When we first launched Après Delight CBD Intimacy Oil we got to be a part of some very intimate and culturally hush-hush conversations. One of the big ones? Dry vagina.
Vaginal dryness isn’t something that many of us talk about openly, but so many of us have experienced. If you’ve been there, we see you and you’re not alone. If this is new to you, welcome. Nearly every vagina-adorned human has experienced a dry vagina at least once in their sexual careers. Vaginal dryness can be so much more than a mood killer or a thought spinner, it can make sex or masturbation physically painful. Sexual activity is humankind's most primal source of pleasure. We were built to enjoy sex, so let’s unpack what’s holding you back.
The first and most important thing to know is that if you are experiencing or have experienced a dry vagina there is nothing wrong with you. Write that on the back of your hand so you never forget. You did and are doing nothing wrong.
Sometimes vaginal dryness has little to do with your actual level of sexual arousal. The wetness of your vagina is often dictated by estrogen. A hormone that everyone releases naturally. However, during menopause, post childbirth, after a major surgery like ovary removal or chemo and radiation therapy, our naturally occurring levels of estrogen drop. Lower levels of estrogen can make getting wet harder.
Another factor is emotional. The way that you approach sex may be the same way that you approach the rest of your life. You are forthcoming with your needs, like it a little rough with a bountiful dose of adventure, snuggles and emotional availability. You know that you are out of balance when your life outside the bedroom is in stark contrast to how you are showing up in the bedroom. If you had a shit week, didn’t get to play outside, are feeling disconnected from your partner and then try to jump into passionate lovemaking, odds are that you're drier than the Sahara in August. While there are loads of things that may be affecting the wetness of your vagina, know that there is a solution.
When you are searching for a way to light you up down there, it is just as important to know what NOT to use. Water is the number one enemy when you’re trying to get wet. Counter-intuitive? Yes. But it's very true. Water washes away your body’s own natural lubricant, making you dry. This can lead to tearing, painful sex and it makes it easier for you to get a yeast infection and or bacterial vaginosis. As fun as those rivers, lakes, bathtubs, and other bodies of water might sound, it's best to steer clear of penetration when in water.
When choosing a product, be sure that it works for your body. You can always test on the back of your hand. If you react with stinging, bumps, redness or dry skin, keep it as far away from between your legs as possible. With water based products you'll need to check to ensure that the pH isn't above vaginal pH (pH 4.5).
Because Après Delight CBD Intimacy Oil is oil based (we use organic coconut oil), you don't have to worry about the pH. Our special blend of certified organic ingredients not only immediately affects the lubrication of your sweet and sacred parts, but it also is a reminder to your brain of how good it feels to drip down there. We know first hand the relief that comes when you feel that first bit of moisture oozing from between your thighs after a dry spell. Sex and vaginal readiness is just like anything else – it takes practice. Après Delight was designed to help relieve the discomfort that comes with dryness. It works with your body to make sex more pleasurable and less painful.
So if you or your partners have been experiencing vaginal dryness, we are here to help. We’ve been there and we’ve got you. For our plan of action, check in with your emotional landscape then apply three pumps directly to your clitoris and the rest of your vulva and touch yourself (or have a partner(s) touch you) the way you enjoy being touched. You also can pump Après onto your fingers and go to town on yourself or a partner, if you prefer. In about 15 minutes Après will start to increase the blood flow, helping you orgasm more easily and more intensely.
Our aim at Aprés Delight is to build something that's more than just a product. We’re here to normalize these conversations and end the embarrassment about the things that are so natural and affect so many of us. So let’s dive right in and get wet, shall we?