With this in mind, here are four common sexual health myths, so you can be properly informed, reducing the risk of catching sexually transmitted infections, and keeping your sexual health protected.
One of the most common myths we hear is that you can’t get pregnant during your period. Even though it’s less likely, compared to other times, it’s still possible, especially for those that have shorter or irregular cycles.
The menstrual cycle involves shedding of the uterine lining (period), followed by the release of an egg (ovulation), ready for potential pregnancy. Sperm can live in the fallopian tubes for up to five days, so if ovulation happens soon after a period ends, there’s still a chance for fertilisation to occur. As well as this, irregular cycles make it harder to know the most fertile days, which increases the risk of unintended pregnancy.
Understanding ovulation patterns and the fertile window can help you make informed choices about contraception and sexual health, helping to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy.
Another common sexual health myth is that you are unable to get a sexually transmitted infection from oral sex. This misconception is incorrect and can lead to the spread of infections like chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis. Even though the chance of catching a sexually transmitted infection from oral sex is lower than vaginal or anal sex, it can still happen.
During oral sex, the risks of catching a sexually transmitted infection are higher if there are cuts, sores or direct skin-to-skin with infected areas. If an individual performing oral sex has a cut in their mouth or the person receiving oral sex has genital sores, the risk of transmission can increase.
In order to reduce the risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection during oral sex, it’s important to use a condom or dental dam, helping not only to keep your sexual health safe, but also your partners.
Many people think that erectile dysfunction only affects older men, but that’s not true. Issues with getting an erection or keeping an erection can occur at any age, and is influenced by various factors, including physical health, lifestyle or psychological wellbeing.
While age does increase the risk of erectile dysfunction, due to changes in blood flow and hormonal levels, younger men can also experience this condition, especially if they are experiencing stress, relationship problems or have underlying health conditions such as diabetes.
Therefore, erectile dysfunction can affect anyone, no matter their age. It’s important to talk openly about sexual health and seek support from a doctor if you have any concerns. Making healthier choices in life can also help with erectile dysfunction, such as eating healthier, exercising and managing stress levels.
There’s a common misconception that using two condoms, or commonly known as ‘double bagging’ offers better protection against sexually transmitted infections or unintended pregnancy. Some people believe that by adding an extra layer of protection it can reduce the risk of the condom breaking or leakage during sexual activity.
However, this is not true. Using two condoms at the same time can actually increase the likelihood of the condom breaking. When two condoms are used together, it creates friction between them both, leading to higher chances of tearing or slipping off during intercourse. Therefore, using two condoms can reduce the effectiveness of the condom and increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy.
Instead of double bagging, it’s important to use condoms correctly. Condoms come in all different shapes and sizes, from trim to king size, so there is a condom to fit every penis. Not only this, condoms are up to 99% effective on their own - reducing the need to double up.
]]>Adding flavoured lube to oral sex isn’t just about making it more exciting - it’s like turning a pleasurable experience into a flavourful journey. Think of it as trying different flavours of ice cream; each flavour brings a unique taste that increases anticipation and satisfaction. In the same way, flavoured lubricant can also introduce variety and surprise into your intimate moments.
The sensation of flavoured lube can engage your taste buds in their own sensory adventure. During intimate moments, we often focus on touch and what we can see, however taste can add a playful element to the sexual experience. Whether you prefer the taste of cool and refreshing minty fresh lubricant or the sweet, succulent essence of strawberry lube - adding flavoured lubricant can enhance your oral sex experience through tantalising the senses. If you prefer a different flavoured experience every time you have oral sex - our flavoured lubricant 144 pack is the perfect choice - and also features banana and cookies and cream for a more decadent experience.
It’s easy to fall into a sexual rut sometimes within our sex-life - and adding a new twist can reignite the spark and add a new sense of connection and excitement between partners. Flavoured lube is a good way of breaking away from the ordinary routine, adding a piece of playfulness and exploration into your oral experience. Trying something new creates a shared experience that adds more depth to the connection where you feel free to express desires and fantasies, increasing trust, communication and sexual pleasure.
Adding flavoured lube into your oral sex moments helps increase the lines of communication with your partner. Being able to talk openly about which flavours you both like, which ones you would like to try and any worries or concerns can foster a deeper sense of connection and intimacy between you both. These kinds of open conversations are not just about choosing flavours you both like, it’s about creating a more satisfying sexual experience, where you both feel more open in sharing your desires, bringing you more emotionally closer whilst increasing the anticipation and excitement within your sexual experience.
Flavoured lube is not just about adding a taste sensation to oral sex, it also makes oral sex more comfy and pleasurable. Water-based lubricants go beyond merely adding additional lubrication, they also play an important part in reducing friction, making the whole experience more comfortable and smoother.
Stress, hormones and medication are just a few things that can impact on natural lubrication, potentially leading to discomfort or pain during intimate times. Using lubricant can become a simple and effective solution to remove any discomfort and allow you both to focus on one another. Not only that, adding that little bit of extra moisture makes those intimate moments more pleasurable and satisfying for you both.
Flavoured lube is like the exciting secret ingredient to making oral sex more satisfying. The varying flavours of lube creates a heightened sense of arousal by adding new tastes that stimulate the senses. They add a novel sensation to the experience, helping to keep arousal levels high, whilst creating a special connection that brings both partners closer. Our flavoured lubes come in four different flavours; for those with a sweet tooth, there’s succulent strawberry, for those who love something a little more tingling, there’s minty fresh. For those that want something a little more indulgent, there’s cookies and cream or for something a little more exotic, there’s banana.
Therefore, when you want to spice things up in the bedroom, flavoured lubes are your secret weapon for a more exciting and arousing intimate journey,
]]>Therefore, to start 2024 with an exciting leap - we’re on hand to guide you into setting your empowering New Year sexual wellbeing resolutions for the exciting new year ahead. Here’s five of our favourite New Year's resolutions to help improve your sexual well-being.
Regular sexual health screens are an important part of your health and wellbeing, in the same way a medical check-up is. Having a regular sexual health screen helps protect you from the long-term effects of sexually transmitted infections, whilst allowing you the opportunity to discuss any sexual health concerns with a professional. Regular screening allows the early detection of potential concerns whilst being able to access treatment much sooner - an essential part of maintaining good sexual wellbeing. We recommend having a sexual health screen annually or after every new partner - therefore, to kick off 2024 with a bang, one of your New Year's resolutions could be to book yourself into a sexual health clinic for a vital sexual health screen.
One of the most simple New Year resolutions we can make is prioritising regular use of condoms. Condoms act as a barrier between sexual fluids from being transferred, reducing the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection, whilst preventing unintended pregnancy. There’s a false assumption that condoms are often uncomfortable, but that’s only because the wrong size condom is worn. Condoms are extremely comfortable and come in different sizes, flavours and sensations, so there’s always a condom to help satisfy your sexual need. If you’re unsure of the condom size you require, you can use our shape and size measurer to help you pick the perfect size condom. Therefore, this New Year, make condom use a priority and protect your sexual wellbeing.
Lubricants are one of those sexual products that can revolutionise your sex-life. Lubricants can help reduce the risk of friction and discomfort during intimate moments, making the sexual experience far more satisfying and pleasurable. Not only that, it adds a new dimension to your sexual experience, depending on what type of lubricant you use. Our strawberry lubricant is a perfect addition for oral sex, whilst our mint lubricant works well for oral sex, masturbation, sex or anal play - and offers a tingly sensation. Our lubricating jelly is specially formulated for women from pre-to-post menopause, and our light lube is a perfect allrounder. By exploring the different lubricants available, it can open doors to a whole new sexual experience contributing to our sexual wellbeing.
Understanding the right contraception can sometimes feel overwhelming with so many options available. Therefore, consider making one of your New Year resolutions for 2024 to dedicate some time researching the different methods of contraception available. Whether you are wanting a long-acting reversible contraception, such as the intrauterine device (IUD) or the intrauterine system (IUS), prefer a daily contraceptive pill, or would like to use condoms during sexual activity - it’s time to get clear on what contraception is available and which one best suits your lifestyle and needs. Choosing the right contraception is important in protecting your sexual health and sexual wellbeing, and when you're caught in the heat of the moment - you can feel reassured that your sexual health is being protected.
When you’re in a long-term relationship, it can be too easy to stop appreciating one another and forget about romance and passion. Therefore, if you find your relationship has gone a little stagnant - perhaps 2024 is the year to reignite the passion back into your love life. Start by creating moments of connection through surprise gestures or planned date nights - leaving a note of appreciation or planning a thoughtful surprise can help to rekindle the emotional connection. Communicating your desires, feelings and actively listening to your partner is an important part of any relationship, and without it can sometimes leave us feeling disconnected from one another. Therefore, if you’re feeling unhappy and dissatisfied in your relationship - it’s time to make some positive changes and add a bit of romance into your love life.
]]>Mistletoe is usually a symbol of Christmas romance, however, how do you steal a kiss without attracting a crowd of eager onlookers? Being able to find a balance between festive traditions, maintaining connection and intimacy and letting the playful spirit of the season add a spark to your holiday stay can sometimes prove challenging.
However, we’re on hand to help. One playful approach to maintaining your Christmas romance is to turn mistletoe encounters into an exciting game. Create a secret signal with your partner to initiate a sneaky smooch under the mistletoe, whilst no-one is looking. Not only will both of you be eagerly anticipating the next move, but also it’s a fun way of increasing the intimacy and connection between you both. By the time you find yourselves alone, the anticipation will likely lead to a burning desire to take things one step further…
Finding a moment to connect with your partner during the holiday season can be like searching for a candy cane in a Christmas stocking. Discovering how to maintain intimacy and connection through physical touch can sometimes be difficult, especially when surrounded by family and friends.
Just like you would excitedly push your hand into the Christmas stocking with anticipation, exploring the contents, let your touch add a similar curiosity and desire with your partner. Whether you indulge in a playful tickle, a gentle caress, or a satisfying squeeze - the act of physical affection can become a secret language that can help build connection and intimacy between you and your partner.
Let the magic of Christmas become infused with the magic of touch. Snuggle up under shared blankets by the fireside, savour the sweet smell of Christmas sweet-treats in the air, and when you’re not secretly enjoying one another's touch - you can delight in feeling the stockings together - a moment that can help deepen your connection in the holiday spirit.
As the evening draws to an end, the longing to touch one another will feel so strong that as soon as you and your partner are alone together, you will both eagerly anticipate touching every fibre of one another’s body - leading to a more satisfying sexual experience and intense orgasm.
Open and honest communication is an important part of any successful relationship, and especially true during the festivities of Christmas, when chaos and stress can sometimes cause friction in relationships. One of the gifts you can give to your relationships this Christmas is the gift of communication - to open up and listen to one another is a good way of building intimacy and connection.
Is there a sexual desire you’ve been anticipating trying? A new condom or lubricant? Perhaps the anticipation of being caught in a compromising position sparks excitement? Could you turn the art of lovemaking into an exciting game, in how discreet you can be, when staying over at friends or relatives houses?
