The truth is, most women can benefit from using personal lubricant. The right lube will greatly enhance pleasure, and if you use condoms it will keep sex safer too. However, many lubricants can actually upset vaginal pH balance, which can lead to irritation and even infection.
Here’s the low down on selecting body-friendly lubricant to keep yourself healthy and sexy.
Vaginal dryness during sex can occur for many reasons (stress, lack of sleep and hormones, to name a few). And when your system and your vaginal pH are thrown off, the “good” bacteria normally found in your vagina can’t do its job – which is keeping you healthy.
When it comes to condoms, using additional lube certainly makes condoms feel more comfortable, pleasurable and natural. Lubricants may also reduce the risk of your condom breaking during sex.
Simply put, the right lube can prevent irritation, increase vaginal wetness and improve sex. What’s not to like about that?
What is pH level?
pH is a measure of acidity and alkalinity in a water-based environment. The pH scale ranges from zero to 14 with pH 7 as a neutral state (neither acidic nor alkaline). The lower the pH the higher the acidity. A lemon, for example, has a pH level of 2.
The vagina is a naturally acidic environment fully equipped with powerful bacteria that fends off many infections. A healthy vaginal pH level is between 3.5-4.5.
Why is intimate pH important?
A healthy vaginal pH level functions to balance rich quantities of beneficial bacteria. If vaginal pH level is not low enough (not acidic), this imbalance can allow for your body to become more susceptible to infections.
Know Your Lube
Many commercial lubricants are made with more alkaline-based ingredients that can neutralize healthy vaginal pH levels. Using a lubricant with a pH above vaginal pH (pH 4.5) will reduce the natural level of acidity in the vagina, thus increase the risk of infection.
I’ve found that many popular lubes can cause women to become irritated. It’s really important to pay close attention to your body’s signals and use the products that are right for you. Especially as there are great body friendly lubes and condoms that will provide pleasure without discomfort.
Some personal lubricants are pH-matched to mimic your body’s natural chemistry and come in a variety of lube formulas. Look for lubes free of glycerin and petrochemicals. If you have no idea where to start, and are hesitant to invest in an entire bottle, you’re not alone.
RepHresh Vaginal Gel has been designed to help maintain your vagina’s healthy pH level. It is FDA cleared and considered safe to use. Studies have also shown this product is effective at eliminating feminine odor. This product is inserted into the vagina and lasts up to three days.
Most importantly, with any product, always trust your instincts and your body. Any time you have a vaginal odor that you’d consider “strong” or unusual for your body, you should see a medical professional and not rely on over the counter products. Finally these types of products should never be used to prevent nor cure any suspected infection or disease.
Disclosure: This post is part of a collaboration between the makers of RepHresh products and SheKnows
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