What Every Man Needs to Know about Lubrication

Let’s be honest: Sometimes, a guy just wants to get it on. It doesn’t matter if the situation has enough lubrication involved. Two adventurous souls might choose to get down and dirty without any lubrication at all, or a guy might take matters into his own hand and keep things dry until the very end. But while that lack of lubrication might indicate something hot and spontaneous, the truth is that going without adequate lubrication runs contrary to everything a guy ever learns about good penis care.

However, there are times when additional lubrication can be problematic, such as when a guy is dealing with an allergic reaction to an ingredient in the lube, or when the only lube on hand is one that doesn’t work well with latex condoms. Here’s how to handle those situations, and much more.

If a guy can’t handle the lube…

Some lubricants have added ingredients that can lead to skin irritation, dryness and even pain. For instance, ‘warming’ lubes often contain ingredients that lead to a sense of warmth and heat to the skin. For some guys, that can be just a little too much excitement for their sensitive penis skin.

And in other cases, even the most common lubricants might actually trigger an allergic reaction. This often results in a rashy, red penis that might feel warm to the touch. Severe cases can lead to even more severe symptoms.

The good news is that there are so many lubes out there, a guy can experiment with quite a few until he finds one that works well for him. And when he’s looking at using lubes with condoms, keep in mind that oil-based lubes are not good for use with protections, as they will hasten the deterioration of the condom - and every guy knows that’s not good. Go for water-based or silicone-based lubes instead.

Using lubrication properly

When a man is with an eager partner, he might find that her body produces enough lubrication for both of them. But in many cases, a little extra is necessary for the comfort of everyone involved. Therefore, a man should always keep a good lube on hand just in case he needs it. Choose one that is specifically designed for use on sensitive private areas.

What a man should never, ever do is turn to "lubricants" that were never designed for that function. Grabbing for a bottle of lotion, shampoo, conditioner or even baby oil are all frowned upon, as they can lead to serious dryness and skin reactions that definitely take the fun out of a guy’s escapades. And of course, no one knows for sure what these products will do to the efficacy of a condom, but it’s a safe bet that the outcome might not be good.

Finally, a guy should remember to clean up thoroughly after using lube. Even the gentlest lubes can leave residue behind, and that can lead to penis itch, rash and redness. A quick wash with warm water in the sink might be enough, but for heavy-duty lubes, a full-on shower might be necessary to get all of it away from the skin.

In between sex sessions, it pays to use a top-notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Not only will luxurious ingredients like Shea butter and vitamin E alleviate the dry skin that can result from using lubrication, a guy can look for vitamins A, C, D and B5, all known for their skin-soothing properties. And for better action, a guy can look to L-arginine, which is known for enhancing blood flow through the penis, leading to firmer erections and a potentially better time.

Dry Penis Emergency Care - 7 Lubricants to Avoid at All Costs

A dry penis is not a man's best friend, so it's no wonder that many men may employ external lubrication before engaging in sex, whether with a partner or alone. In the best circumstances, a guy has a stash of proper lubricants available at his beck and call; however, in some cases the opportunity for some tantalizing sex comes up when proper lubricants are not at hand. Tempting though it may be to improvise with some emergency lubricating options, suitable penis care requires restraint in this area to avoid penile irritation.

What's proper anyway?
Many men may wonder what constitutes a "proper" lubricant. The first thing to consider is context, i.e.: what kind of sex is about to be performed?

• Vaginal intercourse . Water-based or silicone-based lubricants should be used during vaginal intercourse, especially if condoms are used. Oil-based lubricants can cause condom tearing and slippage, so they should be avoided.

• Anal intercourse . Water-based lubricants are recommended highly; silicone-based are also popular, but some people complain that they sometimes leave a residue that is difficult to clean after use.

• Masturbation . Water-based, silicon-based and oil-based are all acceptable. The question really is how a man's individual penis is going to react to each of these and to different brands, mixtures and formulas. (By the way, saliva is a perfectly-acceptable water-based lubricant, so as long as a guy isn't stuck in the desert, he's always got a back-up at the ready.)

What's "iffy"
When engaging in partner sex, it's really best to use one of the proper lubricants; when masturbating, there's a bit more leeway. Here are some choices for self-stimulating lubrication that may not be top drawer but could be considered acceptable - with reservations.

• Soap . Soap is good and slippery and can be used for masturbatory purposes in a pinch. But it tends to need frequent replenishment; grains in the soap can irritate; and chemicals may cause rashes or other reactions.

• Shampoo . Shampoo doesn't need to be refreshed as often as soap, but otherwise it has the same drawbacks.

What's to avoid
Then there are the options that, no matter how aroused a man may be, just shouldn't be used:

1. Toothpaste . Trust one who knows, the penis is not meant to experience the topical application of toothpaste. While the ingredients in toothpaste may seem harmless, when applied to one's manhood, they produce a stinging sensation which quickly becomes a burning sensation.

2. Shortening or lard . This option is discounted not so much because of what it can do to one's penis but because it is devilishly messy and difficult to get off of the penis, the hands and any clothing or bed sheets it comes in contact with.

3. Avocado . This is listed for basically the same reason as shortening and lard: it creates a big mess. For masturbation, it's a pain; for sex play involving food, however, it can be more manageable and enjoyable.

4. Shaving cream . Men who shave their genitals know that a little shaving cream doesn't hurt. The problem comes when the cream is (1) applied in large quantities and left on for an extended period and (2) enters into the urethra, causing a burning sensation on the interior of the penis.

5. Graphite . It's a great lubricant, but not for the penis. Period.

6. Mud . Yes, when a man is engorged, he will try just about anything: but wet dirt is no cleaner than dry dirt.

7. Muscle soothing ointments . These provide deep heating relief to aching muscles but produce an unbearable burning sensation when applied to one's member.

A man is wise to not attempt sex with a dry penis; he just needs to carry that wisdom through to his choice of lubrication. He also needs to ensure that his overall penis health is being seen to properly by employing a superior penis vitamin formula (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil). This cream is not a substitute for a lubricant, but one with excellent moisturizers such as shea butter and vitamin E can do wonders with soothing a member that is sore from sexual use. In addition, those creams with L-arginine will help penile blood vessels to expand, aiding blood flow in the area.