Through opening up dialogue between yourself and your partner, you can strengthen the bond of intimacy and connection with your partner for a pathway of shared exploitation. Each conversation becomes an opportunity to enhance your sex-life and deepen connection leading to more pleasurable orgasms. Therefore, to celebrate your Christmas romance, unwrap the gift of communication and let it guide you into a new realm of sensations, excitement and intense pleasure…
]]>Millions of people are affected by chronic illness worldwide, suffering from a range of conditions, such as; diabetes, crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue and many others. Having a chronic condition can not only cause a range of physical and emotional challenges, but chronic illness can also affect our sex-life and intimacy in relationships.
Let’s explore how chronic illness affects our sex-life with five ways to manage sexual challenges when living with a chronic illness.
Physical limitation
Many chronic illnesses can cause people to experience physical limitations in their day-to-day life, which can make sexual activity difficult or uncomfortable. Chronic pain is often a common companion to those with a long-term health condition, and engaging in sexual activity whilst in chronic pain can be incredibly challenging. As well as this, a lot of people with chronic illness also suffer from fatigue, leaving those with a chronic illness too exhausted to engage in sexual activity. Finally, there may be reduced mobility, so engaging in sexual activity may become more difficult that at one time felt a lot more simple. Therefore, there can be a lot of sexual challenges to manage when dealing with a chronic illness.
Medication side effects
Medication can be a life-line for those suffering from a chronic illness, however, many medications can come with potential side effects, which may impact on sexual function or desire, causing additional sexual challenges that may need to be managed. Some of these common side effects may include; decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness, or difficulty reaching orgasm.
Emotional and psychological challenges
Not only do physical limitations and medication side effects impact on maintaining a healthy sex-life when suffering with a chronic illness, but chronic illness can also cause emotional and psychological issues. Feeling stressed, anxious or depressed or having low self-esteem can often be a common challenge that those with a chronic illness face. Feeling anxious or worried about our health or the progression of a chronic illness may create difficulty in being spontaneous and sexual desire, whilst depression may reduce an interest in intimacy, leading to withdrawal from sexual activity. In addition, low self-esteem may affect one’s sexual self condition, altering self-image and body perception, causing difficulty connecting intimately with a loved one.
Living with a chronic condition can be a complex and challenging time for people, and causes many physical and emotional barriers to enjoying a satisfying sex-life. Here’s five ways to manage sexual challenges when living with a chronic illness.
Different chronic illnesses can present different challenges when it comes to a satisfying sex-life. Understanding the specific ways your condition may impact on your sex life can help you adapt more effectively - for example;
Diabetes
Diabetes can lead to sexual difficulties due to hormonal imbalances or nerve damage. In order to manage this, try and maintain good blood sugar control and discuss strategies with your doctor, whilst exploring positions and techniques that help to minimise discomfort.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s Disease can often cause abdominal pain and discomfort, so planning intimate moments during pain-free periods, whilst creating an environment that feels more comfortable can help make sex more enjoyable. Alternatively, find new ways to connect (either physically or emotionally) to help increase the intimacy between your partner and yourself.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, can often result in muscle weakness and fatigue. To increase sexual intimacy, plan intimate moments during the time of the day when energy levels are higher whilst using techniques and positions that help to minimise physical strain on the body. Communicate with your partner openly about your needs and explore support aids, such as lubricant that may benefit your sex-life.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid Arthritis can often cause joint pain and stiffness, which can impact on sexual activity. Gentle exercises may help to maintain flexibility, whilst sexual aids may help make sex feel more comfortable. It’s important to communicate openly with your partner about your needs and your boundaries.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia can cause pain throughout the body and fatigue, which can often make sex uncomfortable or you might feel too exhausted to engage in sexual activity. Choose low-impact activities that can help minimise the discomfort, whilst engaging in gentle touch and massage to increase the intimacy between you both.
Let’s take a look at seven common misconceptions about contraception, so you can feel comfortable knowing that you’re making the right decisions when it comes to your contraception and sexual health.
False! One of the most common contraception misconceptions is that contraceptive pills cause weight gain. However, scientific research has consistently shown that there is no significant relationship between weight gain and taking the contraceptive pill. While all medicines have their own side effects, with some people experiencing slight water retention or changes in appetite, they are usually temporary and do not result in a higher weight gain.
This common contraception misconception is false! While it’s true that wearing the wrong size condom can be uncomfortable, condoms have been specially designed to prioritise comfort. They come in a range of different shapes and sizes, to make sure that they are as comfortable as possible from king-size condoms to trim. There is even a Silk Thin Condom, our thinnest ever condom, designed to provide an ultra sensitive and close sexual experience.
Also, by using the right size condom, you experience increased intimacy and sexual pleasure knowing that you are fully protected against sexually transmitted infections and the risk of unintended pregnancy - making condoms the perfect contraceptive choice!
False! Everyone has a responsibility to protect their own sexual health, regardless of gender and identity. Whilst there are more contraceptive options for those with a vagina, those with a penis also have options; condoms or a more permanent contraception such as a vasectomy. It’s important for both partners to communicate openly about their contraception choices and the best option for them.
False! Even if you use the pull-out method, you can be at risk of unintended pregnancy, as pre-ejaculate, also known as pre-cum, still contains a small amount of sperm. In addition, using the pull-out method as a contraceptive option doesn’t protect you against sexually transmitted infections, as there’s no barrier against sexual fluids being transferred, in the same way condoms offer that protection.
False! Another common misconception is that long-term contraception can be harmful, however, long-term contraception, such as IUD’s and implants are some of the most reliable forms of contraception available, and can be used for several years before being replaced. While long-term contraception protects you from unintended pregnancy, it still doesn’t protect you from the risk of sexually transmitted infections, so it’s a good idea to always use a condom alongside another method of contraception. It’s important to talk to a contraception expert to help you make the best decision in long-term contraception for you.
False! While the risk of pregnancy is lower during your period, it is still possible, especially if you have a shorter menstrual cycle. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days, with women typically ovulating about 12-14 days before their period. Sperm can live in the body for up to seven days so the risk of pregnancy could occur if sexual activity happens shortly before or after menstruation.
False! Some people believe the body needs to take a rest from taking contraception regularly, however it’s completely safe to be on contraception long-term if your contraception nurse or doctor is happy for you to continue. Sometimes, a review of your contraception options occurs, to make sure you are still happy with the contraception you are using and it works for your lifestyle. Those that have particular problems, such as high blood pressure or migraines might be advised to not use contraceptives that contain oestrogen, but your medical provider will discuss that with you if you fall into those categories.
]]>With this in mind, let’s explore the importance of foreplay, sex-toys and products that enhance foreplay whilst learning foreplay tips on how to increase pleasure and foreplay into your sex-life.
Foreplay is an important part of any sex-life, yet at times, we can often overlook this important ingredient in an eagerness to immediately engage in sexual intercourse. However, by avoiding foreplay, we are missing out on a critical component of our sexual experience. Not only does it increase emotional intimacy, it also increases physical pleasure, creating longer-lasting and more intense orgasms. Here are four reasons why foreplay benefits your sex-life;
Increases emotional connection
Foreplay is a great way of increasing emotional bonding with your partner. Being able to share sexual desires, inner fantasies and interest in various sex-toys encourages us to be vulnerable and communicate openly with our partners which in turn increases trust and intimacy.
Increased arousal
Another benefit to adding foreplay into your sex-life is it allows the body to prepare for intercourse. When we experience foreplay, blood flow increases to our genital areas, which make our nerve endings more sensitive to touch, leading to heightened sensitivity and enhanced pleasure during sexual intercourse.
Increased lubrication
Lubrication is important in making sex feel comfortable and enjoyable - without appropriate lubrication, sex may cause friction leading to discomfort and irritation. When we engage in foreplay, it encourages the genitals to produce natural lubricant, making sex feel more enjoyable and pleasurable.
Reduces stress
Our lives can often feel stressful and fast-paced, so by adding foreplay into our day-to-day life it encourages us to unwind and focus on the moment. Foreplay is a natural stress-reliever, as it releases certain feel-good hormones; oxytocin (known for increasing intimacy and bonding), endorphins (known for increasing euphoria and mood), dopamine (known for pleasure and reward) and serotonin (mood regulation and emotional wellbeing).
With so many enticing sex products and sex-toys on the market, it can often be overwhelming to know which ones to use. Here’s a breakdown of a few different products and toys that have been specifically designed to increase pleasure, enhance intimacy and provide you with more satisfying orgasms.
Lubricants
Using water-based lubricants for foreplay is a great way of making sure your sexual experience is more comfortable and enjoyable. For some people, hormonal changes, stress or medication can often result in lower levels of natural lubrication, causing sexual activity to feel painful or uncomfortable. However, by adding water-based lubricants into your sex-life, it can mimic our own natural lubrication leading to an increase in comfort and pleasure whilst being completely safe to use with sex-toys and condoms.
Vibrators
Vibrators come in various shapes and sizes, and help to stimulate genital areas or erogenous zones, causing higher arousal and increased pleasure. Using a vibrator can help add new sensations and stimulations to foreplay, providing different techniques than our hands, fingers or mouths. Vibrators can be used with a partner or on its own, depending on your preference and also helps to increase blood flow to the genitals, creating more intense orgasms.
Condoms
Condoms are another great product to add into your foreplay experience. Condoms provide a barrier between sexual fluids from being transferred, reducing the risk of unintended pregnancy and contracting sexually transmitted infections. Condoms can be used for oral sex, sexual intercourse or with sex-toys and other products, such as lubricants. They can offer different sensations and experiences, such as ribs and dots, cooling and warming and there’s even condoms to delay ejaculation.
Massage oils
Another sexual product that can be added into your foreplay experience are massage oils. Not only do they create a more sensual and relaxing experience, they can also help to ease tension, increase intimacy and bonding whilst increasing anticipation of what’s to come. Feeling more relaxed before sexual activity takes place can cause our bodies to relax, increasing heightened arousal leading to more intense orgasms.
Blindfold
Using a blindfold whilst having foreplay can be a powerful sexual tool that can increase sexual connection and make the act of foreplay more satisfying. When you use blindfolds, the sense of sight becomes restricted, which means other senses (touch, taste, smell) become more enhanced, meaning the slightest touch becomes ultra-sensitive. Not only that, but the element of anticipation is also enhanced, as your partner is not able to predict or fully anticipate what sensations will come next…
Our Gentle Light Lube is a water-based lubricant that is clear and odourless. It’s 100% paraben-free (which means it doesn’t contain any harmful preservatives) and helps support symptoms of vaginal dryness as well as providing additional lubricant for a more comfortable and pleasurable sexual experience.
Our Lubricating Jelly is also a water-based, 100% paraben-free lubricant that has been specially designed for pre-to-post menopause. During this period of a woman's development, the vagina undergoes many hormonal changes that can cause a decrease in natural vaginal lubricant - using this pH-balanced formula can help to alleviate the discomfort and vaginal dryness that may occur during this period to ensure that your sexual experiences carries on being pleasurable and satisfying.
The key benefits of both our Gentle Light Lube and Lubricating Jelly is that they both contain the same high-quality, paraben-free ingredients (ensuring the lubricant will stay wetter for longer), are safe to use with condoms and sex-toys, and contain important ingredients such as Glycerine and Propylene Glycol.
Glycerine helps to prevent dryness and maintain hydration during sexual activity or intercourse, whilst helping to reduce friction and discomfort.
Propylene Glycol, acts as a moisturiser creating a smooth and silky texture for easy application and a more sensual experience.
