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The Astroglide Glide Guide   a range of interesting topics.

Set the Stage for Passion 

April Masini, known to millions for her 'Ask April' relationship advice column, reminds us that great sex in marriage doesn?t always ?just happen.? Often it requires effort and creativity. Think back to when you were trying to make a good impression on those early dates and rekindle that vibe.

?Strategic planning is part of keeping the X in your sex life. Things don?t always fall into place, but if you set the stage, they?re much more likely to. For instance, create the mood with music, candles and other nice lighting and wear what you think he or she will find attractive. Light a fire in the fireplace, have the wine or champagne chilled and don?t worry about what?s for dinner ? have take out ready to go. You?ll be setting the stage for sex without indicating so.?

April suggests an upgrade on the traditional date. ?If you?re both stressed, consider a massage instead of a movie. Either do it yourselves, or hire someone to come in?and then leave! Make your dinner and a movie date a light take-out sushi, sensuous couples massage and some crisp wine or cocktails that aren?t too syrupy or sweet, to create a mood for sex.?

Make Time for Sex 

The effectiveness of smart planning is echoed by Patricia Johnson and Mark Michaels, co-authors of Partners in Passion. They acknowledge the difference between spontaneous sex and a pre-calculated rendezvous, but admit that in today?s hectic world a bit of planning can pay off in the bedroom.

?Schedule at least two erotic encounters a week for the next month. It?s up to you whether these encounters include orgasms for one or both of you. Take note of how this affects your general level of desire. We suggest that couples take extra-long lunch breaks so that they can meet at home for an early afternoon tryst. This type of weekly ritual keeps partners feeling hot for each other.? 

While spontaneity is often equated with romance, don?t kid yourself into thinking that you?re not already part of a plan, as Patricia Johnson points out. ?For most couples, dating is effectively a form of engaging in scheduled sex. Even if sex in this context feels spontaneous, it has actually been planned. Thus, scheduling sex is okay for most people, in certain contexts, provided they don?t openly acknowledge the scheduling.?

Nonsexual Intimate Touch is Critical 

While no sexpert will deny the importance of touching as a key component in intimate sexual relations, relationship coach and author Lisa Hayes points out that touching outside of sex is just as vital to a steamy romance. 

?When two people first meet they can't keep their hands off of each other. They hold hands when they sit next to each other. They snuggle on the sofa when they watch TV. They touch in passing as often as they can. They crave the touch and that kind of touch fuels sexual desire. As a relationship progresses and life takes over, that kind of touch tends to diminish. But you want the fire in the bedroom to continue to burn hot.

Nonsexual touch defines two people as a couple even more than sex does. It stimulates oxytocin production which is the bonding brain chemical. Foreplay starts way before you take your clothes off. Nonsexual intimate touch is a very important part of foreplay and it should be happening all day everyday. When it's happening, two people are far more open to each other both emotionally and physically.?

Talk About Sex More, Money Less

When we asked Lisa Hayes for marriage advice that doesn?t involve touching, she was quick to point out that what you discuss (and don?t discuss) as a couple can impact your relationship in unusual ways. 

?Both sex and money are often very charged topics, however couples will find a way to talk about or fight about money a lot. It's very common for sex to be a topic that is almost taboo between two people who sleep together and share a life. I'm always surprised by what people can't talk about when it comes to their bodies. Sex needs to be something that a couple can discuss freely if their sex life is going to evolve. If a sex life doesn't evolve it will die.?

But how can couples open up about subjects that they may not be comfortable talking about? Apparently practice is the key. Hayes says, ?The easiest way to normalise the subject of sex is to talk about it a lot. Even if you can't talk about your sex life, you can still talk about sex in general. You can always tell what a couple's priorities are by noticing how much time they spend discussing anything. Kids, jobs, and money are usually on the top of the list. Sex needs to be there at the top if two people are going to stay connected.?

Relationship therapy team Judith Claire and Frank Wiegers are the authors of So THAT'S Why They Do That! Men, Women and Their Hormones. They agree with Ms. Hayes?s advice on initiating an open dialog about sex with your spouse. 

?Communicating about sex can be difficult for some while others want to talk about it all of the time. It's not a good idea to have serious sex talks while you are in the process of making love. The only talk you want during the lovemaking process is words of love and endearment. If there are some issues that you want to resolve around you sex life, it's best to broach the subject somewhere else -- like the living room or better yet on a walk or over coffee. A fun way to start is to ask each other for five fun things that you like about sex and then follow up with five things that you don't like about sex.?

Use Technology to Heat Up Your Marriage

Lifestyle strategist Natalie Blais has a different opinion of phones and computers. ?Rather than viewing technology as something that takes away from a relationship, couples can use it to draw closer, enhance the romance and keep their relationship on track and sexy.?

While this advice may seem contrary to the experts who tell you to unplug, Blais has a more realistic approach to how you can turn your electronic device into a relationship saver. ?Couples in 2015 need to learn how to use technology to their advantage! With the ability to video chat, text, message, Facebook, tweet and so much more, it is monumentally easier to stay close, connected and intimate.?

When asked for examples of what sort of content works best, Natalie explains. ?If you took one minute each day to send your mate a sexy text message, a short mini strip tease video, a quick series of photos imagining your sexual encounter that coming evening, whatever the mood strikes you. Leverage the tools that are literally at your fingertips to keep those interactions red hot. Couples who are flirty, fun and playful will stand the test of time and the test of their relationship.?

What Does SEXY Mean to You?

When we asked Los Angeles-based scientist Judy Rosenberg for her advice on how to keep your marriage hot, she came back with this fun acronym for S.E.X.Y.

S is for safety- Without safety, emotional and otherwise, you can't have a marriage. Safety means protecting your spouse's feelings.

E is for energy - You have to invest energy into your marriage, sexual and otherwise. It's not 50/50, it's 100/100 percent.

X is for X factor - It's the wildcard. Surprise your spouse in the way that makes the person feels X-tra special: flowers, surprise sexual romps, picnics, trips, etc.

Y is for yes - Forget the computer and cell phone, and spend quality time with your loved one. Try to eliminate ?No, I don?t have time? from your vocabulary for a bit and just say yes, as long as it?s not offensive or abusive.

?Remember, SEXY is the relationship -- mind, body and soul,? says Rosenberg. ?SEXY is when all three come together to enhance each person and create a 1+1=3, meaning that the collective we becomes more than who we are individually.?

Adults Need Playdates Too

Cammi Balleck, author of Happy, The New Sexy, advises couples to ?accept each other for who they are and don't try to change each other.? She explains that people can strengthen their bonds in simple ways. ?Express appreciation everyday for one thing. Do activities that you did together when you fell in love. My husband and I fell in love climbing mountains. Every time we climb it brings our sexy back.?

Balleck?s advice about finding activities that bond you and your partner is cosigned by many relationship experts, such as parenting coach Monique Prince. She takes the tip a step further and suggests couples ?Be brave and try new things together. Whether it's a game of checkers or sky diving, do something together often.?

Prince makes an excellent point that often gets overlooked when planning dates with your mate. ?Don't keep dates for night time only. If Sunday is your only day off, Sunday afternoon can be your date night -- or a weekday morning. Be open to different times of day to have a date with your spouse.?

Dates don?t have to be elaborate, it?s the togetherness that counts. Prince mentions one free date idea that can do wonders for a marriage. ?Take a walk and ask about the best part and worst part of the other's day. Listen to each other's needs and meet them.? Once your partner feels appreciated, intimacy will follow, and often the sex will be improved.

?Sex separates the married from the unmarried so have a ball. Make love a lot and in a variety of places. Back rubs, massages, and taking a tub or shower together is wonderful,? says Prince. ?Make sure both feel satisfied sexually, emotionally, physically and spiritually.?

Need some inspiration to get on the right track? We?ve got you covered - these 21 sexy date ideas will work with any budget (including no budget), and will have you cosied up to your partner in no time.

Role Play As Much As You Can 

?Nothing beats boredom in the marriage more than a sexy romp of ?D' and Nurse?,? says Sandy Daley, relationship columnist and author of Whose Vagina Is It, Really? ?Plus this gets you out of character and you might learn a thing or two about your partner's likes and dislikes.? 

Daley urges people to not be afraid of experimenting. ?Couples need to let themselves be 'uncomfortable' during intimacy. Only through experimentation are they able to get to a higher place. Of course, there should always be the opportunity to stop if you begin to feel too uncomfortable during any intimate act.? 

On the topic of playing out your fantasies, Judith Claire concurs. ?Role playing games are fun. Try scenarios such as pizza man and horny housewife, teacher and pupil, 'd' / patient, sheik/harem girl, cowboy/schoolmarm or cop/hooker. Costumes can be fun too. Light B&D (bondage and discipline) with cuffs and ropes including light spanking can also be exciting.?

Sexy Costumes: Not Just for Halloween

One common theme that several of our pros hit upon is the effectiveness of lingerie and kinky costumes to help the ladies feel sexy and confident while offering their spouse some arousing eye candy that signifies an evening is about to heat up. 

Relationship expert Hope A. Rising puts this theory to the test in her own relationship. ?Once or twice a month I like to go to the adult store and buy sexy costumes, then create a theme around the costume. My guy never knows when he comes home who is going to greet him at the door or what the evening holds for him.?

Our resident sexologist, Jess gave similar advice in a recent AskMen interview with Aly Walansky. ?I work at a few erotic resorts in the Caribbean (Desire Resorts and Hedonism II) and the couples have so much fun picking their outfits and dressing up that they can't help but reignite the spark!?

Jess understands the psychology behind role playing, and offers this interesting tidbit of information: 

"Oftentimes, the most appealing roles are those that stray most significantly from our lived reality. If you manage great responsibility at work or in the home, you may derive great pleasure from indulging in a submissive role. And if you spend most of your days catering to everyone else?s needs, playing a selfish role may be the perfect escape from reality.? 

