
• Versatile
• Unscented and latex-compatible

Cons

• Can’t be used with silicone toys or polyurethane condoms

A silicone-based product with simply 4 elements, “Uberlübe is without doubt one of the most body-friendly lubes available on the market,” Dr. Howard says. The formulation accommodates vitamin E, an ingredient that may assist nourish and situation delicate pores and skin.

One other perk? You could not need to reapply this decide: “It’s very lengthy lasting,” she says. And because it isn’t moist or sticky, it received’t have you ever making a beeline straight for the lavatory to scrub up, she provides. This multipurpose gel may even be used on different physique components, in keeping with Dr. Howard—easy it onto your thighs or underarms to stop chafing, and even strive it as a hair wax (now that’s what we name a wise purchase).

Stripes Oh My Glide

Professionals

• Modern bottle
• Non-sticky, long-lasting formulation
• Perfume- and flavor-free
• Pump dispenser is simple to make use of

Cons

• Can stain sheets and skivvies
• Not secure to make use of with latex boundaries
• Expensive

Dr. de la Torre recommends that individuals in perimenopause search out a lubricant with coconut oil. “It is naturally moisturizing, mild, and an incredible choice for many who want one thing that’s skin-friendly and unlikely to trigger irritation,” she says. Stripes Oh My Glide is made with a mix of oils, together with coconut, avocado, and castor seed, that works extra time to revive moisture and relieve discomfort.

The formulation is flavor- and fragrance-free—plus, it stays slippery with out getting too sticky. “That is the right lubricant as a result of it feels fully pure!” one Stripes Magnificence reviewer wrote. “It lasts lengthy and actually helps when wanted!” (Fast reminder: Oil-based lubes can’t be used with latex boundaries—so should you’re utilizing condoms together with your accomplice, strive one of many different choices on this checklist.)

Coconu Oil-Based mostly Natural Lubricant

Professionals

• Moisturizing coconut oil base
• Free from many potential irritants
• Works with most intercourse toys
• Amazon buyers like the graceful texture and impartial style

Cons

• Not appropriate with latex boundaries
• Expensive

Coconu’s oil-based lube is filled with nourishing oils and free from doubtlessly aggravating alcohol, petroleum, parabens, gluten, fragrances, and dyes. It’s considered one of Lisa Finn’s prime picks for solo or partnered play (and he or she confirms it’s appropriate with toys too). A number of issues to notice, in keeping with Amazon buyers: It feels tremendous comfortable (nearly silky), doesn’t have a lot of a style or odor to it, and just a little goes a very great distance.

Replens Silky Easy Silicone Private Lubricant

Professionals

• Works with all boundaries
• No style or odor
• Finances-friendly

Cons

• Texture could also be too skinny for some
• Not to be used with silicone toys

Mary Jane Minkin, MD, an ob-gyn at Yale-New Haven Hospital, recommends Replens to SELF for its extremely moisturizing formulation. The silicone base has a thinner really feel that’s related in texture to some water-based choices. Whereas it received’t supply the identical cushioning as extra gel-like lubes, it’s very best for many who actually wish to really feel their accomplice.

Good Clear Love Virtually Bare

Professionals

• Secure to make use of with all toys and boundaries
• Delicate-skin pleasant
• Thicker formulation
• Anal-safe

Cons

• Gentle lemon-vanilla scent might not attraction to all

This water-based lube was beforehand beneficial to SELF for these with delicate pores and skin by Rosara Torrisi, PhD, an AASECT-certified intercourse therapist and the founding director on the Lengthy Island Institute of Intercourse Remedy. It’s latex-safe and made with pH-balancing elements that may assist restore your vagina’s microbiome.

I like how pure and cozy this lube feels—I nearly all the time overlook I’ve slathered it on. Additionally good: It’s infused with aloe vera that soothes and gently moisturizes your pores and skin, Dr. de la Torre says.

Sliquid Satin

Professionals

• Appropriate with toys and boundaries
• Thick, for a water-based lubricant
• Tasteless and odorless
• Finances-friendly
• Bigger bottle than others on this checklist

Cons

• Some Amazon reviewers say it dries shortly

Sliquid is to store-bought lubricant what Hitachi is to vibrators—learn: well-trusted. The model’s Satin formulation is a water-based choice that has a extra gel-like consistency.