Consistency:
The main difference between Pasante Gentle Light Lube and Lubricating Jelly is there consistency. The Gentle Light Lube has a thinner, lighter texture, whilst the Lubricating Jelly offers a thicker, jelly-like consistency.
Sensation:
Our Gentle Light Lube provides a more natural and subtle sensation, closely resembling the body’s own moisture. On the other hand, the Lubricating Jelly offers a more substantial and long-lasting lubrication experience.
Usage:
Our Gentle Light Lube is ideal for individuals who prefer a lighter lubrication. It is suitable for everyday use and easily washes off, whereas our Lubricating Jelly has a thicker texture, and is better suited for activities that require more lubrication or for individuals who desire a longer-lasting lubrication experience.
Suitability for Pre-to-Post Menopause
Whilst both lubricants offer a more enhanced sexual experience to everyone, the Lubricating Jelly has been specially formulated to benefit pre-to-post menopausal women. During the pre-to-post menopausal stage of a woman's development, the body goes through a lot of changes that can influence vaginal dryness and discomfort during sexual activities. With the Lubricating Jelly’s thicker formula, it provides extra cushioning and longer-lasting lubrication which can help reduce discomfort and friction creating a sexual experience that’s more enhanced and satisfying - regardless if you’re pre menopause or post.
Is it vegan-friendly?
A benefit of both our Gentle Light Lube and our Lubricating Jelly is that both lubricants are vegan-friendly which means they don't use animal-derived ingredients. This makes them a more ethical choice of lubricant than other non-vegan lubricants. In addition, vegan-friendly lubricants often contain plant-based and synthetic ingredients, reducing the risk of allergens or irritants that can often be found in animal-derived ingredients. This makes them the perfect choice for those with more sensitive skin or with allergies.
Why is a pH-balanced lubricant better?
Lubricants with a pH that deviates from the natural vaginal pH can often cause irritation or discomfort as it disrupts the balance of the vaginal flora. This is why our Lubricating Jelly has been specially formulated to match the natural pH balance of your vagina, making it safe and gentle to use for your intimate areas.
]]>Let’s find out more about vaginal dryness; the symptoms behind it, causes of vaginal dryness, how it affects your sex-life and how to treat it.
Vaginal dryness can cause a wide variety of symptoms. If you experience vaginal dryness, you might notice;
There could be a number of factors that can cause vaginal dryness or a decrease in vaginal lubrication, from psychological, physical or physiological changes - let’s explore a few of these.
Psychological:
Stress and anxiety: Psychological stress can cause the body to produce less lubrication, leading to vaginal dryness.
Lack of sexual arousal or desire: Having reduced sexual arousal or desire can cause a decrease of blood flow to the vaginal area, resulting in less lubrication.
Negative body image or self-esteem: Having a negative body image or low self-esteem can affect your sexual confidence, causing a reduction in the body responding to sexual stimulation.
Physical causes:
Hormonal changes: Fluctuations between the menstrual cycle or pregnancy can cause temporary vaginal dryness.
Hormonal imbalances: Hormonal imbalances can affect any stage of our life; whether it’s through pregnancy, breastfeeding or early menopause contributing to a loss of natural lubricant.
Medication: Side effects of medication, for instance, certain antihistamines or contraceptives can interfere with the body’s ability to produce vaginal lubrication.
Smoking: Smoking can affect blood circulation and vaginal health - which may result in vaginal dryness.
Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can also disrupt the normal hormonal balance, impacting on vaginal moisture levels.
Physiological causes:
Estrogen levels: Estrogen helps to ensure good vaginal health and lubrication, so a decrease in estrogen levels can impact on our ability to self-lubricate.
Age-related changes: Age-related changes in vaginal tissues and moisture levels can impact on vaginal lubrication, due to the vaginal tissue becoming thinner and less elastic.
Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as autoimmune disorders can also impact the body’s ability to produce vaginal moisture.
Vaginal dryness can significantly affect your sex-life. Without sufficient lubrication, sexual intercourse may feel uncomfortable or cause physical discomfort. This is due to a reduction in natural lubricant causing friction between the vaginal walls and the penis (or sex-toys) which can often lead to irritation and soreness. This discomfort can then make sexual activities, including intercourse less enjoyable.
In addition, the pain and discomfort associated with vaginal dryness can lead to a decreased interest in sexual desire or libido and overall well-being. The fear of experiencing discomfort during sex may make you anxious or hesitant about engaging in sexual activities. This may create tension or strain in your relationship, impacting on emotional connection and intimacy.
Addressing and managing vaginal dryness is key to achieving a satisfying sex-life. One way of doing this is to use a medical lubricant every time you have sexual intercourse or during any sexual activity. Lubricants provide additional moisture and help to increase vaginal lubricant in order to alleviate discomfort and help to reduce friction. Lubricants come in different flavours or sensations; from strawberry, fresh mint, gentle light lube or if you’re feeling really adventurous; cookies and cream and banana.
Remember you’re not alone in experiencing vaginal dryness - it’s a really common condition that can affect any woman at any age and there are treatments and lubricants available to help you maintain a satisfying sex-life.
To find out more about vaginal dryness, click here ]]>Foreplay is a type of sexual activity that typically occurs before sexual intercourse. Foreplay helps to increase sexual arousal and excitement leading to more satisfying orgasms and increased intimacy. Foreplay includes techniques such as mutual masturbation, oral sex, caressing each other's bodies whilst paying particular attention to the erogenous zones to discover sensations that you and your partner find pleasurable.
Foreplay is important because it increases sexual arousal and prepares the body for sexual intercourse. When you add foreplay to your intimate moments, your body responds by sending more blood flow to your genitals whilst activating the release of sexual hormones to lubricate your genitals and increase desire.
Adding foreplay techniques to your sex-life also creates a safe space for you and your partner to build on intimacy and discover new sexual sensations that you may or may not have experienced before. As well as this, foreplay can help build trust between partners and increase open communication by discussing what feels good, what doesn’t and what you might be keen to try. By spending time dedicated to foreplay, you and your partner can experience more satisfying orgasms.
Kissing and caressing
Passionate kissing, gentle touches or caressing are an important part of foreplay techniques. Not only do they increase anticipation of what might come next, but they also increase bonding between you and your partner.
Oral stimulation
Whether that’s through cunnilingus (oral sex of the vagina) or fellatio (oral sex of the penis) - oral sex is another popular foreplay technique to add to your sex-life. Adding oral stimulation to the erogenous zones can help increase intense pleasure and sexual arousal for both partners.
Sensual massage
Adding sensual massage to your foreplay is a great way to relieve stress and tension, making you feel more relaxed before sexual intercourse. Also by taking it slow with a sensual massage, it can add to the ambience whilst getting you both in a sensual and intimate mood.
Role-play and fantasy
Role-playing and engaging in shared fantasies can add excitement and novelty to your sexual encounters - increasing the connection between both partners.
Being able to have an open and honest conversation with your partner is crucial for being able to explore foreplay in a safe and fun way. If your partner is doing something that you don’t like, communicate this to them in a non-confrontational and calm way - we all like different things, and although it may be something they enjoy, they may not be aware that you think differently.
You can also offer guidance to your partner by expressing what feels good or what doesn’t feel good when adding new foreplay techniques to your sex-life. This is why foreplay is a good way of exploring and discovering new things that feel good together.
No. Foreplay doesn’t always lead to sex. It can be a sexually satisfying and pleasurable experience on its own and a good way of increasing sexual arousal. Sexual experiences are different for everyone, and it’s important to recognise that everyone's sexual desires and boundaries may differ. Foreplay can be a good way to connect intimately with your partner, being able to explore each other’s bodies and experiencing a heightened pleasure without the goal of sexual intercourse. It’s important to be mindful of this - that although you may want foreplay with your partner, you don’t have to engage in sexual intercourse afterwards.
There are many different ways you can improve foreplay in your sex-life but here are just a few of our favourites;
Communication: Have an honest conversation with your partner about your sexual desires, needs, fantasies, boundaries and possible foreplay techniques you would like to add. By discussing what you enjoy and what you don’t, you can create a safe space to explore foreplay together.
Explore sensual activities: Experiment with different foreplay techniques, such as sensual massage, scented oils, or add in novelty props such as a feather or blindfolds. You can also explore each other’s bodies through touch, discovering what causes the most pleasurable sensations for you both.
Go slow: Take the time to enjoy the experience. Rushing through foreplay may reduce the sexual pleasure you can endure together. Being able to go slow allows you to build up anticipation and intensify pleasure - it’s a sexual journey you can both take together.
Add variety: By adding variety in your foreplay encounters , you can enjoy a more heightened pleasurable experience. Whether that’s adding different positions, or adding new elements such as sex toys or role-playing - there are a multitude of different ways to increase excitement and adventure in your role-playing experience. ]]>Medical lubricants are classified as a medical device and undergo higher standards of safety and efficacy, whilst undergoing rigorous testing and regulations to make sure they meet the necessary quality and safety standards. Whereas, cosmetic lubricants are primarily used only for personal pleasure with ingredients and quality varying, and testing and regulations less stringent.
With this in mind, let’s find out more about the benefits of using a medical lubricant vs a cosmetic lubricant, what a paraben-free lubricant is and the role osmolality plays in your vagina tissue.
There are several benefits of using a medical lubricant as opposed to a cosmetic lubricant. Medical lubricants are specially designed and regulated for sexual intercourse, and offer a range of benefits, from stringent regulations and certifications to compatibility with condoms. Here are some of the many benefits of choosing a medical lubricant over cosmetic lubricant for sexual activity;
Safety and Regulatory Compliance:
Medical lubricants are manufactured in compliance with strict regulations, including Medical Device regulation. They also undergo rigorous testing and certification processes, such as CE and MD certifications which ensure their safety and efficacy for use. Cosmetic lubricants, on the other hand, are not subject to specific regulations - this means that there are no standards of requirements regarding their safety, quality or effectiveness.
Ingredients:
Medical lubricants only use pharmaceutical or food-grade ingredients, ensuring that all ingredients are pure and safe to use for sexual activity. This includes restrictions on parabens, which are preservatives that can often cause an imbalance in the normal hormone function, as well as other health concerns. However, cosmetic lubricants are not subject to any ingredient restrictions, meaning they could potentially contain harmful or irritating substances. As well as this, cosmetic lubricants have no restrictions on parabens, therefore making them a potential risk when used in intimate areas.
Compatibility with condoms:
Medical lubricants are designed to be compatible with condoms, which means the lubricant's formulation does not weaken or break the condom keeping you protected from the risk of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and HIV. On the other hand, cosmetic lubricants require an additional certification to ensure the lubricant is safe to use with condoms. Without this certification, there is a higher risk of ingredients or formulations which may weaken or reduce the effectiveness of the condom.
Versatility
Medical lubricants are designed for various applications, including stimulation and sexual intercourse - this means that you can use medical lubricant for different intimate activities, reducing the need for multiple lubricants. Meanwhile, cosmetic lubricants are primarily formulated for external use and stimulation, such as sensual massage or stimulation - they lack the same level of lubrication as medical lubricants, which are designed for sexual intercourse and stimulation.