Sparking the Fire and Keeping it Burning

Although Tiffany Mason, a life coach who specialises in ?designing a meaningful marriage,? didn?t see the advice that the rest of our relationship panel offered -- her actionable tips perfectly summarize and reiterate what the others suggest for keeping your marriage hot:

Drink a glass of wine and eat a piece of chocolate with your partner

Turn off the television and light some candles

Surprise your spouse by giving them a back massage before they fall asleep

Dress up in a sexy lingerie when your husband comes home from work

Send your lover a naked photo of yourself

So what?s the secret to keeping the passion burning in your marriage? Apparently it boils down to being open, giving, playful, committed, bold, creative and, of course, keeping your sex sessions well lubricated. 

20 Sexy Winter Date Ideas for Guys on Any Budget

Nothing can put a deep freeze on your relationship quite like the post-winter holiday hangover. Just as the last of the obligatory family gatherings and stressful travel plans come to a close your credit card bills arrive, the alarm clock for work buzzes and the flu season is just one sneezing stranger away. Now, more than ever, it?s crucial to focus on keeping the spark between you and your lover burning bright.

Fortunately for you sir, we?ve compiled a list of classy date night ideas for at a variety of price points to help keep your passion burning bright into the cold, bleak weeks leading up to Valentine?s Day (or, as your wacky aunt refers to it, the premiere of Fifty Shades of Grey).

Free Winter Date Night Ideas That Won?t Make You Look Cheap 

1. Movie Night at the Crib - Let?s start with the obvious. If you read our 4 Sexiest Holiday Movies article, you know that chilling at home with your partner doesn?t have to mean cheesy sitcom reruns or bad reality TV. The key is to let your lover pick their favourite sexy flick then cuddle up under the covers for an evening of no-cost romantic cinema.  

2. Good for One Free ___ Voucher - Here?s where you get to express your romantic, giving side without dropping a dime! Design and slip your significant other a cleverly-worded coupon that they can cash in for the type of spoils you normally only offer as foreplay. Make it all about them?without expressing any expectation for a return?and you may just be rewarded with the hottest thank you imaginable. 

3. Throwback Party for Two - Whether your idea of retro night includes Pac Man and Prince albums or Nintendo and N?Sync, nothing warms the heart like a walk down memory lane. Download your favourite iPad arcade app, bust out the mix tape that you rocked when you were trying so hard to express your feelings with Robert Smith lyrics, and top it off with a YouTube marathon of your favourite nostalgic flicks from when you [thought you] were cooler. 

Pro-tip: Keep your competitive nature in check and let your partner win a few games if they?re not as Mario-savvy. The silly bonding that ensues will bring you closer to your beau than you ever were to that high school crush and, unlike those awkward years, you might actually get lucky tonight.

4. An Old-Fashioned Bonfire - It?s BYOS and the S is for S?mores. If you live in or near a rural area, building a fire on a chilly winter night can be one of the most romantic, timeless excuses to snuggle up next to the object of your affection. Stealing a kiss under the stars while you stoke the fires (literally and figuratively) will build a lasting memory. 

Sexy Dates for Under $50

5. Dinner At a Chic Ethnic Restaurant - The beauty of taking a date to eat Ethiopian or Indian food is three-fold. For one thing, the fact that it?s a step out of the ordinary adds to the exotic excitement. It also implies that you?re open-minded fella and appreciate other cultures. Last but not least, in smaller towns, places that serve Thai or Mediterranean grub may be the best options if you or your date are trying to stick to a vegetarian or vegan diet, and the spices that most of these chefs cook with will take the chill off of the coldest winter nights.

6. Catching a Film (Not a ?Movie?) at the Local Art House Cinema - Leave the popcorn blockbusters for the classless masses, and treat your date to an evening of unpretentious intelligentsia. Even if neither of you gravitate toward indie films by nature, when the lights dim at the local single screen, you?ll enjoy the sensation of your largest sex organ being massaged -- we?re talking about your brain, of course. 

7. A Group Date With Your Lover?s BFFs - If your goal is to clock some alone time with your sweetie, this might not be the way to go, but never underestimate the sexiness of letting your boo show you off to their inner circle of friends. This is a rare chance for you to display your charms (little things like opening the car or restaurant door, taking their coat or pulling out their chair before they sit down). The group date can earn you a certified thumbs up in new relationships or allow your significant other to reconnect with friends that they may have blown off recently to be with you.

8. Blue Collar Bowling - When?s the last time you saw your baby handle balls this heavy? While it may not sound sexy in the traditional sense, there?s something about the timeless thrill of watching your date bowl their first strike that?ll make you both forget you?re wearing bad, borrowed shoes on a frigid winter night.

9 . A Night at the Museum - No, we?re not suggesting that you try to impress your date by treating them to a Ben Stiller movie. Instead, why not get your culture on and hit up that new art exhibit your weekly alternative paper is raving about? It will give the two of you an excuse to ditch the sweatpants, drive to the other side of town and use some of that fancy vocabulary you learned in Art History.

Sexy Dates for $100 or Less

12 . Paint Night at the Pub - Show off your inner Picasso if you?ve got hidden art skills, or show your vulnerable side with some self-effacing humour if your masterpiece wouldn?t even make it to your mom?s fridge. Either way, these trendy events are popping up in every city and usually involve libations, laughter and may even show your date what a renaissance man you secretly are. 

11. Salsa Dancing Class - Ay Caramba! We know, you could probably go your entire life without a single dance lesson and feel fine about it. Your partner, however, might get a real thrill out of the experience the two of you will enjoy by learning a few snazzy steps and taking the dance floor by storm when Mambo Number 5 spins at the next wedding reception you?re forced to attend. 

12. A Concert of Your Date?s Favourite Band - Get frisky in the cheap seats because this date?s getting cranked to 11! Nothing gets the blood moving like a killer band nailing your jams, but make this night about your partner?s favourite rockers. For an encore, try a little hanky panky in the parking lot for the full groupie sex fantasy. 

13. Bikram Yoga for Two - What better way to thaw those cold, achy bones than by spending the next hour and a half of your life in a 104° studio watching your lover do downward dog in tight black pants? Who knows, you might even learn some new poses that you can kama sutra into some sexy bedroom moves. Namaste all night!

14. The Mall: It?s Not Just for Awkward Teens Anymore - Chances are, your partner doesn?t have the same group of friends that they used to go to the local shopping mall with to try on outfits. What hasn?t changed is their desire to try on sexy clothes that might not normally fit into their budget. Take them to the stores that they want to visit, be a champ, man up and hold the purse while they try on some new threads. Offer to buy that killer ensemble that may only get seen once or twice when you splurge for an evening out in the next level of date night ideas.

Sexy Dates for Ballers with No Budget

15. Four-Star Staycation - A steamy evening out at the ritziest hotel in your hometown can do wonders for your relationship without the stress or expense of long distance traveling. Find a friend to watch the kids (or let your dog out), and treat your romance to the luxury it deserves. Leave the TV off, the phones on silent and make the night about rekindling your passion.

16. Rock Out With Your Bach Out - Dinner and a movie is a cliche for a reason. Show your significant other how significant they really are by breaking out your blazer and classing it up at the symphony. The humble brag Facebook post practically writes itself.   

17. The A-list Comedy Club Experience - Science will back up the fact that making your significant other laugh can often lead to heightened romance. While you may get off a clever one liner now and then, why not leave the heavy lifting to the humor pros and take your date to the best comedy club in town. We?re not talking open mic night at Uncle Chuckle?s Laugh-O-Rama here, we?re saying go all in on tickets for the comedians who have HBO specials. You know, the places that have a 2 drink minimum that would break your budget on most nights. Live a little, laugh a lot, and love longer, later!

18. Couples Massage - You?ve heard the term bandied about, now why not give it a try? For just over a cool hundred at most spas, the two of you can lay side by side and let the professionals take care of the foreplay. You?ll be so relaxed and refreshed after an hour of Enya and incense that the next logical step will be a sensual continuation of the caressing in the privacy of your boudoir.

19. A Weekend at the Nearest Ski Resort Chalet - When you?re ready to go for broke and indulge in the ultimate winter fantasy, whisk your date away for an all expenses paid mini-trip to the slopes. Even if your skills are more inclined toward tipsy tubing than carving a half pipe on the snowboard, it?s all about warming your bones by the lodge fire before retiring to your cabin for a nightcap and a romp on the rented king-size bed. 

Bonus Winter Date Idea:

We?d be remiss to not mention the sexiest and least expensive of all winter date ideas - sex itself!

20. Hot Sex on a Cold Night - We?re not talking about roll over and assume the position coitus. We?re talking about stepping outside of your comfort zone a bit and adding some class to your act. Warm up the ambiance with scented candles, cue up a sexy Spotify mix, uncork that bottle of holiday wine that your cool aunt bought you and try rolling in the deep for more than the 7.5 minute national average. 

If you really want to introduce some heat to your lovemaking, add a bit of Astroglide Warming Liquid to each other?s sensitive spots and feel the winter chill (and your inhibitions) melt away like snow in the spring!

If you?ve got any sexy date ideas that rocked one of your winter nights, please enlighten us in the comment section below. We?re always up for trying new ways to spice up our dating playbook.

5 Things You Need To Know Before Swinging

One of the highlights of my job involves hosting Playboy TV?s reality series, Swing. Each episode follows the story of a newbie couple that is considering the possibility of swinging for the very first time. I introduce them to a group of experienced swingers and walk them through their very first ?lifestyle? experience. Although I leave before the real fun goes down, I return the morning after to check in and support them through a debriefing.

Though I?ve been working with swingers for ten years, each show presents a learning experience. Some couples dive in headfirst and immediately establish themselves as lifelong swingers while others retreat and conclude that they?d rather remain monogamous. Here are some lessons I?ve learned from real-life swinger couples: 

1. Swinging isn?t for everyone.

Just like monogamy, swinging isn?t a universally successful experience - nor is it a panacea for a failing relationship. Some people are simply more inclined toward open relationships and others thrive on a lifetime of serial monogamy. Some couples find that swinging improves their relationship, but others find it exacerbates existing problems. 