“Its thickness permits it to carry to the partitions of the physique, offering a cushion that may make penetration extra snug,” Finn says. “Satin additionally accommodates aloe, so it may be used as a moisturizing lubricant or as a vaginal moisturizer outdoors of intercourse,” she provides. Better of all, you don’t want a lot to get the job executed.

#LubeLife Extremely Slick Easy Silicone Lube

Professionals

• Tremendous thick formulation
• Works for vaginal and anal play
• Secure to make use of with latex boundaries
• Finances-friendly

Cons

• Can stain bedsheets, in keeping with Amazon buyers

Good news: Lube doesn’t need to value an arm and a leg to be actually good, Catherine Hansen, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn and head of menopause at Pandia Well being, tells SELF. This budget-friendly, silicone-based one accommodates simply two elements (moisturizing dimethicone and dimethiconol, one other sort of slippery silicone) that work collectively to make intercourse extra snug.

It’s vaginal- and anal-safe, and you should utilize it with latex condoms. Simply maintain it away from any silicone intercourse toys—and word that it could stain your sheets, in keeping with Amazon reviewers.

Playground Bare Love

Professionals

• Accommodates hydrating elements
• Free from potential irritants and fragrances
• Appropriate with intercourse toys and boundaries
• Finances-friendly

Cons

• Some Playground reviewers say it dries shortly

Analysis reveals that individuals going via menopause could also be vulnerable to bacterial vaginosis (BV) as a result of as your hormone ranges drop, it’s simpler for the steadiness of fine and dangerous micro organism in your vagina to get thrown out of whack. That means: You could discover that your earlier go-to lubricant now causes irritation or a response.

If you happen to’re searching for a brand new one to strive, this one from Playground is made with hydrating hyaluronic acid, moisturizing vitamin E, and citric acid (which helps steadiness your vagina’s pH). We just like the modern bottle and easy-to-use pump—Playground buyers just like the slippery consistency and delicate skin-friendly formulation.

Cake Toy Marvel

Professionals

• Thick, jelly-like consistency
• Will not drip in every single place
• Additionally nice for anal intercourse

Cons

• Gentle scent might not attraction to all

Toy Marvel is a long-lasting lube that is designed for use with intercourse toys—together with these produced from silicone. After testing this one out, I seen that it is very thick and jelly-like (much like the consistency of shampoo), so it will not drip throughout you, your accomplice, or your sheets. Bonus: It’s additionally anal-safe, and you will not need to continuously reapply it (take it from me).

Lubify Luxe Lube Neroli

Professionals

• Handy pump prime
• Airless tube is nice for journey
• Method accommodates a number of moisturizing elements

Cons

• Scent is refined, however might not attraction to all
• On the pricier facet

Luxe Lube Neroli “is a really well-formulated silicone-based lubricant that I extremely suggest,” says Dr. McBride. It is made with hero elements squalene, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E to assuage dryness, plus it has a handy pump prime (and is available in a small tube that’ll match properly in your nightstand).

If you happen to’re searching for a lube you may take with you on the go, this one is a pleasant alternative—the tube is airless, so it is much less prone to drip or explode in your suitcase. Simply word that neroli and cedarwood oils give it a slight scent.

Let’s Spin Intimacy Gel

Professionals

• Accommodates hydrating hyaluronic acid and aloe
• Non-sticky formulation
• Simple to make use of pump dispenser
• Modern bottle

Cons

This lube comes extremely beneficial by Dr. de la Torre for its hyaluronic acid- and aloe-rich formulation, “which soothes and nourishes to calm irritation and promote consolation,” she says. “It additionally washes off simply and received’t go away any residue in your pores and skin or sheets.” We’re followers of the simple to make use of pump prime, nonsticky really feel, and fancy bottle (completely well worth the funding, in our opinion).

pJur Again Door Silicone Anal Lubricant

Professionals

• Is available in a bigger bottle than most different lubes on this checklist
• Waterproof
• Shouldn’t dry down cheesy

Cons

• Can’t be used with silicone butt plugs
• Costly

Consultants have beneficial pJur’s anal lube to us previously for its reliability: “It stays put, which is strictly what you need once you’re within the second,” Emily Could, PhD, an AASECT-certified intercourse therapist and author at Personal Sugar Membership, advised SELF. That features within the tub or bathe—the silicone-based formulation is waterproof.

It additionally has an incredible texture and is simple to make use of, in keeping with Lovehoney buyers: “So good and slippery, I like the silky really feel of it!” one wrote. “I additionally like that it isn’t tremendous cheesy after it dries both.”