A paraben-free lubricant is a lubricant that doesn’t contain any parabens, such as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and isobutylparaben. Lubricants that contain parabens are commonly used as preservatives, due to their antimicrobial properties. However, there have been many concerns regarding the use of parabens; parabens have been found to contain xenoestrogenic properties, which means it mimics the natural estrogen in the body and potentially disrupts the normal hormone function, whilst being linked to the growth of tumors and other complications. While the FDA considers parabens safe in concentrations up to 25% for external use, lubricants are commonly used internally, as well as externally which may expose the body to higher concentrations and associated risks. Therefore, paraben-free lubricants provide a safer and more comfortable option.
Osmolality is a process that helps maintain the health and wellbeing of the vaginal ecosystem. It refers to the concentration of solutes, such as salts and sugars, in a solution. Vagina tissue typically has its own natural osmolality, ranging from 200-380 milliosmoles per kilogram (m0sm/kg) - a disruption into this balance can cause dehydration and damage to the vaginal cells, leading to irritation, inflammation and increased vulnerability to infections. Some lubricants can contain high osmolality which can disrupt the natural balance of the vagina tissue, so choosing a lubricant with low osmolality is necessary in maintaining healthy vaginal tissue, a natural balance and reduction in risk of discomfort.
]]>Believe it or not, condoms do have an expiry date - which is usually found on the back of the condom packet. Most condoms are made from a material, known as latex, a natural type of rubber. This material can deteriorate over time, losing its elasticity and becoming brittle, making the condom more prone to tearing or breaking. In addition, all condoms are pre-lubricated, making sex feel comfortable and reducing the risk of rubbing. However, over time the lubricant may dry out, meaning that friction may occur during sex, which may cause the condom to break or tear, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
What about latex free condoms? Although latex-free condoms are made from another type of material, they are still at risk of tearing or breaking due to age, in a similar way to latex condoms. Therefore, in order to reduce the risk of your condom breaking and to continue having safe sex - always check the expiry date and make sure your condom is in-date.
Wearing the wrong size condom is another reason why a condom may break. A condom that’s too small may stretch, causing extra pressure on the material and increasing the risk of tears or breakage. Also, a condom that’s too small may not cover the whole of the penis, putting you at risk of unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections or HIV. If a condom is too small, it may feel uncomfortable during sex, and can prevent blood flow leading to erection problems.
In addition, a condom that’s too big is also at risk of breaking as it may cause unnecessary friction, leading to breaks or tears. Having a condom that’s not securely fitted may also mean there’s a risk of the condom slipping off during sex, leaving the penis exposed and running the risk of unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and HIV.
Pasante offers four different sized condoms; trim, regular, king and super-king, so there’s always a condom to meet your needs, so that you can enjoy safer-sex without worrying about the risk.
To find out how to correctly measure your penis, click here
Correctly storing condoms is vital for ensuring they maintain their effectiveness and continue to protect you from unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Here are two reasons why condoms may break due to incorrect storage;
Sunlight or heat
Condoms should be stored away from direct sunlight or heat. This is because higher temperatures or sunlight can not only cause the condom material to weaken, but also dry out the lubricant on the condom, increasing the risk of tearing or breaking during sexual intercourse. Therefore, always make sure your condom is stored in a cool, dry place to reduce the risk of breakage.
Heavy items / friction
Condoms that are placed somewhere where they are continually knocked or have heavy items placed upon them are also at risk of breakage. Condoms that are placed upon heavier items can often become compressed and lose their shape, causing tears or punctures in the condom or packaging. In addition, if condoms are placed somewhere where they are at risk of constant friction, the material may weaken, causing the condom to tear or break during sex.
While water-based lubricants are safe to use with condoms, there are other lubricants that can cause the condom to break. Oil-based lubricants, such as baby oil, massage oil or vaseline can cause damage to a condom, causing the material to weaken and increasing the risk of tears and breakages leading to a risk of unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infection and HIV.
However, water-based lubricants increase pleasurable sensations and are ideal for enjoying safe sex with condoms. Our succulent strawberry or fresh mint are the perfect choice for oral sex, while our light-lube is perfect for all types of sexual activity.
If you’re feeling a little exotic, we’ve recently launched two new lubricant flavours; Exotic banana and Cookies and Cream - which one will become your new favourite?
With this in mind, let’s find out more about sexuality and how to protect your sexual health as an LGBTQ+ individual.
Do you know your sexuality? Or are you struggling to identify where you belong? No-one knows why some of us are attracted to one gender, while others may be attracted to different types. If you’re curious about your sexuality - here’s a simple breakdown that may help you with your identity journey. Remember though; not everyone will fit into one of these labels and it’s okay if your sexuality changes over time. All that really matters is that you feel happy and secure with who you are, who you are attracted to, and that you know how to protect your sexual health as a LGBTQ+ individual.
Heterosexual: Women who are attracted to men, or men who are attracted to women
Gay - Men who are attracted to other men
Lesbian: Women who are attracted to other women
Bisexual: Women / Men who are attracted to both genders
MSM: Men who do not identify as gay, but who have sex with other men
Pansexual: People who are attracted to other people, regardless of gender
Asexual: Those that don’t feel sexually attracted to anyone and may have no desire to have sex
Demi-sexuality: A sexual attraction occurs only when an emotional connection is felt
Queer: Sometimes used to refer to non-heterosexual sexualities or non-cisgender identity
Use protection
Practising safe sex is an important part of having a healthy sex-life, whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or not. One of our favourite ways to protect LGBTQ+ sexual health is through using condoms. Condoms or internal condoms are an effective way to protect yourself from catching sexually transmitted infections, HIV and prevent unwanted pregnancy as they act as a barrier between genitals, stopping sexual fluid from being transferred - they come in all shapes and sizes, can be used for anal, oral, penetrative sex or with sex-toys, they are widely available, cost-effective and can enhance sexual pleasure. With so many benefits, it’s easy to see why condoms are a regular part of many people’s sex-life.
Have regular sexual health tests
It’s important to have regular sexual health tests as a LGBTQ+ individual - these can be done in the form of a blood test, urine or swab. Having regular HIV and STI tests are an essential part of an LGBTQ+ individuals sex-life as they help to reduce the risk of transmission and protect our sexual health. Knowing your HIV status is a simple and easy process - usually a quick prick on the finger.
Advice from public health states that;
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that can be taken by LGBTQ+ individuals to reduce the transmission of HIV in order to protect your sexual health. PrEP contains two antiretroviral drugs; tenofovir and emtricitabine and can be taken when you are HIV negative, but are at high risk of contracting HIV - this could be for men who have sex with men, those having condomless sex, or partners of a HIV positive person who’s viral load is not suppressed as well as many other scenarios. If the HIV virus enters the body, the medication blocks the virus from replicating, thus reducing the risk of contracting HIV. It can be picked up free from most sexual health clinics.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a medication that is taken by LGBTQ+ individuals if you are at risk of contracting HIV and think the virus may have entered your body. It should be taken up to 24 hours after risk of HIV, but can be taken up to 72 hours. It’s not guaranteed to always work, so shouldn’t be used as a type of morning-after pill, but it’s used as a last resort. PEP can be picked up for free at your local sexual health clinic if you meet the guidelines.
Stay undetectable
Individuals who are HIV positive need to ensure that they have an undetectable viral load, which means they are unable to pass the virus on to another person. A viral load refers to the amount of HIV that is found in the bloodstream, with evidence showing that the likelihood of passing HIV on is linked to the amount of virus in the blood.
The antiretroviral treatment works by reducing the amount of virus in the bloodstream to undetectable levels - preventing the risk of transmission of HIV - in the UK, this usually means a viral load below 20 copies/ml.
To find out more about viral load and undetectable levels, click here
Therefore, if you’re an LGBTQ+ individual looking to protect your sexual health, remember that condoms help prevent the spread of HIV and sexually transmitted infections, while regular sexual health check-ups are key to reducing the transmission of HIV and sexually transmitted infections.
]]>You might have many questions, such as ‘when should I bring up having sex in a new relationship, how do I have safe sex in a new relationship, does safe sex feel good, when should you stop using condoms in a new relationship or whose responsibility is it to provide condoms? - Here we’ve answered these very questions - so you can go into your new relationship feeling more confident and prepared.
When in a new relationship, it’s important to have an open and honest communication with one another about sex - some people prefer to have this conversation at the beginning of a new relationship, while others might prefer to get to know each other first before feeling comfortable enough to have a conversation around safe sex - but ideally, this conversation should begin before you have any type of sexual activity.
It’s important to remember that everyone has different sexual needs and desires, so during the conversation around sex, make sure you are both respectful to one another and take the time to listen to each other's feelings. If you’re not sure how to bring up the topic of sex with your partner, you could start by asking questions like; how do they feel about sex? or is there anything they don’t like?
First off, you need to ensure that both you and your partner are ready to take the next step in your relationship - and this involves asking your partner, but also asking yourself if it feels right.
Sex with a new partner doesn’t necessarily mean penetrative sex; it can include mutual masturbation, oral sex, foreplay, and so on… and the best way to ensure that you are both protected through any type of sexual contact is through wearing condoms. Condoms are what is called a barrier method of contraception - which means they stop sperm coming into contact with the vagina or anus - protecting you from sexually transmitted infections, HIV and reducing the risk of pregnancy. Condoms come in lots of different sizes, flavours and sensations - so depending on the type of sex you are looking at, there’s always a condom to help practise safer sex.
Yes 100%. When you're comfortable, knowing that you are protected from catching sexually transmitted infections, HIV while reducing the risk of pregnancy - you can both relax more - making sex together feel more pleasurable. Not only that, condoms, as well as lubricant, create new sensations and feelings - further increasing stimulation and pleasure.
Deciding to stop using condoms in a new relationship is a decision that you and your partner need to come too together. For many people, condoms are a convenient, cost-effective and safe contraception to use, with no risk of side effects, so condoms become a normal part of your relationship. If you are thinking of stopping using condoms; consider the following two points;
Buying condoms is a shared responsibility, which means you and your partner are both responsible for ensuring you have condoms before you enter into any sexual intercourse. There’s a false myth that men are responsible solely for condom buying - but that’s not the case, women are also responsible for their own sexual health. Therefore, if you’re entering into a new relationship - buy condoms in advance, that way you know when the moment comes - you’re already prepared.
]]>There’s no doubt that having a lack of body confidence can affect our sex-lives, as we may try to avoid being intimate with our partner or have lower libidos. Many men and women find they lose interest in sex when they have a poorer self-body image. With this in mind, let’s find out how body confidence affects sex-lives, why you might be feeling a certain way about your body, genital appearance and how to prevent poor body confidence affecting your sex-life.
If you feel like your body is unattractive or feel ashamed about certain parts of your body, it’s going to lead to higher anxiety as well as affect your sexual self-esteem and self-image - leading to avoidance of sexual activity. In the same way, if you accept your body for what it is (flaws and all) and are not worrying about how you might look or the other person's reaction to your body - you will have more confidence to enjoy being in the moment, relax more and increase your sexual arousal resulting in a more satisfying sex-life.
There are many reasons why you might be struggling with body confidence or a negative self-image. Past events or childhood insecurities, like bullying, can have a lasting impression on how we feel about ourselves and our bodies. As well as this, we are constantly bombarded with messages about how our bodies should look and being shown enhanced and photoshopped images of unrealistic body expectations that can lead to us feeling like we will never measure up to those high-standards that we see everyday.