Just as you should consider the potential positive and negative outcomes of marriage, so too should you weigh the pros and cons of swinging. You may even want to make individual lists and discuss them together.

2. Pressure is the antithesis to pleasure.

I often receive inquiries with regard to how one can convince their partner to swing. The short answer: you can?t.

If you have to talk your partner into swinging for the first time, you?re likely destined for disaster. In an ideal world, swinging brings you closer together, but this outcome is near impossible in the absence of mutual desire. Being a bit nervous is normal, but if your partner seems reticent, make your relationship a priority and put swinging on hold until you?re both feeling fully prepared. 

3. Rules are absolutely necessary

You?ll often hear experienced swingers proclaim that the only rules that matter are your rules and they couldn?t be more correct. You are the experts in your relationship, so although you can learn from relationship experts and more experienced couples, your unique insight and understanding of subjective experiences makes you the ultimate authority.

Establishing rules in advance is of paramount importance. Ask and answer as many questions as possible to prepare for a variety of outcomes:

• Are there sexual activities that are off-limits?
• What sexual activities are you comfortable engaging in?
• How will you communicate that you?re (un)comfortable with a particular couple?
• Do you have a safe word/signal that you can use in case you need to take a break?
• What would you like your partner to do if you use your safe word/signal?
• Are you interested in singles, other couples or groups?
• Would you rather ?play? in private or in public?
• Are you willing to play with the same couple more than once?
• Are you looking to develop lasting friendships with other couples or simply seeking casual sex?
• What will you do if your partner is interested in someone else, but you?re not interested in that person?s partner?
• How will you check in with one another during the experience?
• How will you meet other couples ? online or in-person? And is it acceptable to contact others online alone or only with your partner present?
• How will you debrief after your experience?

Revisit your rules periodically, as your feelings, desires and boundaries might change over time. 

4. Vulnerabilities are your greatest strengths

As with all sexual and relational experiences, swinging will elicit both positive and negative emotional reactions. Be prepared to talk about them: the good, the bad and the ugly. I find that some couples are so enthralled with the concept of swinging that they sometimes forget that problems can arise. 

Jealousy, insecurity and fear are normal emotions, so it?s important to acknowledge them. They?re not a sign of a failing relationship and when you talk about undesirable emotions openly and offer your partner feedback and reassurance, they can become sources of strength in your relationship. 

5. Voyeurism has its perks

If you?re new to swinging, I suggest that you spend some time hanging out at lifestyle clubs or parties with the agreement that you?ll only observe and engage in friendly conversations. Making a pact not to engage in any sexual activities for the few visits can help to alleviate pressure and allow you to familiarise yourself with the scene. Many clubs offer tours for newbie couples and the host couples will likely be willing to answer any questions you may have about the lifestyle. 

So there you have it ? five guidelines for exploring a healthy open relationship. Use this advice to keep the conversation going with your partner. If you?ve got some helpful advice for newbies that you?d like to share, feel free to contribute in the comment section below. And if you have additional questions, consider this a judgment-free zone where you can ask any questions that you might have regarding the exciting lifestyle of consensual non-monogamy.

Valentine's Day Gifts for Every Stage of Your Relationship

Ever been gifted a pair of edible panties on your second date? Do you have a husband of 30 years who thinks a $5 box of chocolates from the petrol station is the epitome of romance? When it comes to Valentine?s Day gifts, some shoppers are truly clueless -- but you don?t have to be one of them. Just steal some of our ideas to make sure this year?s V-Day gift is appropriate, fun and most importantly, sexy.

Booty Call Buddies.

You get to do the no pants dance and there?s no threat of being forced to meet the parents -- it may just be the best of all possible worlds. Celebrate your purely sexual relationship by gifting your romping partner a box of sex toys you can use together. If you?re pretty vanilla, keep it simple with a silk blindfold, some fuzzy cuffs and sleek couple?s vibrator like the Lelo IDA. Add in a toy-friendly water-based lube like Astroglide Gel for the perfect playtime present.

Deeply in ?Like.?

You?ve been dating exclusively for a few months, but neither of you have dropped the big ?L word.? You don?t want to give a gift that?s purely sexual, but you aren?t exactly ready to buy a ring either. We recommend a weekend away. Why not spend a few days skiing and cozying up in a private cabin? Enjoy some sparkling wine in a hot tub and watch the sparks fly! Remember -- Astroglide Diamond Silicone Gel is great for water-play, so don?t forget to pack those waterproof sex toys!

Love on Lockdown.

You?re at the point in your relationship where you get invited to dinner parties as a couple and everyone you know views you as a single unit -- which kind of makes you feel like some cool superhero duo. You?re no longer worried about scaring your partner off with ?adventurous? gifts, so take advantage of that security and get a little wild. Try a new twist on that jewelry gift by giving her this Incognito Droplet Necklace with built-in vibrating nipple clamps. Or spring for something you can both enjoy and invest in a perennial favourite -- the Hitachi Magic Wand.

Lifelong Lovebirds.

When you?ve been together longer than you?ve been apart, passionate lovemaking sessions might be a rarity. Reconnect by choosing gifts that are more sensual than sexual -- like a massage oil candle. Not only will the candlelight set the mood, but once melted, the wax can be used as a soothing massage oil. Perfect for pampering your partner and falling in love (and lust) all over again.

Still not quite sure if these Valentine?s Day gifts would hit the mark? Then try this -- think back to the gifts your partner has given you in the past. Their gifting strategy can tell you a lot about what they think is sexy and romantic, so try mimicking their giving style. 

And before you head out to get your gift, help your fellow shoppers pick the perfect present by telling us in a comment -- what?s the best Valentine?s Day gift you ever received? Even better -- what was the worst?

 50 Shades of Not-Okay: What the Book Got Wrong

 

Not since the heyday of Fabio-covered paperback romance novels has erotic literature been so prevalent on the nightstands of horny housewives. The tome that changed the landscape of the kink-curious masses is, of course, Fifty Shades of Grey. Yet unlike previous generations of cleverly disguised smut, Shades touched a nerve with a wider demographic, including millions of young women who graduated from the fairytale land of Twilight less than a decade ago.

What was it that compelled over 100 million people to purchase British author E. L. James?s 2011 erotic romance novel? In a word - escape. Yet the book, its two sequels and the new film adaptation have caused an uproar within the BDSM community, as many feel the story incorrectly portrays the world of bondage.

 

What?s the number one bone of contention? Namely, consent (or rather, lack thereof) between the dominant Christian Grey and his curious sub, Anastasia. We?ll let the expert critics explain what they feel the books got wrong about the true world of bondage.

 

What did 50 Shades of Grey get wrong?

Astroglide?s Resident Sexologist and author of The Little Book of Kink, Jess, is quick to point out one of the stereotypes that the book, perhaps inadvertently, perpetuates. 

 

?Christian Grey?s interest in BDSM is tied to his mother?s abuse and neglect reinforcing the myth that kinky people are abuse victims. This is certainly not the case.

Mistress Trinity (a sex-positive feminist, dominatrix and kink expert with a Master's degree in Philosophy) agrees with the negative connotations of the abuse myth. In her recent Huffington Post article, Fifty Shades of Meh: A Real Dominatrix Takes On the Bestseller, she explains her view.

 

?Fifty Shades doesn't explore BDSM as a potentially meaningful, consensual sexual practice to the individual or collective female experience. Rather, the book keeps the taboo in kink with the misconception that a person must be really messed up (abused) to explore this erotic practice. It also doesn't explore the beauty and the power of submission, nor does it touch on the harder elements of BDSM play.?

 

?Most people enjoy some component of kinky sex (blindfolds, spanking, dirty talk, etc.) and their preferences are not the result of childhood abuse, period,? continues Jess. ?Research continues to confirm that a history of childhood abuse is no higher within kink communities and the attachment styles of kinksters are in no way significantly different from those who identify as vanilla.?

 

Beyond unfairly linking childhood abuse with the bondage community, what is it about this particular story that gets under the skin of those who had already embraced the lifestyle? To get to the heart of the debate, we spoke with Mike Stabile, the head of media relations for San Francisco's Kink University. If this sounds like the type of school you?d like to attend, you?re probably right. Among other pro-kink events, they?re running a four-day 50 Skills of Grey Symposium, precisely because they think that proper BDSM practices aren't represented in the movie. 

?Perhaps the biggest issue in 50 Shades is the disregard for consent.? Stabile says. 

?Consent is the cornerstone of BDSM, and it's what separates the fantasy of control with actual control,? Stabile continues. ?Sure, Christian presents Anastasia with a contract. But later he disregards it, as he does with safe words, as an impediment. In real BDSM, the submissive is always the one in control, the one who determines what can or cannot be done, when the scene is stopped. The fantasy may be that all control has been given away -- but in reality, a submissive can and should be able to revoke their consent at anytime.? 

 

So the Fifty Shades of Grey story stereotypes BDSM participants as abuse victims and misses the mark on consent. Certainly, such a wildly popular novel couldn?t have done anything else to raise the ire of such a liberal-minded community as kink enthusiasts? But wait, there?s more?

Darren Michaels, author of Flipside Erotica Presents: Both Sides of the Story, offers his critique. ?There were several points in the BDSM realm that 50 Shades missed. First and foremost, the ?romantically falling in love at the end? premise is weak. BDSM is about control -- one person is in control and the other one submits. This is somewhat of a hard and fast rule as far as I'm aware.?

 

That often misunderstood dynamic of control is also a concern of Tammy Nelson,  Sexologist and author of Getting the Sex You Want. ?BDSM, or bondage, discipline or domination, sado-masochism, is really about power and someone being in control. And yet the submissive partner is always the one who has the most control. The one who is submissive always has the ability to use a safe word and can stop the ?play? at any time.?

