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This probably isn’t news to you at this point, but both your body and your vulva change throughout every stage of your reproductive health, including menopause. With that, there may be some additional changes in your sex life. If you’ve already reached menopause (meaning you haven’t had your period in over a year), then you probably already understand where we’re going with this. While yes, it sucks to know that physically, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms such as vaginal dryness during sex, also know that it doesn’t mean the end of intimacy, at all.
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Best Lubes for Menopause, at a Glance
- Best Silicone-Based Lube: Sliquid Silver Luxury Silicone-Based Lubricant, $40
- Best Waterproof Silicone-Based Lube: Wet Platinum Lube, $29
- Best Water-Based Lube: Bloomi Smooth Personal Lube, $10
- Best Oil-Based Lube: Foria Awaken Arousal Oil with CBD, $48
- Best Gel Lube: Replens Long Lasting Estrogen Free Vaginal Moisturizer, $13
- Best Organic Lube: Maude Shine Organic Lubricant, $20
- Best Prescription-Strength Lube: Premarin, $125 (estimated insurance price)
- Best pH-Balanced Lube: LOLA Personal Lubricant, $14
- Best Lube for Sensitive or Easily Irritated Skin: Uberlube, $30
- Best Moisturizing Lube for Vaginal Atrophy: Hyalo Gyn, $30
- Best Non-Staining Lube: Champ Water-Based Personal Lubricant, $18
There are ways to combat sexual and intimate health symptoms associated with post-menopause, and one of those ways is experimenting with some seriously amazing lubricants. Keep on reading if you’re looking to get it on and want to know more!
How Menopause Changes Sex
The transition from premenopause to post-menopause can be pretty obvious to you, especially in the vulva area. For instance, you might notice your vagina is drier than usual in general. That signals that “the vaginal tissue that normally is very estrogen-rich is decreasing in terms of that estrogen content,” says Taraneh Shirazian, MD, a board-certified gynecologist at NYU Langone, who specializes in menopause, and director of Global Women’s Health in NYU’s College of Global Public Health.
Less estrogen can also mean painful sex without proper lubrication. So, you’re going to want to seek assistance from a lube that works well. Now that you’ve reached menopause, you should also know that not just any lube will do the trick.
Some Lubes Work Better Than Others for Menopause
You typically want to seek a lubricant that better clings to the walls of your vagina, advises Dr. Shirazian. In other words, you’ll need something that isn’t going to wash away quickly and doesn’t need to be continuously applied. However, it’s totally okay to reapply as needed! This translates to silicone-based lubes and those that contain hyaluronic acid.
If you’re not on the drier side, however, but do still require assistance from a lubricant, Dr. Shirazian recommends those that are water-based. Just be sure to avoid those that contain chlorhexidine, an ingredient known to kill lactobacilli, bacteria necessary to prevent infection and maintain vaginal health. You may also want to avoid glycerin, a common water-based ingredient that can pose as an irritant.
Hormonal Remedies Are Also Available
In addition to using a lubricant, you might also want to consider a topical estrogen that comes in the form of a cream, suppository, ring, and tablet. Estrogen topicals may be the most effective treatment because they replace what’s missing in postmenopausal women: estrogen, says Howard Zacur, MD, PhD, director of reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellowships and professor of gynecology and obstetrics at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland.
If you want to give this method a try, discuss options with your OB-GYN, who will write you a prescription if you both decide this option is best for you. If you also want to shop for an over-the-counter product, we’ve done some pre-shopping for you. Without further ado, here are our best lube picks for sex after menopause.
Sliquid Silver Luxury Silicone Intimate Lubricant
Sliquid Silver Luxury silicone-based lubricant has a long-lasting formulation that’s great for menopause-related vaginal dryness. This Lovehoney favorite is gentle on your delicate parts, too — it’s hypoallergenic, non-toxic, vegan and fragrance-free. And since it’s waterproof, you can even use it in the shower. More sensitive people tend to prefer silicone-based lube. As one reviewer put it, “I struggle to use water-based lube or even vaginal moisturisers, as they always sting or burn. This lube is perfect as it doesn’t contain water, so I find it doesn’t sting. It also doesn’t get sticky and has more of a slick texture that doesn’t get absorbed very quickly, so it lasts longer too!”.
Pros:
- Long-lasting
- Intense lubrication
- Clean and hypoallergenic
- Doesn’t get sticky
Cons:
- Can’t use with silicone toys
- Some customers say cleanup can be tricky
Type: Silicone-based
Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol
Maude Shine Organic Aloe-Based Personal Lubricant
As its name implies, Maude Shine organic lubricant is free of icky stuff like parabens, fragrances and glycerin. The water-based lube can be a pH-balanced personal lubricant or a handy way to make partnered sex hotter (and wetter), as its safe to use with condoms, on bare skin or with toys, and won’t get sticky. Sizes include an 8-ounce pump bottle and a 4-ounce pump bottle. “This lube lasts a long time, it’s not irritating, it’s not sticky, and it just plain old works. The little bottle I got lasts way longer than any other larger bottle of another product because it only requires a few drops,” wrote a fan.
Pros:
- Organic and hypoallergenic
- Cleans up easily
- pH-balanced
- Not sticky
- Can use with toys and condoms
Cons:
May not last as long as silicone-based lube
Some sensitive reviewers say it burns
Type: Water-based
Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propanediol, Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract, Gluconolactone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Hemp Seed Extract, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid
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