For some young men, they can often feel anxiety around penis size, appearance or even shape (for instance, if it’s slightly curved or webbed, which is all perfectly normal) which can affect their body confidence and lead to a negative self-image. There is a common misconception that having a bigger penis is better, and if your penis doesn’t fit into this unrealistic cliche, this can lead to higher levels of anxiety and lower sexual-confidence. This false myth couldn’t be further from the truth, because although men may worry about penis size, women typically don’t care. All that really matters is ‘what you can do with your penis’. For a woman, they tend to feel more stimulation on the outside of their vagina, on the clitoris, than inside (of course, some women can experience vaginal orgasms, but it’s not typical for everyone).
One thing that really matters when having sex is that you are wearing the right sized condom - it’s going to feel harder to achieve higher sex-confidence if the condom is falling off, or if it’s pinching your shaft. Our condoms come in four different sizes; trim, regular, king or super-king. To find out how to measure your penis for the right-sized condom, click here…
For women, they may also have concerns with the appearance of their vulva or around discolouration that can lead to poor body confidence. Just like penis’s, all vaginas come in different shapes and sizes - and there really is no ‘perfect’ looking vagina. For centuries, women have kept quiet about their vaginal concerns for fear of embarrassment or shame, but a recent movement has begun that encourages women to talk about how different our vagina’s all are and opening up cultural conversations that empower women to love their bodies and vagina’s to improve female body confidence and self-image.
One way to prevent poor body confidence from affecting our sex-lives is to reframe what we focus on. Instead of looking at how we feel about our body, start loving our bodies for what they do. Spending time masturbating is a great way to learn how our body works and our own different erogenous zones. Try out different condoms, lubricants or sex-toys to find one that feels good. Increasing our self-confidence in how our body responds to certain stimuli or techniques, we are better equipped at communicating this to our partners and feel more self-confident.
Where possible, also be open with your partner about your struggles with body confidence as this will help to open the dialogue between you so you can gather support from your loved one. Practicing mindfulness is also a great way to prevent body confidence from affecting your sex-life. Once you start noticing negative thoughts, watch them flow in, but release them and let them go - don’t let yourself get too emotionally involved with them. The more you practice this exercise, the more you can let go of negative thinking patterns and the more enjoyable sex will be.
Remember: Feeling body-confident and sexy is a mindset. For some people, working out or going to a gym has helped build their confidence with body image, while for others, purchasing new sexy lingerie was just the thing to help them feel sexier and more sex-confident. Spend time reflecting on different ways you can achieve a healthier more confident body-image and you’ll see how fast your sex-life improves.
]]>With this in mind, here’s everything we know about the G-spot; how the female G-spot was discovered, where the G-spot is located, how to find our G-spot and the best positions to stimulate the G-spot.
In the 1950’s, a German physician and scientist, known as Ernst Grafenberg gained fame for his research on female sexual physiology, including the female orgasm and his invention of the IUD contraceptive device. Grafenberg discovered the female erotica zone – the place where orgasms can be stimulated - two inches inside the vagina on the anterior wall and argued that when this area becomes stimulated, it causes female pleasure and ejaculation (and thus, the G-spot was named after him).
The G-spot is located approximately two inches (for most women – it’s between 1-3 inches) inside the vaginal opening, beyond the anterior wall. This area contains many nerve endings and can sometimes swell when aroused or touched. Some people can find their G-spot easily, while others may find it more difficult. As everyone’s bodies are different, the size and position of the G-spot can vary from women-to-women.
There are a few sexual positions that can stimulate the G-spot – here are three of our favourites.
Reverse cowgirl: With your partner lying down on his back, climb on top and straddle him between your thighs but facing away from him (so you’re pointing towards his toes). Place your hand on his penis, and gently guide it inside of your vagina (using lubricant can help make this easier). You can then be in control of speed and pressure.
Doggy style: This is one of the best positions to help stimulate the G-spot as when your partner enters you from the back, he automatically is poised to slide up right up against your G-spot as he moves backwards and forwards. Start by getting into position by kneeling on all fours and have your partner glide inside you. You can angle your body slightly to see what feels good – some people like to lie with their belly on the floor, while others prefer to stay upright on all fours.
Raised missionary: Lie down on your back but place your ankles around your partner's neck so your pelvis is tilted upwards. Not only does this position help your partner stimulate your G-spot, they can also stimulate your clitoris too – making you experience double the pleasure!]]>With this in mind, let’s find out whether sex-toys are safe, how to clean a sex toy safely, how to choose the best sex toy and four of our favourite sex-toys that you might find in Santa’s sack this Christmas.
Sex toys are completely safe, providing they are used correctly and are washed before and after use. There’s a misconception that sex toys can’t spread sexually transmitted infections, but because they still have the potential to spread sexual fluids from partner-to-partner, there’s still a chance of transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
In order to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections;
Depending on what toy it is and whether it contains batteries will determine how to clean your sex toy. Each sex toy should come with its own instructions, which advise you how to wash it. It’s important that you follow this advice as some sex toys may need a special solution, rather than just soap and water.
The majority of sex toys can be washed with warm soapy water. It’s also advisable to wash your sex toy if you are changing the location of the sex toy during sexual activity - for instance if you are moving from anus to vagina.
Also make sure you are checking for any cracks or breaks in the sex toy as germs can get in and could cause an infection.
Everyone has their own sexual preferences, and sex toys are no different. Some prefer a sex toy that’s a little more gentle, while other’s prefer ones with more intense sexual pleasure. The trick is to ask yourself what you’re looking for in a sex toy? Are you looking for one to stimulate your genitals? Or for penetrative sex? One that you can wear for hours at a time? One that can be used for anal sex? Once you know the purpose of the sex toy you want - you can buy one you like the look of and try it out.
Never mind gold, frankincense and myrrh: here are a few of our favourite sex toys for intense sexual pleasure - the perfect surprise for that festive Christmas gift.
Finger vibrator
Fancy a stocking filler with a twist? A finger vibrator is just the thing to get that heart racing on Christmas Day. Slide the vibrator on your finger, or hold it in the palm of your hand (you can also use lubricant to increase the pleasurable sensations) and rub it along erogenous parts of your body or slide it against your genitals. It can be used for solo-sex (perfect if you want to treat yourself) or as part of a couple.
Dildo
A dildo may be a classic sex-toy, but it’s still one of our all-time favourites. Dildo’s come in all colours, shapes and sizes and are perfect for penetrative sex, anal sex or even just stimulating the genitals. Dildos can be used with lubricant for extra pleasure and comfort, while some also vibrate to give that extra bit of stimulation - a perfect present if you’re looking to give the gift of sexual pleasure this Christmas.
Jiggle balls
Never mind jingle bells…. It’s all about jiggle balls this Christmas. A favourite with celebs such as Khloe Kardashian and Gwyneth Paltrow - jiggle balls are perfect for not only increasing pleasure but also for strengthening the genital muscles. Comprising of two small balls that can be inserted into the vagina, they can be worn throughout the day, giving you constant sexual satisfaction as you walk around. If you haven’t brought a secret Santa gift yet, then this could be the perfect last-minute present.
Penis ring
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Well now you don’t have to dream. A penis ring not only increases pleasure for both parties, it also helps to maintain an erection for longer. Penis rings can be used with lubricant and are super stretchy for the ultimate comfort. You can get ones with ridges or ones that vibrate, depending on your sexual preference.
To help you celebrate Christmas, we are offering FREE shipping between the 12th - 19th December. Perfect time to choose that last-minute present for yourself or for a loved one.
]]>With this in mind, let’s find out what the menopause is, how it affects your sex-life, how to treat vaginal dryness, how to improve your sex-life during menopause and can you still catch a sexually transmitted infection during the menopause?
The menopause occurs between the ages of 44-55, however for some people, it can start sooner. When a person goes through the menopause, their periods naturally stop due to lower levels of oestrogen and testosterone and they are no longer able to get pregnant naturally.
Those going through the menopause may experience problems with sex, including loss of libido or vaginal dryness. However, they may also experience the following;
Psychological symptoms; including anxiety, depression or memory fog
Physical symptoms, such as hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, headaches or migraines, weight gain, palpitations, muscle joints, urinary tract infections (UTI’s).
As the body produces lower levels of estrogen and testosterone, the person going through menopause may not be so easily aroused, and may be less sensitive to touching or stroking. With lower levels of estrogen, it can also cause a drop in blood supply to the vagina, making it harder to naturally lubricate. This can often cause sex during menopause to feel uncomfortable or sore.
Some may also be worried about bladder control problems, stress, depression, anxiety, health concerns, have lower energy and be suffering from medication side-effects - all of which can cause problems with sexual arousal and loss of libido.
However, others enjoy sex far more during and after the menopause, due to less anxiety over getting pregnant and fewer child-rearing responsibilities, which means they are able to relax and have more intimate time with their partner.
If you are experiencing lower level of libido with the menopause and it does concern you, don’t be afraid to speak to your doctor.
Water-based lubricants are the perfect remedy in treating vaginal dryness when having sex during the menopause, and can be used alongside condoms (you still need to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections). Our lubricants are designed to reduce friction and won't cause irritation. Lubricant can be put inside or around the vagina, on your partners penis or on a sex-toy before sex and are a great way of increasing pleasure during sexual activity. Choose from fresh mint, sensual strawberry or light lube.
You can also speak to your doctor about vaginal moisturiser or vaginal estrogen, a type of hormone replacement therapy that may help to increase estrogen around the vagina, making sex during menopause more comfortable.
As well as using lubricant to treat vaginal dryness, there are also a number of other things to do to help improve your sex-life during and after the menopause.
Try new positions
Sometimes certain sex positions can feel uncomfortable and may be a reason why some people have a loss of libido during the menopause. Some people prefer to put more emphasis on oral sex and mutual masturbation. Spending time on foreplay is a good way to help get your vagina properly lubricated.
Add sex toys
If you’ve never used a sex toy during sexual activity, then you’ve been missing out. There’s a wide range of sex toys that range from internal stimulation to external stimulation that can help to increase pleasure.
Not only that, it’s a good way of spicing up your sex-life during the menopause, creating more intimacy between yourself and your partner.
Communicate with your partner
Having a healthy and satisfying sex-life is all about communication. Talk to your partner about the symptoms you are having with the menopause, and how you are feeling about your body and sex.
Communicate with your partner about certain things you would like to try or those things that no longer feel comfortable. This can sometimes feel difficult to do, however, once you’ve done it - it can be a good way of increasing closeness between you both whilst finding new and exciting ways to have sex during the menopause.
If you find the lack of sex is having a problem between you and your partner, then it might also be worth seeking couples counselling or a sex therapist.
Yes, you can still catch a sexually transmitted infection, even when you go through menopause. While the risk of pregnancy decreases, the risk of sexually transmitted infection transmission stays the same.
Condoms reduce the risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection by preventing any sexual fluids from being transferred. Condoms can be used during oral, anal or penetrative sex and come in a range of different sizes, sensations and flavours.
As well as using condoms, it’s also a good idea to get a sexual health screen on a regular basis (annually or when changing a new partner)
]]>Many people find oral sex an extremely pleasurable experience, and everyone has their own preference on what they like and how hard or soft they like it. Let’s find out more about how to prepare before oral sex, how to give the perfect oral sex for fellatio, cunnilingus and anilingus as well as what STIs can be transferred through oral sex.