 

But surely most of the Fifty Shades audience is aware that they?re experiencing a fictional story and can separate the fantasy of an author from the reality of a lifestyle enjoyed by consenting adults, right? Not necessarily, according to  Nelson.

?Young women watching the movie or reading the book may mistake power for giving in, giving up and for signing off. My fear is that less experienced women who are watching the movie will start responding to their boyfriends and husbands in ways that allow things to happen that are not pleasurable, that cause pain without pleasure and that could be dangerous. Or worse, some women may even begin to contact men online, predators looking for a submissive woman, and they will sign up for something they are not prepared to experience.?

 

When asked what sort of confusion Fifty Shades of Grey has caused her clients, Nelson says, ?One thing that couples want to know is how to create the dynamic of a BDSM relationship, without ?hurting? their partner. They look to Fifty Shades of Grey as a manual. But they could be getting themselves, and their partner, into trouble.?

 

What did 50 Shades of Grey get right?

Despite the contradictions between this novel and what most people who identify as kinky proclaim to be the rules of BDSM -- even the harshest critics admit that the spotlight shining on the world of whips and chains has a bright side. Darren Michaels sees one important upside to the world?s relatively sudden mass-exposure to kink. ?On a positive note, the breakdown of barriers and cultural acceptance of a typically taboo topic is wonderful.?

 

Tammy Nelson also agrees that the hoopla surrounding the Fifty Shades of Grey book series, and now the film, is not without its merits. She points to a unique aspect of the story that often gets overshadowed by the darker elements.

?Most bodice rippers are about capturing the heart and sexual attention of a man who is a chronic bad boy, a man who has sex with other women and who finally pays attention to us. But not here. We finally have a sexual hero who throws us down on the bed, rips our clothes off, ties us up and spanks the hell out of us.? 

So what does inspire millions of ?vanilla? sex lovers to stretch their boundaries and explore?or at least fantasise about?the type of kinky pleasures written about in Fifty Shades of Grey? Jess sums it up quite simply. ?The desire for kinky sex likely develops as a result of both evolutionary and cultural factors, as it incorporates primal urges, taboo subjects, novelty, physical excitement and intense interpersonal connections.?

 

Whichever side of the Fifty Shades debate you lean toward, one thing is undeniable: this story has dominated the conversation around kinky sex more than any other in our lifetime. We encourage an open dialogue with your partners before you explore any rough stuff. For a quick primer course, be sure to read Jess?s article, A Lighter Shade of Grey: the Beginner's Guide to Kink. 

 

Have the experts in this article changed the way you view E. L. James?s popular novel and the hype surrounding it?

 7 Must-Have Additions to Your S&M Toy Box

Unlike cats and creepy porcelain dolls, you can never have too many sex toys. From vibes to whips, slings to swings -- sex toys are kind of like kinky little snowflakes, and no two are exactly alike. That?s part of what makes creating your own collection of bedroom bondage gear so fun. If you?re ready to give it a go and begin building your own lusty legacy, we?ve got the shopping list to stock you S&M toy box. This list will help you fulfill every shade of your wildest fantasies.

 

1.)   The Right Chest

Before you can start amassing your kinky arsenal, you?ll need to choose how you?ll store your sex toys.

 

A Tiny Toy Box. Not all of us need an extra room to store all of our bedroom bondage gear. If you think you?ll be happy with a few small spicy items, choose a toy box that?s small enough to fit on your nightstand. You can even re-purpose a jewellry box like this one that?s lined with red velvet.

 

Secret Storage. Want to make the most of your toy box? Store your sex toys in an ottoman with a secret compartment. There?s never been a spicier way to add seating to your bedroom!

 

Naughty Narnia. If you?re planning on collecting as many kinky toys and tools as you can get your hands on, we recommend opting for a full wardrobe -- one with locks, of course.

 

2.) Classic Sex Toys

Old Faithful. If there?s a sex toy more widely used than the dildo, we can?t think of it. Try a simple dildo with a sleek design that?s sure to offer G-spot stimulation like the LELO Ella. And don?t forget about the male G-spot!

 

Good Vibrations. Ramp that dildo up a notch by selecting one with multiple vibration settings. Choose a ?rabbit? style vibe for added clitoral stimulation or ditch the dildo style altogether and opt for a more precise pocket vibe.

 

The Perfect Plug. Anal plugs come in third in our list of classic sex toys. To make this addition to your toy chest special, choose a blown glass or jewelled plug with extra sparkle.

 

3.) Whips, Feathers and Crops (OH MY!)

Light as a Feather. Tantalise and tease with a classic feather whip. If you?ve never used a whip before in the bedroom, this is a great place to start.

 

A Training Crop. Nothing helps an eager partner obey your commands better than a classic riding crop.

 

Get Cracking. If you?re ready to really punish that naughty partner of yours, adding a leather whip with a braided handle to your sex toy box is an absolute must.

 

4.) Bedroom Bondage Tools

Beginner?s Bondage. If you?ve never been tied up or tied up someone yourself, beginning with bondage tape is the way to go. It allows you to practice and experiment safely and easily until you figure out the bondage scenarios and positions that really rev your engines.

 

Sexy Straps. Make the most of that four-post bed with a bedroom restraint kit. You?ll love teasing and pleasing your partner as they beg for release.

 

Roped and Ready. Where art meets BDSM, you?ll find Japanese bondage rope. Its strength and silky texture make it perfect for putting partners in any position you can dream up -- and keeping them there for as long as they like. 

 

5.) Collars and Cuffs 

 

Comfy Collar. Not all collars are created equal. Choose one that?ll keep your partner comfortable -- like this adjustable collar that?s lined with soft faux fur.

 

Kinky Cuffs. Forget metal police cuffs that can cut and bruise wrists. Opt for supple leather cuffs instead. You can even match them to your collar to complete your look!

 

Leading Leashes. What?s the use of a collar without a leash? Faux or real leather versions can even double as whips for impact play.

 

6.) The Perfect Sex Lube 

 

Silicone Lube. If you?re getting down and dirty with a whole collection of new whips and chains, consider Astroglide X Silicone your new favourite sex lube. This unique formula boasts serious staying power, and it?s great for water play.

 

Warming Lube. Astroglide Warming Lube is great for getting in the mood -- and even better for teasing a partner with vibes and other toys while they?re tied up!

 

Gentle Lube. In the world of S&M, there?s good pain and there?s bad pain. For sensitive skin, there?s no better choice of sex lube than Astroglide Sensitive Skin Gel.

 

7.) Slings and Swings

Classic Swing. You may need a bigger toy box for this one. Adjustable ceiling-hanging harnesses like the Trinity Sex Swing include padded stirrups for comfort and powerful springs to making swinging and bouncing even more fun.

 

Suspension Bars. Use a suspension bar to immobilise your partner?s hands or feet (or both) while you tease them with all your favourite sex toys.

 

Arm Binders. If you don?t have the patience for tying intricate knots with Japanese bondage rope, arm and leg binders are the way to go.

 

You could rush out and buy everything on this list, but if you ask us it?s much more fun to purchase sex toys one at a time -- it prolongs the excitement and helps you learn what you like as you go. Plus, springing a single pocket vibe or satin blindfold on your partner is a lot less jarring than welcoming them home from a weekend away with a completely outfitted pleasure dungeon.

 

 41 Sex Terms You Probably Didn't Know Existed

 

Think you know all there is to know about sex? We bet some of these sex terms will surprise you. Thanks to the real-time nature of social media, language is evolving faster than a radio host on an Astroglide-covered Slip-N-Slide!

Luckily for you, we?ve compiled a mini dictionary of sexual descriptions that you may have heard your friends mention in a joke, but were too embarrassed to admit not knowing the definition of. (Don?t worry, we had to Google sploshing, too.)

18 Fetishes That Actually Exist

With so much hype surrounding a certain kinky book and film these days, fetishes involving handcuffs and blindfolds have become mainstream. Meanwhile, countless sex enthusiasts are quietly enjoying a host of fetishes that many people might be surprised to learn actually exist. 

 

In our ongoing campaign of inclusivity, we thought it was only fair to shine a spotlight on some of these lesser-known fetishes that are just as real as BDSM to the people who partake in them.

 

1.  Agalmatophilia - So you fancy yourself an art lover? If your attraction to statues extends into sexual fantasy, you might have agalmatophilia. This fetish also involves a lust for mannequins and dolls, which is a bit easier to appease with the realism of today?s modern sex dolls.

2.  Autoplushophilia - Do you get aroused dressing up as a giant cartoon-like stuffed animal? You?re not alone. Many fine folks within the furry fandom community enjoy this fun fetish while only a small percentage of them also claim to be plushophiles (i.e., turned on by stuffed animals).

3.  Formicophilia - Believe it or not, there are people who not only enjoy having insects crawl on them, but get their jollies from it. To each their own but, we have to be honest, this one sort of bugs us. 

4.  Gerontophilia - Although recent research shows that the number one term people search for on porn sites is ?teen? followed by ?milf? in third-place, the nubile college girls and sly cougars aren?t for everyone. Gerontophilia refers to those who prefer the sexual allure of senior citizens. Score one for the Golden Girls!

5.  Katoptronophilia - If you?ve ever fantasized about getting busy in the House of Mirrors at your local carnival, you may have katoptronophilia -- a condition that involves being aroused by having sex in front of mirrors. Then again, you may just be extremely vain -- like Patrick Bateman in American Psycho vain. 

6.  Knismolagnia - Do you consider being tickled torturous or titillating? If you chose the latter, you may be a knismolagniac. If you are, you might want to seek out playmates who have titillagnia (you guessed it, a sexual fetish for tickling others). 