Before you begin oral sex, it’s always a good idea to look for any lumps, bumps, sores or unusual discharge on or around the genital area. If you see any of these signs, hold off on having any form of sexual contact as they may be due to a sexually transmitted infection. Of course, some STIs may present no symptoms, so make sure you have your condom, internal condom or dam to hand too.
Once you’re fully prepared, you are ready to give oral sex to your partner. It’s a good idea to ask your partner in advance what they like or dislike so you already have a head start on the type of activities that bring them the most pleasure. This means you can do more of the things they like and less of the things they don’t like.
Tips for good oral sex
Penile-oral / fellatio
Before you begin penile-oral sex, the penis may be flacid or erect. If the penis is flacid, hold it gently in your hand and begin to breathe, lick or kiss to arouse it. Once it’s erect, start licking the penis from the shaft to the tip. As the tip is the most sensitive area of the penis, you may want to spend some time gently sucking or licking around this area. Slide the whole penis in your mouth and use your lips to glide up and down. Your partner can help guide you on what feels good for them - some prefer to start off slow and build up to a faster pace. The scrotum and testicles are very sensitive too, so you may want to lick or suck this area too. Some people like to gently put a finger inside the anus during penile-oral sex as a man’s G-spot is approx 2 inches inside the anus.
Vagina-oral / cunnilingus
Begin by slowly teasing your partner by kissing, breathing and softly touching their upper thighs - as this helps to build up the excitement and anticipation of what's to come. Using your fingers, gently part the outer lips of the vagina and locate the clitoris, which will become slightly swollen when aroused. Place your tongue on the clitoris and begin by making slow movements - some like to be licked up and down, while others may prefer circular motions - it’s a good idea to keep checking in with your partner to see what feels good. The clitoris has over 8000 nerve endings and is the most sensitive part of the vagina - so it’s a good idea to spend the majority of your time stimulating this area.
Anal-oral / anilingus
While rarely orgasms happen during anal-oral, it can still be a pleasurable experience for some. If you and your partner would like to try it, ask them to kneel on all fours and crouch on the floor behind them. Using your mouth, gently kiss and touch the area around the anus - while lubricant enhances all oral sex experiences, some people love to use it with anal-oral and this would be a good time to apply it. Open your partner's buttocks and use your tongue to make circular motions around the outer area and slowly insert your tongue into the anus. If you are performing anal-oral on someone with a vagina, remember to not move straight from the anus to the vagina as bacteria can be transferred and could cause an infection
STIs and oral sex
You can still get a sexually transmitted infection through oral sex. Some STIs are more common to be transferred through oral sex, for instance; gonorrhoea, human papillomavirus (HPV), syphilis and herpes. However, you can still catch other sexually transmitted infections through oral sex, so it’s always a good idea to wear a condom - we have flavoured ones that are perfect for oral sex. Choose from Minty fresh, strawberry crush, chocolate temptation and blueberry blast with our Taste condoms.
This Halloween, between 24th October and 1st November, there’s 25% off Intensity, Infinity, Glow and Taste condoms - so it’s the perfect time to stock up on your favourite condoms.
]]>However, watching online porn can often be associated with stigma and shame but can porn be a positive thing and educational? Here we explore this very question, finding out whether it’s ok to watch pornography, and answering some very commonly asked questions; does sex have to last for hours, is what you see in porn expected in real-life, who are some positive porn experts to learn from and what to do if you think you may be suffering from a porn addiction.
Yes! It’s absolutely fine to watch online porn, but perhaps lean more towards watching ethical porn or educational porn. Ethical porn is defined as being legal porn that promotes fair pay, good working conditions, testing for sexually transmitted infections, pro-condoms and are more realistic than typical mainstream porn. There’s a lot of movement at the moment around mainstream pornography, with online porn being male pleasure dominated, having unrealistic beauty standards, a lack of sensuality in porn, and issues such as revenge porn, rape and non-consensual sex videos. It’s important to highlight these important topics regarding pornography so you can see that although there is positive porn out there, there is also some negative porn.
There’s no shame in watching online porn and it can be a good way of learning about the different practicalities and positions that encompass having sex as well as gaining inspiration in the bedroom. However, as long as you understand that what you are watching is fiction with many of the ‘scenes’ or positions that are showed in pornography being unrealistic and are not representative of real-life - you should never make anyone do anything they do not want too. Also, like most things - it needs to be in moderation, watching online porn occasionally is ok but if you feel it’s impacting on your life, then it might be time to seek support.
There’s a misconception that sexual activity has to go on for hours to be truly satisfying, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Porn stars are paid to create movies based on sex, so if the whole sexual activity was over in 5 minutes it would be a pretty short film. That’s why sex performers draw sex out for as long as possible to make the ‘film’ more interesting and keep you watching for longer. In real-life, as long as you and your partner are both happy with how long the sex lasts - then there really isn’t anything to be concerned about.
This is another common misconception that occasionally happens when one or both partners watch pornography. You may feel like you have to be sexually confident and take part in lots of different sex acts when having sex with your partner, but this is incorrect. Consent is the most important thing when having sex or taking part in sexual activity with a partner - if there’s something you do not feel comfortable doing, you should never feel pressurised into doing it. Many of the scenes in pornography are magnified and heavily edited - so these ‘perfect’ scenes have been designed to only ever show the best bits.
Erika Lust is an ethical porn director who creates films that focus on consent, female pleasure with a wide range of diverse performers who actively ask their partners if they want to use condoms.
Kenneth Play is a ‘sex hacker’ who produces educational videos and online material on all things sex, including how to pleasure women. Kenneth argues that “sex education should be explicit, practical and literally shown in a real world application”.
Yes. Some people can get addicted to watching online porn - the same way other people may be addicted to sex or drugs. When someone enjoys pornography, the ‘reward centre’ in the brain becomes activated and the feel-good hormone dopamine gets released - it’s this hormone that people can often become addicted to and over time may need high levels of porn to sustain the euphoric ‘high’ that comes from a dopamine release.
Those with a porn addiction tend to;
Pornography addiction can cause serious harm to close relationships and your life, so it’s always important to seek help as soon as possible.
]]>While Monkeypox has been shown to primarily occur in west or central Africa, cases are rising every week in the UK, and as of 21 July 2022, the number of monkeypox cases in the UK were 2,208 with the majority of cases (2,115) found within England. Let’s find out more about the symptoms of Monkeypox, treatment and testing of Monkeypox, as well as how to protect yourself from catching Monkeypox.
The symptoms of monkeypox typically start between 5-21 days after being infected with the virus, so it’s important to stay alert for any symptoms, especially if you have been in contact with someone who has monkeypox. Symptoms may include;
The government is advising that before anyone attends a party or large gathering, they check themselves for symptoms of a rash or blisters before attending. If you do have symptoms, it’s important you stay home and self-isolate to stop the spread.
If you suspect you have monkeypox, you need to either call your GP, 111 or a sexual health clinic straight away. All calls about monkeypox will be treated sensitively, but it’s important that cases are found - monkeypox testing will then be arranged to verify the monkeypox virus.
Symptoms of monkeypox are generally mild and people recover within a few weeks without treatment.
But if your symptoms become worse, you may need to go into hospital for monkeypox treatment. Those at risk of needing hospital treatment include young children, pregnant women and those that may be on treatment or have a condition that affects the immune system.
Current guidance is that those who are close contacts of the monkeypox virus will only be advised to self-isolate for 21 days if they have symptoms. Recent government data has shown that only a small amount of close contacts have gone on to develop symptoms.
While monkeypox virus is related to the virus that causes smallpox, vaccines designed for smallpox may also provide some protection against monkeypox. Therefore, these vaccines can be given to close contacts to prevent or reduce severity of the infection. You can also;
For further guidance on how to reduce the spread of monkeypox if you are a close contact click here.
It’s important if you have symptoms of monkeypox, that you self-isolate at home, limit any contact with members of your household as much as possible, refrain from intimate or sexual contact, avoid close contact with young children or pregnant women and those with an impaired immune system, do not share bedding, towels, cutlery or utensils, and any non-essential travel should be avoided with appointments rebooked at a later date.
If you do have to travel for an essential journey, wear a face-mask to prevent the spread of monkeypox, and cover any lesions or bumps with fabric, for instance scarfs or bandages.
For further guidance on how to reduce the spread of monkeypox if you suspect or have been diagnosed, click here.
]]>You can either make an appointment to see someone at your local Genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic, attend a walk-in or some services offer free postal kits for those that don’t have any symptoms. There’s also a HIV testing kit that you can order here.
With this in mind, let’s look at who can attend a sexual health clinic, what happens when you attend, what type of tests they do, how to get your results, notifying sexual partners and how to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections.
Anyone can attend a sexual health clinic, regardless of age, gender, race, sexuality. For those that are unable to speak English - a translator can be booked in advance who can attend the clinic too and there may be appropriate arrangements for those with a disability.
When you arrive at a GUM clinic, you will be welcomed by a receptionist who will ask your name and hand you a form to complete and direct you to sit in a waiting room. You may be asked for personal details, for example, date of birth, address and contact details but don’t worry - it’s all confidential - no information will be sent to your address (unless you have requested a postal kit or have requested a letter) and your GP will not be notified unless you give permission.
The doctor or nurse will ask a series of questions about your medical and sexual history. You may be asked the following questions;
You may have an examination, where the nurse or doctor will look at your genitals to check for any lumps or bumps. You may also have a blood test that can test for HIV, syphilis and Hep B and Hep C.
For those with a penis, you may be asked to provide a urine sample or have a swab.
For those with a vagina, you may be asked to do a self-taken swab or the nurse can do it for you.
For some sexually transmitted infections, they may be able to diagnose you straight away. For any tests that need to be sent away to a laboratory, they may take up to a week to come back. You can either receive a text message, phone call or letter (for those that request this method).
If you test positive for a sexually transmitted infection, you’ll be invited to attend to start treatment. Most sexually transmitted infections can be treated with antibiotics, but for some infections, like HIV - there’s no cure, but there is still medication to stop the virus from replicating in the body.
If you are positive with a sexually transmitted infection, you will need to notify any sexual partners that may also need testing or treating. Some people prefer to tell their sexual partners themselves, but it can also be done through the clinic confidentially. They will never disclose your name and the person will receive a phone call that says something like ‘You have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for a sexually transmitted infection’ and will be invited to come in and get tested.
Wearing a condom when you have any form of sexual activity is the best way to protect yourself from catching a sexually transmitted infection. Condoms act as a barrier between your genitals and sexual fluid to stop any bacteria from being transferred. There’s a wide range of condoms available - from different sizes, sensations, textures or bundles.
]]>So if you’re curious about your sex-drive or sexual desire, read on to find out more about your sex-drive, why we might have a low sex-drive, and what to do if we think we have a sex addiction.
There are many reasons why some people have a higher sex-drive and others don’t, and there may be times our sex-drive fluctuates. Depending on our preference, it’s perfectly normal. While some people prefer to have sex once a month, others may need to have sexual activity weekly or even daily. However, our libido only becomes a medical issue if our high or low-sex drive becomes a problem for ourselves and our relationships.
Our libido or sexual desire is affected by three core factors; biological (the amount of sex hormones we have), psychological (how we are feeling) and social factors (our relationships and environment) which all work together to create how much we desire sex. Let’s explore each of these biopsychosocial factors in more detail.