7.  Nasolingus - While sex organs and occasionally fingers or toes are often thought of as the most erogenous appendages to nibble and suck on, people with nasolingus are far more turned on by sucking on their partner?s nose. This gives a whole new meaning to the term, nose job.

8.  Nebulophilia - If you?ve ever wondered why you get excited on foggy mornings, it could be more than an affinity for John Carpenter?s 1980 horror classic -- you may actually be sexually attracted to the fog! 

9.  Podophilia - No, we?re not talking about a sci-fi fetish involving sex in a Matrix-like pod. Podophilia is an arousal to feet and it?s actually one of the more common kinks on our list. Don?t believe us? Google ?foot fetish? -- we?ll wait. Just be sure to clear your browser history if you?re reading this at work.

10.  Pubephilia - More than one recent report indicates that pubic hair is making a comeback. If you have pubephilia, this could be the dawning of a glorious new era in hair down there.

11.  Oculophilia - Oculophiles are people who have a sexual attraction to eyes. This could be as mild as a proclivity for a certain shape or eye colour, but more often oculophilia refers to those who actually prefer sexual contact with the eyeball. With this vision in mind, you?ll never look at your optometrist the same.

12.  Osmolagnia - Some people need dirty talk to get their juices flowing. Others require a sexy visual. Osmolagniacs, on the other hand, are most stimulated by smells (particularly body odors). So take it easy on the Axe Body Spray and let your pheromones do their thing the way nature intended. 

13.  Pony Play - One of the most popular forms of human animal roleplay is Pony Play. We?re not talking about the adult version of playing dollie with your My Little Pony figures. This is a real, underground scene and offshoot of the BDSM community in which one partner takes on the role of a pony. This often includes harnesses, brushes, costumes, and even rewarding good behavior with a carrot (though we?re not sure if that?s metaphorically speaking or refers to actual vegetable treats).

14.  Retifism - Jess points out on her blog that retifism refers to sexual arousal that is derived from shoes. As she so eloquently explains ?Since the foot is the most common fetish in North America, it?s no surprise that there are a ton of retifists in our midst. Here?s to sky-high heels in the bedroom!?

15.  Salirophilia - Salirophiles enjoy dirtying, damaging and defiling the appearance others. If you?ve ever fantasised about smearing someone?s makeup or tearing their clothing to shreds, you may be a salirophile. If you plan to act on this urge, be sure to get consent (and the number of a good tailor).  

16.  Sapiosexual - If you find yourself coyly lingering around your professor?s podium after class or if crashing a MENSA meeting is your idea of the perfect singles club -- you may be a sapiosexual. This means you?re turned on by intelligence smarty pants. 

17.  Sacofricosis - While we consider this more a stroke of genius than a fetish, sacofricosis is when someone makes a hole in their pocket to allow handy access for stealth public masturbation. 

18.  Xylophilia - Does wood, well, give you wood? Xylophilia is an actual fetish and might just explain why some of your schoolmates spent so much time earning extra credit in woodshop class. Watch out for splinters!

Bonus Round -- 23 Sexual Innuendos 

Now that you?ve done your homework and increased your coital vocabulary to sexpert level, we thought it would be fun to end the article with a less scholastic list of sex terms.

Even the word ?innuendo? sounds dirty in a juvenile way. Here are some of our favourite euphemisms for intercourse that might just make your mum blush. 

1. Banging	7. Doing the Nasty	13. Humping	19. Quickie
2. Boinking	8. Getting Busy	14. Knocking Boots	20. Rolling in the Hay
3. Boning	9. Getting Your Groove On	15. Making the Beast with Two Backs	21. Screwing
4. Bumping Uglies	10. Gland-to-Gland Combat	16. Making Sexy Time	22. Shagging
5. Doing It	11. Hanky Panky	17. Making Whoopee	23. Sleeping Together
6. Doing the Mattress Dance	12. Hooking Up	18. Nooner

So there you have it -- a glorious glossary to bookmark and share. As mature as we try to be, sex terms still have a way of making us giggle like school children telling dirty jokes at recess. There?s no shame in that because in addition to providing the best lube for sex, Astroglide is committed to removing the stigma and taboo surrounding conversations about sex.

 

6 Sexperts Explain How to Keep Your Long Distance Relationship Hot

How do you maintain a healthy sex life when you and your partner live hundreds or thousands of kilometres apart? Perhaps one or both of you travel a lot for work or maybe you?ve got a spouse stationed overseas for an assignment. While it?s said that absence makes the heart grow fonder, staying sexually satisfied in a monogamous relationship presents unique challenges when the physical touch of your lover is beyond your fingertips.

 

We reached out to six leading sexperts who share their best tips to help you keep your LDR (long distance relationship) smoking hot!

1. Let?s kick off our column with The Love Guru Blaire who founded Six Figure Singles, a site that helps traveling executives, entrepreneurs and celebrities find healthy relationships. Her short, concise advice will be a common thread throughout this article. Blaire?s simple tip to keep the LDR burning?  ?Web chat ? sexy web cam and mutual masturbation phone sex.?

2. Not comfortable getting frisky online or over the phone? Astroglide?s Resident Sexologist, Jess has some creative advice for bashful communicators. ?Get racy in the dark. Filming yourself in the throes of solo passion might be too intimidating, so consider sending a very short clip of your self-pleasure session filmed in the dark. Your lover will benefit from the sounds -- and the lack of a clear picture helps to build mystery and anticipation.?

Jess is no stranger to maintaining the LDR (to get an idea of her demanding travel schedule, simply take a look at the events page on her website). So aside from gifting your distant lover with steamy masturbation clips, what real-time methods does she recommend for interactive thrills? ?Meet in an adult chat room online and get naughty! Using a nickname might help you to shed your inhibitions.?

3. Tina B. Tessina, (aka D Romance) who [literally] wrote the book on staying close during a long distance relationship. She?s the author of The Commuter Marriage: Keep Your Relationship Close While You're Far Apart. D Romance makes a good point in that you can plant the seeds for your time apart before your partner leaves, then follow through with her relationship maintenance tips once you?re apart:

Leave Notes: Before you leave on a trip, plant some little post-it notes -- inside the cupboard doors, in the mailbox, under your spouse's pillow, etc. If you're the stay-at-home spouse, tuck a few surprises into your mate's suitcase, briefcase or between the pages of a book he or she is taking.

Daily Special Phone Call: Keep the phone as special as you can. Handle mundane business via email, IM or text message and keep the phone for making that intimate connection. As often as possible, schedule a phone call every day?at a quiet time?for some intimate conversation. If you have children, either speak to them first or in a separate call. If you do need to make a call to handle problems, business or decisions (or if you don't have access to email) then find a way to designate a special call for intimate conversation or, at the very least, develop a signal to say that the business part of the call is over and your special time is beginning.

Use Snail Mail: Nothing is more intimate than a love note. Mail is one of the advantages living apart has over living together. Sending little gifts, notes, cards, postcards or pictures to your partner (whether you're the one at home or the one away) takes only a moment and racks up a huge score on the intimacy chart. 

When you're at a chemist , grocery store or card shop, pick up a few affectionate or amusing cards, and maybe a little gift or two (it doesn't need to be expensive, a keychain or candle is fine) and then send them at random moments. Send a postcard with a scene of where you are, or a cartoon cut from the paper or a magazine. If you have cards, stamps and envelopes on hand, it's very simple to drop one in the mail.

Create a Smile: Think in terms of making your partner smile as often as you can while you're apart. If you have a nice thought about a time you spent together, write it down so you don't forget to talk about it.

4. Dawn Serra is a sex and relationship coach who?s managed to maintain a thriving sex life, despite being in a long-distance relationship for over a year. She states positively ?Maintaining a healthy sex life across any distance is so easy these days. All it takes is a little flexibility, some creativity and prioritising the time.?

Here are some tips that have helped Dawn?s LDR maintain its steamy status:

¡ñ  Send each other letters (the old fashioned way) outlining your latest fantasy.

¡ñ  Schedule date nights a few times per week and work around time differences in creative ways. Text each other sexy, naughty thoughts throughout the day (if you're international, spend the $5 or $10 per month for an international texting plan -- it's worth it!). Leverage Skype or Facetime and put on a little show for each other. Record naughty voice messages of yourself masturbating or speaking an erotic scene and email it to your lover so they can listen to it again and again.

¡ñ  When you schedule phone sex (or video chat sex), turn off all other distractions, get comfortable and let loose. The first few times may feel awkward but soon it will be a sexy ritual you both look forward to. Tease each other -- draw it out to build anticipation.

¡ñ  Tell each other when you masturbate and what you were thinking about. Send sexy pictures using SnapChat or write sexy little notes and take pictures of those to email or put on their Facebook wall.

¡ñ  Buy toys that you can use in tandem - if you're a hetero straight couple, the woman can get a dildo or vibrator that's similar in size to her partner and he can get a Fleshlight or something similar. Dictate to each other exactly when the penetration happens, sync up, and make it feel really real. Lose yourself in the moment. There's nothing sexier than hearing your lover lost in pleasure. The new WeVibe 4 can be controlled using an app on your iPhone, so one partner can wear it and the other can control when it turns on and off for some long distance fun!

Ms. Serra sums up the LDR challenge. ?The only thing limiting your sex life when you're in different locations is your imagination. You MUST schedule it and make it a priority. After that, the sky?s the limit.?

5. Karen Park is an erotica author who lives in Korea yet her boyfriend is in the U.S. -- so she has first-hand experience with the LDR challenge. Karen explains ?While we see each other in person every two months or so, most of our communication is via text and Skype. I am constantly creating sexy scenarios and I often use my boyfriend for inspiration. During the day, I'll text him a teaser of a scene I'm working on -- it's like foreplay that goes on until the next time we're together.? 

While that may be easy for a writer, what if you?re literally challenged? No problem, says Park, ?I also have a nice collection of vintage pulp erotica and sometimes on Skype I'll read him a particularly sexy scene. That will lead to a conversation about things we'd like to do together in bed and it definitely makes us feel closer, even though we can't touch physically.?

6. The final expert on our panel is Dallisa Hocking, founder of LoveFrogKisser.com a new web service dedicated to helping people develop meaningful relationships online. Her advice includes building intimacy between visits to create a more fulfilling sex life.

Ms. Hocking advises ?Treat the time you have between visits as an opportunity to create a deeper connection with one another. It takes time and daily commitment from both people to keep the fire burning.? How does she propose you do this? Here are her tips for you to try:

¡ñ  Send daily text messages that are specific and detailed. Examples could include: "I want to do ___ and ___ when I see you." Let your imagination guide you. 

¡ñ  Be creative. Send a handwritten note in the mail, a recent photo and card from a recent visit or a token from the last time you saw them. An example could include sending a wine cork from a bottle of wine you shared along with a note about how you're looking forward to toasting with them again soon. 

¡ñ  Use technology to have virtual dates. Move beyond text messages and use FaceTime or Skype to connect. Examples include: having a drink at home "together" after work or cooking dinner at the same time and reflecting on what happened during the day. This takes time and effort, but the connection creates intimacy.

Hocking admits ?Long distance relationships are a challenge, but they can succeed and flourish. But, it takes attention and creativity to keep the spark alive.?

So what have we learned from our esteemed panel of unique relationship experts? We?ve broken it down into three essential takeaway tips for you:

1.  Communication is Key - Sexting, Skype, steamy calls and even sexy snail mail are all tools that can keep your long distance relationship hot. If you?re nervous about your kinky messages being seen by the wrong person, there?s an app for that! Plume is a free iPhone app developed by CEO Amy Galland because she wanted to ?create something private, flirty, sensual and secure for people to use to keep their long-distance relationships spicy.?

2.  Schedule Sexytime - While spontaneity is fun under normal relationship circumstances, when your lover is away, schedule specific times to intimately connect (the suspense of waiting for that naughty Skype or Viber  is a form of foreplay in itself!) 

3.  Stay Creative - Use the time between distant rendezvous to dream up erotic new ways to treat your faraway friend to a fresh encounter. Without the benefit of being able to touch them physically, the scenarios you plant into their imagination will have to keep them titillated while they pleasure themselves to your image and ideas.

The general consensus is that distance?while emotionally difficult?can actually lead to a stronger bond as you?re forced to express your passion in different ways. Since you?ll be handling a lot of the physical touching yourself, be sure to keep a fresh supply of your favourite personal lubricant next to your bed. While you?re at it, be a team player and slip a travel-size bottle of Astroglide into your partner?s overnight bag. That way you?ll both share the sensation of a well-lubed, long distance love making session when it?s time to reach out and touch someone!

 

 

 

 

4 Myths About Silicone Lube Debunked

With so many varieties of personal lubricants available these days, choosing which lube is right for you can be a daunting task. No worries, Astroglide?s handy lube selector tool will help you narrow down your choices in just a few clicks. Let?s say you?re looking for a lubricant that feels smooth after use, lasts a long time and can be used during water play. If that describes you, chances are good that the best lube for you is one of our silicone based lubricants.

But is silicone lube safe? And can you use it with sex toys? We decided to address and debunk some of the myths that you may have heard about silicone lubricants -- because it turns out, there are quite a few of them.

Myth 1: Silicone lube will destroy all of your sex toys

Many people are under the false impression that silicone lubricants will damage all of their sex toys. As Lubezilla points out, ?silicone based lubes are fine on toys made of hard materials, like hard plastic, aluminum, ceramic, steel, granite, wood, marble, etc.?

If your sex toy itself is made of or contains silicone, you may want to stick to water based lubricants like Astroglide Liquid or Astroglide Gel. Many reports indicate that silicone lubricants do deteriorate softer sex toys that may also contain silicone, jelly or CyberSkin, due to the way that silicone molecules react with other silicone products. 

Myth 2: Silicone lubricants will irritate skin

While everyone?s skin reacts differently to different substances, the fact is silicone lubes are hypoallergenic - meaning these types of personal lubricants are relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. This is good news for people who may have experienced irritation with other lubricants. As with any product you?re putting on your skin, you may want to test a small patch for reaction before applying lube to your most sensitive regions. 

The inert qualities of silicone lubricants may actually prevent them from causing a negative reaction. Additionally, many people prefer the silky texture of silicone lube over water based lubes, and enjoy the moisturising effect that it has on their skin. 

Myth 3: Silicone lube is messy

While it?s true that silicone lubricants may not have the water solubility properties of our water based lubes like Astroglide Naturally Derived Liquid, there are benefits to certain silicone lubes that actually make them less messy. For instance, Astroglide Diamond Silicone Gel?s thick, no-drip viscosity means that it stays put where you apply it and is less likely to run off of your body and onto your sheets. 

Meanwhile, our other silicone lube?Astroglide X Silicone Liquid?is extremely long lasting compared to most water based lubricants. This means that you?ll get more mileage out of one application with less need to stop the action to apply more. The fewer times you have to reach for the bottle of lube, the less chance of accidental spillage.

Myth 4: Silicone lubricant products are too expensive

Speaking of long-lasting lubricants, both X Silicone Liquid and Diamond Silicone Gel have a tendency to maintain their slipperiness longer than water based lubes, so a little goes a long way. While you may initially pay a few dollars extra for a premium silicone lube, it?s likely to last longer because you won?t need as much of it to get the job done. So the value of the product evens out and with the difference in price negligible, this shouldn?t be the determining factor when asking yourself ?which lube is right for me??  

We understand that sometimes money is tight, so if you?re still unsure whether or not silicone lube is as amazing as people say, we?ll put our money where your mouth is. Astroglide will mail you a sample of our new Diamond Silicone Gel (which includes a smooth, fractionated coconut oil) or our popular X Silicone Liquid (made with just two ingredients) to test for yourself. 

Are there other unique benefits of silicone based lubricants?

So now we know that silicone lubricants are longer lasting, latex safe and leave your skin with a silky smooth feeling -- but what else separates them from the water based lube products we offer? 

One of the biggest advantages of silicone lubes is that they?re waterproof! Yes, the natural ability of silicone to resist water means that these lubes work great in settings where other lubes wash away. So if you?re into hot tub loving or enjoy extra steamy showers, silicone will stay slick for your water sports and wash away with soap, water and a towel when you?re ready to dry off. Use caution when enjoying silicone lubricants for water play. The same waterproof properties that keep the lube slippery on your skin can make the surface of tubs extremely slick. Watch your footing and be sure to wipe up remaining residue from surfaces once playtime is over. 

Now that you?re a lube pro, we encourage you to compare silicone based to water based lubes and tell us which type of Astroglide is the best fit for your lifestyle!

Everything You Need to Know About Personal Lubricants (But Were Too Afraid to Ask)

When you work around personal lubricants for a living, it?s easy to take for granted that not everyone is aware of the wonderful benefits lube provides to people who are seeking a more comfortable, intimate experience. Every now and then, we have to step back and remind ourselves that there are still many folks out there who have either a) never tried lube or b) don?t even know that it exists or what it?s for. One of our goals at Astroglide is to help educate the public on the role lube can play in enhancing their sexual experience.

We also think it?s important to debunk myths about personal lubricant, and provide a reliable source of information for people to learn about lube before making up their own minds about which type of lube is right for them. Ultimately, whether you decide to incorporate personal lubricant as part of your sexual experience or not is up to you, but we want to be certain that if you choose not to, it isn?t due to any outdated stigma or misinformation. 

This is why we?ve created the following list of things you need to know about lube, but may have been afraid to ask.

What is a personal lubricant?

A personal lubricant is a water, silicone or oil-based substance that is used to reduce friction, dryness and chafing of your body parts during sex. Lubricants, such as those made by Astroglide, can also be used to help relieve vaginal dryness / menopause dryness which can result from dehydration due to menopause, breast feeding, treatment side-effects, post treatment, stress or any number of factors. 

What is lube made of?

There are many different formulas for the various types of lubricants on the shelves today, but the reason Astroglide has become an industry leader in this market is that we keep our product line narrowed down to two basic categories: water based lubricants and silicone based lubes. 

We also believe that the public has the right to know what goes into any substance they?re applying to their body, which is why we list the ingredients of each of our lubes on their individual product pages. We believe this transparency builds a level of trust with our customers, and allows each person to discover which product is the best fit for their body and lifestyle. 

Which is better, water based or silicone based lube?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions about personal lubes and, again, the answer as to which lube base is best for you depends on many factors. For example, if you?re someone who loves to play in the water with your significant other, the waterproof qualities of our silicone based lubes are a great fit for your fetish. 

If, however, your favourite pastime involves self-play on fancy satin sheets with a variety of soft silicone sex toys, then you?d want to choose one of our water based lubes for that. Water based lubes rinse off easily and won?t break down the silicone coating used on certain sex toys. 

Do I really need to use a personal lubricant? 

There are as many answers to this question as there are people who ask it, because the true answer is unique to each individual. Even if you?ve enjoyed sex for years without any additional lubrication, you might want to broaden your horizons and see what all of the hype is about when it comes to the sensations many people enjoy after adding lube to their repertoire. 

Keeping your sex life fresh and exciting requires a bit of creativity. If you?re the type of lover who likes to go above and beyond the missionary requirements, you should consider introducing a few special effects to your performance. Why not stimulate all of your partner?s senses next time by surprising them with the subtle, sweet taste of Astroglide Strawberry Liquid for an oral experience they?ll never forget? 

Like it spicy? Astroglide Warming Liquid will make those sensitive spots tingle in ways that no ordinary lube can. Gentle, yet exhilarating, the sensation of this specialty lube will turn the heat up on your passion even on the coldest of nights. 

Why should I use a personal lubricant? 