Biological
Our hormones play a vital role in how high or low our sex-drive or libido is. One hormone is testosterone which is produced by both men and women and is a primary hormone responsible for our desire to engage in sexual activity. Some people have a higher sexual desire in the morning as that is when testosterone levels are usually at its highest.
For those who ovulate, they may find an increased sex-drive around ovulation as testosterone levels tend to increase during this period.
For those with a penis, testosterone is at its highest around the age of 17 which remains high for a few decades before slowly decreasing, this is when they may find their libido or sex-drive lowers.
Psychological
Certain psychological factors can influence whether people have a higher or lower-sex drive. If we’ve been feeling anxious, stressed, fatigued or have poor mental health, we may find that our sexual desire is lower.
Those that have experienced sexual abuse or trauma may find they have a reduced libido as post-traumatic-stress-disorder can often cause a lower sexual desire. Depression and libido often coincide too, with reduced libido being a core symptom of depression.
Social
Our relationships can play a huge part in our desire for sexual activity. A new relationship may ignite our sex-drive, causing a stronger desire to engage in sexual activity as our attraction and lust is at its strongest. Our sex-drive can often reduce when in a long-term relationship or marriage, as while the emotional bond between each other may increase, the lust and attraction can weaken which can affect our libido or sex-drive.
Our sex-drive can also be sensitive to our environment and context. Factors, such as the strength of contentment in our relationships, whether there’s a positive or negative atmosphere, the time we have sex (It’s not too late and we’re not exhausted), even religious beliefs, values and upbringing can influence how high or low our sexual desire is.
For those with a lower sex-drive, which is completely normal if you are just someone who desires sex a little less, there may be other factors that may be involved in having a lower libido.
Menopause - hormonal changes during the menopause have been shown to cause a lower libido, resulting in vaginal dryness and discomfort when having sex. Our range of lubricants help to reduce vaginal dryness, making sex feel more comfortable and satisfying.
Mental health - Anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions increase the risk of experiencing sexual dysfunction problems, which often leads to low sex arousal.
Age - One study exploring the relationship between sexual desire and older age showed a decrease in sexual desire after the age of 50, with a significant decrease after the age of 60 for women.
Chronic conditions - Research has shown that chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease can cause sexual dysfunction, which may cause a lower sex-drive.
Medication - Some medication can cause a lower sexual desire, for example a type of antidepressant called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI) has been shown to reduce libido. If you are taking medication and have a reduced libido, it may be worth reading the information leaflet to see any possible side effects.
Hyper-sexuality, or compulsive sexual behaviour is when a persons desire to has sex is so high that it becomes difficult to control and negatively affects your life, relationships and other parts of your life lasting for six months or more.
Someone with hyper-sexuality may experience the following symptoms;
If you have any of these symptoms, it might be worth talking to your GP who can refer you for treatment or psychosexual counselling.
]]>With this in mind, let’s find out what an orgasm is, how to have an orgasm, the benefits to having an orgasm and reasons you may find having an orgasm difficult.
An orgasm is a feeling of intense pleasure and release of physical tension that happens at the height of sexual arousal. When you have an orgasm, the muscles in the vagina, penis and the rest of the body contract rhythmically whilst feel-good hormones, such as endorphins, flow through your bloodstream. You may find during an orgasm that your heart rate races, your face feels more flushed and your breathing becomes more rapid.
For those with a penis, a small amount of semen will be released out of your penis after having an orgasm. For those with a vagina, you may find your vagina become wetter just before sexual activity and during. Sometimes women can experience extra fluids released out of their vagina after an orgasm (sometimes called female ejaculation), but not all women experience this.
As everyone’s bodies are all different, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to having an orgasm. Some people prefer to have orgasms through clitoral stimulation, vaginal stimulation, penis stimulation, and can even be experienced through stimulating other erogenous zones or through sexual imagery. Orgasms can happen through oral sex, touching of the genitals or masturbation, vaginal sex, anal sex or through using sex toys - anything that increases sexual arousal can lead to an orgasm.
During sexual arousal, blood flow increases to the genitals and our muscles tense throughout our body. When we experience a clitoral orgasm, the clitoris becomes engorged (increased blood flow) and then the muscles contract and release and we experience sexual pleasure through an orgasm. Having a vaginal orgasm is often described as deeper and more intense. Sometimes after an orgasm, your genitals will feel very sensitive to touch.
Not sure what you prefer? You can either try practicing on yourself first, through masturbation or using sex-toys and seeing how you love to be touched and where, or you can try different sexual activities with your partner (oral, foreplay, vaginal) and listen to how your body responds.
Mental health benefits:
There are many mental health benefits to having an orgasm. When you experience an orgasm, your body releases feel-good chemicals, such as Endorphins, Dopamine and Oxytocin - let’s find out more about these three important chemicals;
Endorphins are produced naturally by the nervous system to cope with stress and pain and are released during exercise or pleasurable activities. Therefore, experiencing sexual pleasure through an orgasm can make you feel happier and less stressed.
Dopamine is responsible for seeking out pleasure, rewards and motivation, and often, people who feel depressed can lack motivation and find it more difficult to experience pleasure. This means that having an orgasm could increase the feel-good hormone dopamine which could temporarily help you to feel less depressed.
Oxytocin, typically known as the ‘love hormone’ is responsible for feelings of love, trust and bonding in relationships. Therefore, when you experience an orgasm, you may find yourself wanting to cuddle up to your partner straight after or feel more attached to them.
To find out about more mental health benefits to having sex, click here
Health benefits:
Weight loss - One study taken by University of Quebec in Montreal found that during an average 25 minute sex session, men burn approximately 100 calories and women burn 69.
Better quality sleep - Research conducted by Central Queensland University in Queensland found a staggering 74% of men and 67% of women had better quality sleep if it followed an orgasm.
Improved heart health - Researchers exploring sex and cardiovascular risk found women who had regular sex in a rewarding sexual relationship had improved cardiovascular health.
To find out more health benefits to having sex, click here
Many internal and external factors may prevent you from experiencing a satisfying orgasm.
External factors may be stress, alcohol, drugs, medication, past experiences, not being stimulated properly, relationship problems,
Internal factors may include; hormones, emotions, mental or physical health, anxiety over sexual performance, exhaustion, low sex hormone levels, menopause.
Those with a penis may experience erectile dysfunction that can prevent from experiencing an orgasm - this is when you may not be able to get or keep an erection. To find out more about diagnosis or treatment for erectile dysfunction, click here]]>There’s a lot of misconceptions when it comes to period sex, but having sex while on your period can be extremely pleasurable. With this in mind, let’s tackle a few misconceptions and find out if it’s safe to have sex while on your period, whether or not you can get pregnant during your period, the benefits to having period sex plus the downsides, as well as some exciting tips to make period sex more satisfying.
Absolutely! While there are no known medical risks of having sex while on your period, there are higher risks of catching sexually transmitted infections. STI’s like HIV and hepatitis live in the bloodstream and are passed on through contact with infected blood, semen and vaginal fluid. That’s why it’s always safer to wear a condom during any sexual contact to prevent sexual fluid from being transferred which reduces the risk of passing on sexually transmitted infections.
If you use a tampon or menstrual cup while on your period, don’t forget to take it out before having period sex, otherwise it may be pushed in further and cause bacterial infections or even toxic shock syndrome.
One of the most common misconceptions is that you can’t get pregnant while on your period. Although the chances of getting pregnant while having period sex are slim, it can still happen, especially if you have shorter cycles or irregular periods. Sperm can stay in the reproductive tract for up to seven days, therefore if you ovulate soon after having your period, the sperm may still be alive and capable of fertilising the egg. Therefore, whether you are having sex, during your menstrual period or at any other time, it’s always best to wear a condom to prevent any unplanned pregnancy.
There are many benefits to having sex whilst on your period - but here are just a few of our favourites…
Orgasms may relieve menstrual cramps.
Menstrual cramps happen during your period as a result of the uterus shedding its lining, in preparation for a new lining. When you have an orgasm, the uterine muscles contract and then relax, easing the muscular contractions that can cause cramps, therefore period sex can provide you with much-needed relief from those menstrual cramps. In addition, having an orgasm releases feel-good hormones, such as endorphins, which can help lessen the pain and discomfort.
More sexual pleasure.
Women’s hormones fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle - while some women find they have an increased sex drive during ovulation, other women experience an increased libido while on their period. If this is you, sex could feel a lot more pleasurable.
Also, when you’re on your period, you may have to be a little creative about comfortable positions, so you might find a favourite position you never knew existed.
Extra lubricant
Did you know that menstrual blood acts as a natural lubricant? This can help sex feel more satisfying and comfortable which is perfect for those who don’t usually produce a lot of natural lubricant.
Although there are many benefits of period sex, it’s a good idea to be aware of the negatives of having sex while on your period.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at what natural lubricant is, misconceptions, the different types of lubricants there are, what lubricants we have available, how to communicate with your partner about adding lube to your sex-life and how to use it.
When feeling aroused, a vagina naturally lubricates by releasing fluid from the cervix and the Bartholin glands (two small glands near the entrance of the vagina). However, hormonal changes, stress, menopause, pregnancy and a whole host of other issues can sometimes cause difficulty with producing enough natural lubricant, which can then make sex feel uncomfortable. In these cases, using additional lubricant on the genitals can make the area more slippery, thus increasing the enjoyment of sex. While most people use lubricant to enhance pleasure, it’s still the perfect way of increasing natural lubricant if you find yourself a little drier than usual.
There are many misconceptions when using lubricant, so we thought we’d go through a couple of them and find out why they are untrue.
Myth: Lube is only for people with vaginal dryness, such as menopause.
Truth: Lubricant is for everyone, and not just those who suffer from vaginal dryness. Lubricant can be added to enhance your sex-life by making things that little bit slippier, as well as making anal sex more comfortable and oral sex more pleasurable.
Myth: Needing lubricant means you are not sexually attracted to your partner.
Truth: Just because you want (or need) to use lubricant doesn’t mean you are not sexually attracted to your partner. Using a water-based lubricant means you can extend sexual activity, as you can stay wet for longer, increasing the intimacy between you and your partner while enhancing sexual pleasure.
Myth: It’s only for people who indulge in sex acts that have a risk of tearing, like anal sex.
Truth: Lubrication can be used for anal sex, however it’s also used for regular vaginal / penis intercourse as well as oral sex, masturbation and sex toys. We all have different sexual appetites and lubricant is a perfect addition to most types of sexual activity.
Water-based lubricants
Water-based lubricants are the most common types of lubricants people use during sex. They are fairly inexpensive, have a natural feel, wash off easily and come in many different flavours and sensations.
Silicone-based lubricants
Silicone-based lubricants typically last longer than water-based lubricants and can also be used with condoms, however, they do not rinse off as easily and can cause irritation if not washed off after sex.
Oil-based lubricants
Oil-based lubricants include baby oil and petroleum jelly and cannot be used with latex condoms, as they weaken the latex making the condom more likely to break, leading to an increase of unplanned pregnancy or transmission of a sexually transmitted infection.
We’re always looking for ways to increase our sexual pleasure and satisfaction, and we think we’ve struck gold with our water-based lubricants. Our light-lube is the perfect addition to vaginal dryness or anal sex, while our strawberry makes oral sex sweetly-satisfying, and our mint lubricant, with a satisfying cooling and tingly sensation is a lubricant that is perfect for every occasion.