Think back to your high school physics class when you learned about the potentially harmful impact of friction. Better yet, let?s look at the Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition. 

friction noun fric·tion ?frik-sh?n - the force that causes a moving object to slow down when it is touching another object 

When you?re in the throes of passion, the last thing you probably want is to have your moving objects slow down. The slippery effect that lube has on intimate body parts in motion can perpetuate longer-lasting enjoyment and ease the pain that some people encounter after prolonged sexual activity (or any sexual activity, particularly if vaginal dryness is an issue). 

In addition to the purely mechanical benefits of lubrication, once you?ve got that trusty bottle on your nightstand, you?ll be tempted to explore some advanced techniques, like those described by our Resident Sexologist, Jess, in her post 10 Ways to Enjoy the Magic of Lube. 

Doesn?t the body produce enough lubrication on its own? 

Although the human body often does provide adequate natural lubrication for sex (such as the additional fluid a woman?s vagina produces when she?s sexually aroused), there are times when this doesn?t happen or isn?t enough. Many factors can contribute to vaginal dryness, including side effects of medication, dehydration and menopause to name a few. Let?s face it, sometimes you just want a quickie and the body?s natural process might not respond fast enough to provide the desired amount of moisture.

Because many people associate a woman?s tendency to produce vaginal lubrication with being aroused, it can cause a form of performance anxiety that temporarily shuts down the flow. Think of it in terms of a guy who experiences  to ?stage fright.?  For women, ?getting wet? may cause the same sort of pressure guys feel to ?get hard? on demand when the moment calls for it. 

With the assistance of personal lubricants, such as those manufactured by Astroglide, couples can be ready to enjoy easy, smooth insertion when the mood strikes, not only when the forces of nature align. And don?t even get us started on using spit as a lube. We?ve got three words for why we don?t encourage saliva as a primary source of personal lubrication: bacteria and viral pathogens.  DO NOT USE SPIT AS LUBE.

Do I have to go to a sex shop to buy lube?

While we fully support and enjoy the many wonderful items you can find in your local adult novelty store (who?s got time to go to the town livery stable for a new riding crop?), there are many convenient places to purchase personal lubricants these days. 

Chances are, you won?t have to go further than your local grocery store or chemist to pick up a bottle of Astroglide. In fact, we?ve made it as easy as possible to find places to purchase lube by providing you with a handy store locator link -- including several online options, if you?d prefer to have it delivered to your door! 

Won?t personal lubricants impact my skin? 

As we mentioned in our previous blog post, 4 Myths About Silicone Lube Debunked, a lot of personal lubricants are actually hypoallergenic, meaning they?re unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. In fact, many users claim that lubricants prevent them from experiencing the types of skin irritations that non-lubricated sexual contact can cause. Combine this with the moisturising effect that lube has on skin, and you may find yourself using it more often that you anticipated!

With that said, when trying out a new lube it?s always a good idea to test a small patch of skin before generously applying to your most sensitive areas. As will all substances you put on your skin, it?s best to err on the side of caution and see how your body reacts first. For people with extra sensitive skin, we recommend trying our Sensitive Skin Gel, Naturally Derived Liquid or our traditional Astroglide Liquid formula first. 

Also, keep in mind that if you experience skin irritation during sexual activity, it could be due to a variety of reasons (for more details, check out our blog post: 3 Sex Tips for People with Sensitive Skin).

Is there any benefit to using a personal lubricant for masturbation? 

That same slippery sensation that makes personal lubricants so enjoyable for sex with a partner is just as important when you?re playing with the one you love most -- yourself! The friction-reducing properties of lube can create a very pleasurable experience for men and women alike. 

Whether you prefer playing with toys or your hands, a little lube goes a long way. You?ll be surprised at how a few drops can take this routine you?ve been practicing for years into entirely new, sensational areas of ecstasy.  

Which lube is best for me? 

If you?ve read this far, we applaud your dedication to pleasure and knowledge, and look forward to helping you take the next step to exploring a new level of intimacy. We realise that with nine unique products in our personal lubrication line, choosing the right lube might be a bit confusing -- even armed with the facts provided in this article. That?s why we developed this simple lube selector tool! 

With just three clicks, you pick the qualities that are most important to you in a lube, and our tool narrows down your choices to recommend the best personal lubricant for you! How?s that for better living through technology?  

How?d we do?

Did the research and FAQs that we explored in this article live up to the title - Everything You Need to Know About Personal Lubricant? Hopefully we?ve helped you learn more about the wonderful ways that lube can enhance your intimate experiences. 

If we missed anything or there are still lingering questions that you have about our products or personal lubricants in general, please let us know in the comment section below. We?ll be happy to answer you and, who knows, we may even use your ideas in a future article to help others who have the same questions. After all, we?re all here for the same reason -- to explore pleasure and intimacy and experience the most enjoyable sex imaginable!

9 Causes of Vaginal Dryness (And What To Do About It!)

When you?re used to having a certain degree of natural lubrication for your lady parts, it can be somewhat unsettling to experience a sudden dry spell down below. You may be asking yourself, is it normal to have a dry vagina? The simple answer is that vaginal dryness is more common than you might think.

The causes of this unpleasant condition, however, might surprise you. To set your mind at ease, we?ve outlined 9 possible causes of vaginal dryness, along with a few recommendations on how you can alleviate the problem.

9. Lack of Arousal Can Cause Vaginal Dryness

Let?s begin with the elephant in the room -- lack of arousal. A woman?s body is designed to produce a slippery natural lubrication when she is sexually aroused in order to facilitate the insertion of a man?s penis into her vagina. At least that?s how it?s supposed to work according to the textbooks we read in Sex Ed class. 

In the real world, women may simply be too distracted -- or perhaps need a bit more warming up than their partner does -- when it?s time to have intercourse. In this case, the solution could be as simple as building up the sexual anticipation with more foreplay. Some women have other triggers, like fantasizing or naughty talk, that help them get going.

Here are three things to keep in mind:

A. Just because a woman?s not ?wet?, doesn?t necessarily mean she?s not aroused (as we?ll explore in the other 8 causes of vaginal dryness below).

B. If lack of arousal is the cause of vaginal dryness, an open dialog between partners can do wonders for discovering what will stimulate sexual arousal. The main takeaway? Don?t be shy when it comes to explaining what gets your motor running.

C. If the lack of arousal is to blame for vaginal dryness but both partners still want to get to third base, using a personal lubricant is a secure, fun way to kickstart the action. 

8. Emotional Stress Can Cause Vaginal Dryness

Let?s face it, everyone experiences stress to a certain degree and, in recent years, it?s been linked to an increasing number of physical problems. Many people associate a woman?s tendency to produce vaginal lubrication with her sexual arousal, and when it doesn?t happen it can cause a form of performance anxiety -- akin to the stage fright that makes it hard for some guys to get an erection under pressure (as we mentioned in our previous post, Everything You Need to Know About Personal Lubricants (But Were Too Afraid to Ask)).  

Performance anxiety aside, any number of outside stressors in a woman?s life can spill over into the bedroom and lead to a dry vagina. While the oxytocin released by the brain during orgasm can be a healthy form of stress release itself, it may take some serious relaxation techniques to get in the mood for sexual activity, if that?s even the goal.  

Find what helps you unwind, whether it?s yoga stretches, relaxing music, a massage or perhaps a favourite drink. When your mind is feeling less stressed, your body will often follow. If a lack of vaginal lubrication is causing you further stress, take matters into your own hands and use a personal lube like Astroglide Liquid to moisturise your most intimate areas. After all, you?ve got enough on your mind so why not let us take care of the lubrication until your body?s back on track? 

9. Smoking and Drinking Can Cause Vaginal Dryness

Sorry party girl, if you want to keep your vajayjay moist and healthy, you?ve got to snuff the butts and chill out on the booze. Why, you ask? According to Laura Berman,  in her article at Everyday Health, ?Cigarettes can decrease circulation, which could intensify vaginal dryness. Alcohol can decrease your sensations and lead to a dry vagina, so limit yourself to only one or two glasses of wine, especially if you plan on having sex later.?

10. Strenuous Exercise Can Cause Vaginal Dryness

Please note the importance of the word ?strenuous? here, and keep in mind that regular exercise is actually a key component to maintaining your overall health -- including the health of your vagina. Confused? Don?t be. Just think of how many times you?ve heard the phrase ?everything in moderation? and realize that when it comes to avoiding vaginal dryness, intense rigorous exercise has been known to dry a vagina -- at least immediately following said workout.

Find that healthy balance so that you?re maintaining your overall health and circulation without causing too much stress on your body. 

11. Childbirth/Nursing Can Cause Vaginal Dryness

At first, it may seem surprising to hear that new mothers experience vaginal dryness. After all, the body is creating and discharging so many fluids to aid in the birthing and nursing process during this time, one might think that providing vaginal lubrication would be at the top of mother nature?s to-do list. Not so, say the experts at Parents Magazine.

?While you're nursing, your body produces less of the hormone estrogen, which can cause the tissues in your vagina to be thinner and drier than usual. The good news is that things should get back to normal after you wean your baby. Until then, you can use a water-based vaginal lubricant.?

What if you?re not breastfeeding but still experience vaginal dryness after giving birth? This could be a temporary imbalance that your body will regulate on its own. But if you?re concerned or the symptoms persist, ask your health care professional for their advice.

12. Menstruation Causes Vaginal Dryness

It?s normal for a woman?s hormone levels to dip while she?s on her period. One of the primary hormones responsible for keeping your vagina moist during menstruation is estrogen. When your estrogen levels are depleted, vaginal dryness can be an irritating side effect, especially when it comes to inserting a tampon.  

One quick fix for this is to apply a small amount of personal lubricant on the applicator to make it easier to slide the tampon in. Better yet, you may want to consider avoiding tampons, which can, by their absorbent nature, dry out the inside of the vagina. Try using a pad instead, at least on days with high menstrual flow. You may want to refrain from wearing panty liners when you?re not on your period, as these can also wick natural moisture away from your most sensitive parts. 