When communicating with your partner, sensitively discuss your desire to use lube and be mindful that it may not be something they would like to do. Let them know that lubricant can help to maximise pleasure and that it can be a joint exploration that will help increase intimacy. Choose one together that you would like to try and when it arrives, take it slow and experiment together.
It can often be difficult to know what to expect when you lose your virginity for the first time, so we are here to answer your most common questions; does it hurt when you lose your virginity? How do I know when I’m ready? How do I know what I enjoy? Will I have an orgasm? And how do I protect myself from catching STI’s?
Sex being a painful experience when you lose your virginity is a myth that’s been circulating for decades. Those with a vagina may experience a slight discomfort when having sex for the first time as the hymen can break during intercourse (it is often described as a slight pinch). You may also experience light spotting or feel a dull ache afterwards - however, this is all perfectly normal and doesn’t last long.
To minimise any discomfort, make sure both you and your partner are feeling comfortable before you decide to have sex. Keep it slow and start with kissing and foreplay as this will help you both begin to feel aroused and relaxed. During arousal, your brain sends a signal to your genitals to release a natural lubricant that can make sex more enjoyable, however most people often use additional lubricant as it can enhance the experience and prevent any uncomfortable friction.
Choosing when you have sex for the first time can often be one of the most important decisions in your life and only you can make it. Some people reflect on losing their virginity with regret and wish they had waited a little bit longer, while others look back with fondness of their moments with a childhood sweetheart. Here are some questions you can ask yourself if you are thinking of losing your virginity that might help you decide whether ‘now’ is the right time.
However, if you answer yes to any of the following questions, it might be a good idea to delay having sex.
You don’t automatically know what you enjoy the first time you have sex, sometimes it is a case of trying things out. However, some people prefer to practice on themselves before losing their virginity with masturbation. This is a good way to get to know your genitals and what you enjoy, how you love to be touched and where? Once you know what you enjoy - it’s easier to tell your partner.
No, not always - and that’s perfectly normal. Some people need foreplay or oral sex to have an orgasm, while others can reach orgasm through intercourse. What one person finds a turn on may be different to another - and that’s ok. It’s just about finding out what you enjoy - and what gives you the most sexual satisfaction.
Using a condom the first time you have sex reduces the risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection and getting pregnant. Condoms act as a barrier that prevents any sexual fluid from being transferred. Our First Time Kit is the perfect starter kit to have in your bedside cabinet before you have sex - with a pack of our extra thick, extra lube condoms and a bag of 12 sachets of our light lube - you can feel well prepared before the big occasion comes. We’ve also included some leaflets that will help keep you safe, so you can feel confident and informed before you lose your virginity.
]]>In 2019, Public Health reported 20 cases of Donovanosis in the UK with the majority of cases seen in the 20-40 age bracket. Positive cases have previously been found in more humid countries, such as; Papua New Guinea, southern Africa, parts of India and Brazil.
Let’s find out more about Donovanosis symptoms, Donovanosis and HIV, diagnosing Donovanosis and treatment as well as how to protect yourself from catching this rare STI.
The first signs of Donovanosis are firm raised bumps or lesions that eventually ulcerate and bleed - primarily affecting the genitals but can also affect other parts of the body. If left untreated, the infection can start to destroy the tissue around the genitals and spread to other parts of the body. Typically, there are four types of Donovanosis:
In Durban, South Africa where HIV has only been recognised recently, the proportion of men diagnosed with Donovanosis and HIV have significantly increased. This suggests that Donovanosis increases the transmission rate of HIV when in the presence of ulcers. For those that are HIV-positive, the symptoms of Donovanosis produce more tissue destruction and healing time tends to be longer after treatment for Donovanosis commences.
Donovanosis is diagnosed by taking a swab of the ulcer using a cotton swab before being sent to the laboratory for testing. If a doctor or sexual health nurse suspects Dunovanosis, treatment will begin before the results come back. You will be asked about previous sexual partners so they can be contacted and also treated (this can be done anonymously) and all forms of sex will be off limits until the infection has been treated.
Treatment for Donovanosis is quick and easy. You will be given a course of antibiotics for up to 3 weeks, such as Azithromycin - this will help treat the infection and heal the ulcers. You may be asked for a follow-up appointment to make sure the infection has cleared up and the ulcers are healing / or have healed.
Condoms! Condoms reduce the risk of catching Donovanosis by preventing any sexual fluids from being transferred. By using a condom (or dam) every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex reduces the risk of contracting Donovanosis. We have a wide variety of condoms available from regular, king, super king or trim as well as flavoured and fun condoms so there’s plenty of variety available. Unsure which condom to choose? Open this link 'in a new window' here 'What type of condom should I buy?
As well as ensuring you or your partner wear condoms, getting a sexual health screen on a regular basis (we recommend annually or on change of a sexual partner) will help reduce the risk of catching and passing the infection on.
]]>In a survey of over 2000 UK office workers, 20% have admitted to having a one night stand with a colleague at a Christmas party - therefore, it’s not only the secret Santa gift that needs to stay wrapped. So, whether you are looking for a last-minute gift or expecting a rendezvous at the Christmas party, with our 12 days of condoms - there’s something to put a smile on everyone's face.
12 Climax Condoms
Start your 12 days of condoms with a bang! For those that love to give or receive, these warming and cooling sensation condoms have been specially designed to enhance your sexual experience. Boasting a ribbed edge with a gentle lubricant to warm or cool your genitals, this is a gift that’s worth smiling about.
A natural sensation with our Feel Condoms
Feeling the cold this Christmas? Warm up with a condom from our 12 days of condoms that oozes sensitivity and an intense closeness. For those that love to receive - using a condom as thin as this, you won’t even know you’re wearing one….
12 gifts that can be given again and again…
For those that love to give, the gift of a lasting orgasm will blow their mind this Christmas. Our Infinity Condoms have a gentle lubricant that’s been designed to delay the male orgasm - this is a condom that will continue to spread sexual cheer until after Christmas has ended…
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Our heart condoms are the perfect partner to help make that happen. With a choice of four different designs, spend a long-weekend savouring every single one. After all if you love to receive - tis the season to bring you joy...
For those that love to give; Treat a loved one this Christmas to an intense orgasm like no other. On the 5th day of our 12 days of condoms - our passion condoms are gently lined with raised ribs that will enhance any sexual experience...it’s a gift that will hit any sweet spot.
For those that love to receive; Put a smile on your face with our fun themed smiley condoms. With a choice of four designs and a natural sensation, it's the perfect gift to receive at Christmas.
Whether you’re feeling naughty or nice this Christmas, our extra condoms are just the thing for those that love to receive a night of passionate sex. One of our favourites on our 12 days of condoms because of its extra thick and strong latex, you can feel reassured that there won't be an unexpected gift awaiting you once Christmas ends…
5 Different Condoms, 5 Different Sensations
Have a partner with an adventurous spirit? With our variety bundle, indulge in a different experience every night on the run up to Christmas. For those that love to give - this is an ideal gift - featuring a mix of Delay, Intensity, Cooling, Warming and Sensitive condoms.
Christmas is the season for giving and receiving, and what better gift to give than the gift of oral sex? With our taste sensation condoms, choose from minty fresh, strawberry crush, chocolate temptation and blueberry blast - it’s a delight to wet both appetites!
3 Delightful Orgasms
Looking for a last-minute gift? Our regular 3-pack condoms are just the right size for a Christmas stocking. So whether you’re looking for a gift for a partner, friend or secret-Santa on the 12 days of condoms, it’s the perfect way to make sure everything stays wrapped this Christmas…
Cosy up this Christmas and savour an experience that will bring you closer together. For those that love to receive - our naturelle condoms are one of our thinnest condoms for a natural feeling and comfort.
Not sure what you want this Christmas? Our minty lubricant is just the thing to add to your Christmas wish-list. Whether you love to indulge in oral, anal or penetrative sex - our lubricant will provide a tingling sensation that’s minty fresh and satisfying…
]]>Anal sex is any sexual activity that includes the anus. This could include penetrating the anus with a penis, finger or sex toy, stimulating the prostate gland as well as licking around the anus (rimming). Anal sex can be an intimate, stimulating and pleasurable experience for both partners as the anus is rich with highly sensitive nerve endings. For some people, it can take a while to get used to the sensations of anal sex and for others, it feels comfortable and enjoyable right from the go.
With this in mind, here’s everything you need to know about anal sex, from how to have anal sex, how to stimulate a prostate gland, how to make anal sex an enjoyable experience, rimming and how to protect yourself from catching a sexually transmitted infection.
First off, communication is important when having anal sex, so make sure you have had a conversation with your partner and you are both happy to try any form of anal sex before you begin.
If you decide to have penetrative anal sex or want to stimulate the prostate gland, remember to go slow and don’t rush into anything. If you prefer, you can have a shower beforehand.
There’s a muscle in your anus, known as the sphincter, that needs to be relaxed to make anal sex more comfortable. Therefore, if one of you is tense, it may not feel as enjoyable.
Grab your chosen lubricant and gently add it to your partner's anus and the surrounding area.
Slowly and gently penetrate your partners anus a little bit with either a penis, finger or a sex toy and then pull out completely.
Ask your partner if they are happy to continue and if they are, slowly penetrate again - be prepared to stop at any time if they find it uncomfortable or are in pain.
Keep this rhythm going until you are at a rhythm you are both happy with.
The prostate is a small muscular gland that produces the seminal fluid that is found in ejaculation. The prostate is located about two inches inside the anus, between the rectum and the penis, and can be stimulated by a sex toy or even a finger. The prostate has many nerve endings and these can feel good when stimulated. This area is very sensitive and can be bruised easily if handled too roughly, so the prostate needs to be treated gently and with lots of lubricant.
Annulingus, also known as rimming, can be an enjoyable and pleasurable experience for many. Rimming involves using your tongue and lips to stimulate the anus. With your partner on all fours, crouch behind them and start softly kissing and touching the area around the anus. Open your partner's buttocks and gently circle your tongue around the area. If things get a little friskier, you could slowly insert your tongue. Your partner will help guide you on what feels good, whether that’s licking, sucking or gently probing.
Is anal sex painful?
For many people, anal sex can be a highly pleasurable part of a healthy sex life. If it’s your first time having anal sex, then the sensation might feel a little odd or uncomfortable. Be prepared to go slow and make each other feel comfortable during the activity and use lots of lubricant to reduce any pain. You can start off with fingers or a small sex toy before using a penis or larger sex toy.
If you or your partner feel any pain or it feels uncomfortable, be prepared to stop immediately. You can always try again another day, if it’s something you both want to do.
Condoms reduce the risk of catching sexually transmitted infections by preventing any sexual fluids from being transferred. By using a condom (or dam) every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex reduces the risk of contracting an STI. We have a wide variety of condoms available from regular, king, super king or trim as well as flavoured and fun condoms so there’s plenty of variety available. Unsure which condom to choose? Open this link 'in a new window' here ‘What type of condom should I buy?’
As well as ensuring you or your partner wear condoms, getting a sexual health screen on a regular basis (we recommend annually or on change of a sexual partner) will help reduce the risk of catching and passing the infection on.
]]>