13. Menopause Can Cause Vaginal Dryness

And finally, at the number one spot, we address the most common cause of vaginal dryness, menopause. According to a report by this website, ?vaginal dryness is a hallmark sign of vaginal atrophy (atrophic vaginitis) ? thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls due to a decline in estrogen.?

Some recommend taking oral supplements or applying bioidentical estrogen creams to alleviate the symptoms associated with postmenopausal vaginal dryness. While it?s certainly wise to seek the opinion of your OB/GYN for treatment of severe vaginal dryness, many women prefer to use a gentle lube such as Astroglide Gel or Naturally Derived Liquid to moisturise their vagina, especially when the main concern is making sex more comfortable.

Feeling better about your situation? 

So there you have it ladies, nine surprising causes of vaginal dryness along with some helpful tips on how to treat your symptoms. If nothing else, hopefully we?ve cleared up some misconceptions and set your mind at ease by explaining how common this issue really is. But wait, there?s more!

3 Bonus Tips to Avoid and Treat Vaginal Dryness

As we researched this article to share various expert opinions with you, certain advice stood out above the rest. For example, we love the practicality of Deborah Kotz?s top three tips in her definitive U.S. News & World Report article on the subject, Painful Sex: 6 Ways to Relieve Vaginal Dryness:

Stay hydrated. Drinking six to eight glasses of water a day will help keep your tissues moist, including those below the belt.

Lubricate, and lubricate some more. Many women achieve instant relief simply by using a lubricant. You may need to experiment to find one that works best for you.

No two women are exactly the same, so the advice in this article is meant as a broad overview of common causes for the symptoms described above. The most important thing is to never suffer in silence. Don?t be afraid to talk to your Health Care Professional about this condition. For that matter, don?t be ashamed to speak with your partner or close friends if you?re experiencing discomfort. 

We?re all about removing the taboo around health issues, so If you?ve found any remedies that have helped you, please feel free to share in the comment section below. Your personal experience may help alleviate the pain of someone else who feels too embarrassed to ask about one of the most common issues women face, vaginal dryness (feel free to remain anonymous!).  

3 Pickup Artist Tips That Actually Work

Pickup artistry bills itself as a sort of dating life hack. Attracting women, according to the pickup artist, is a game, and one you can win if you know the rules. For the type of shy, nerdy heterosexual men pickup artists (or PUA's) are reaching out to, this is an appealing pitch ? like a Konami cheat code for becoming the playboy you always looked up to.

Too often, though, pickup artistry borrows misogynistic stereotypes of the woman as both harlot and hard to get, a natural opponent who has to be tricked into following you into the bedroom. It makes you wonder: can anything worthwhile be salvaged from pickup artistry?

As it happens, if you strip away the sexism, you can actually manage to dig up some helpful advice. Luckily, we?ve done the work for you:

1. Dress like the playboy you want to be.

News flash: most women care about how you present yourself. If you?re rolling into your favourite watering hole wearing an old, baggy t-shirt, your hair a mess and your body odor questionable, chances are you won?t be getting sultry glances from across the room.

Pickup artists stress that you should dress and comport yourself like the playboys you see in film. Want an edge on the dating game? Treat yourself to a fancy shave and haircut, and bring your nicest threads to a tailor for a custom fit. No matter what your body shape, a tailored outfit will make you look a hundred times better. While you?re at it, go easy on the cologne. She shouldn?t be able to smell it until she?s close enough to show she?s interested in you.

2. Show some confidence.

Admittedly, this is easier said than done. Anxiety can be brutal, and low confidence can take years of concerted effort to overcome completely. But the good news is that small things can drastically improve your confidence around women ? for example, putting on that perfectly tailored outfit we were just talking about. It can also help to keep a condom and some Astroglide water-based lube in your pocket, just for good luck. You might not have the playboy?s effortless charm, but if it took Bond levels of suave to get play, the population would have died out ages ago. Take a deep breath, and be yourself.

3. Open with a more interesting line than, Some weather we're having, huh??

One of the most maligned PUA tricks is called ?negging.? Beautifully illustrated in this XKCD comic, negging plays on the idea that manipulating a woman?s self esteem is the first step toward manipulating her to sleep with you. Basically, you walk up to a beautiful woman and open up the conversation by insulting her. Yes, really. If this works the way the books claim, she?ll be intrigued by your high standards, and want to prove herself to you. More often, though, you?ll probably end up with a well-deserved drink in your face (if you roll like a slimeball, be prepared to get treated like one). 

While negging is a deplorable dating practice, it is true that a woman will be more interested in a unique opening line than by nervous attempt at small talk. When the pressure?s off, try writing a few down. Ask your lady friends what works for them. At the end of the night, ?Who in this room is most likely to be a double agent will be much more memorable

While this advice may not bring out the playboy hidden inside, it can definitely open some doors you might not have expected.

Trying to Conceive? Follow These 5 Tips

So you?ve made the decision to grow your family. This should be easy, right? We?ve all had the birds and the bees talk and have at least a working knowledge of where babies come from. The best part is that it couldn?t be more fun ? just take your clothes off, do what comes naturally, and a few weeks later you?ll see those tell-tale red or blue lines on the pregnancy test, right?

Unfortunately, despite what multiple nights binge-watching I Didn?t Know I Was Pregnant might imply, trying to conceive is not so easy for many couples. Only 30% of couples successfully achieve pregnancy after trying for one cycle (about one month), while for nearly two thirds of couples, it takes at least three cycles. Not only that, but one out of every ten women has impaired fertility, though male fertility issues like low sperm count or low motility account for 35-40% of problems when couples are trying to conceive.

If those statistics stress you out, take comfort: there are many things you and your partner can do to improve your chances of making a baby. From simple lifestyle adjustments to other interventions, there are a few ways you can make life easier when trying to conceive. 

1. Upgrade your knowledge of the female fertility cycle.

Let?s face it ? the sex education most of us got in high school wasn?t comprehensive. Did you know, for example, that the time your cycle starts to the time you ovulate might change, but the time between ovulation and the start of your period is pretty much set in stone? And that you have about a six-day window each month during which you can conceive? That means as soon as you ovulate, it?s time to get babymaking. But what if you don?t know when you (or your wife or female partner) is ovulating?

The nitty-gritty details of the female fertility cycle aren?t necessarily common sense, but they are essential learning when you?re trying to conceive. Charting your menstrual cycle won?t always cut it, though it?s a good start. Thankfully, fertility awareness gets way more sophisticated (and way more cool!) than simply putting stars on the calendar for every day you menstruate. If you really want to get serious with fertility awareness, Planned Parenthood lists the following methods:

The Calendar Method:

This method takes a while because you have to track several cycles (8-12 are recommended). You simply plot the beginning of your cycle and when you menstruate on the calendar until you get a good idea of how long your cycles are. Remember, not every woman has a 28-day cycle ? yours may be a few days longer or shorter. By doing a little bit of maths comparing your shortest and your longest cycles, you can get a rough idea of when you?re most fertile. This method won?t work, though, if you have very short or irregular cycles.

The Cervical Mucus Method:

For couples trying to conceive, this is more accurate than the calendar method, though it?s a bit messier. It still involves a calendar, but instead of tracking when you menstruate, you create a daily log of what your cervical mucus feels like. When you ovulate, your cervical mucus becomes stretchy, a bit like raw egg whites.

The Temperature Method:

Ovulation raises your body temperature, so another way to determine when you?re entering your fertile window is by using a basal thermometer. Like the other fertility awareness methods, this takes a bit of dedication: to take your basal temp, you need to take your temperature as soon as you wake up in the morning, before you get out of bed, every day. 

The Symptothermal Method:

Why use one method when you can use all three? The symptothermal method of fertility awareness involves a combination of the calendar, cervical mucus and temperature methods. If you?re trying to conceive and find that one method isn?t helping you get pregnant, it might help to combine methods to get a more precise idea of when you?re fertile.

While many couples use fertility awareness to help avoid getting pregnant when they?re not trying to conceive, knowing when you?re most fertile is one of the most important steps you can take toward making that baby.

2. Use the right personal lubricant.

Did you know that if you?re trying to conceive, your lube could be holding you back? Traditional Astroglide lubricants are pH stable, to match normal vaginal pH levels during non ovulation times. As we all know, sperm has to swim to get to the egg, and the journey is pretty long: that microscopic little cell has to travel around 15 cm / six inches through the vagina and uterus to reach the egg in the fallopian tube, a process that takes at least half an hour. And that?s when conditions are right.

Remember that eggy cervical mucus? It actually provides a perfect environment for the sperm to travel through. Traditional Astroglide Personal lubricant can alter that environment by affecting the vagina?s PH levels, as well as osmolality (the concentration of sodium, potassium and other substances), both of which can hinder the movement of sperm.

Take heart, though ? just because you?re trying to conceive doesn?t mean you can?t use lube. You just have to make sure you?re using a personal lubricant made just for couples who are trying to conceive, so that you can keep sex wet while not slowing down your swimmers. After all, the process of making a baby is supposed to be fun, and using a lubricant like Astroglide TTC can help make your babymaking sessions more comfortable and long-lasting.

Studies show that Astroglide TTC with elevated pH levels is compatible with sperm, oocytes (egg cells) and embryos. With adjusted / elevated  PH levels and osmolality and a consistency close to that of your own cervical mucus, Astroglide TTC allows sperm to move freely. In addition, it contains galactose, a sugar found naturally in semen, and fructose, the main energy source for sperm. 

3. Take the right vitamins and supplements.

Fertility can vary a lot based on your nutrition. If you?re a woman trying to conceive, you never know which cycle is going to be the one that ends up in a pregnancy, so it?s a good idea to start taking prenatal vitamins as soon as you start trying. If you?re a man and you?re trying to conceive, you need to worry about vitamins too! Without adequate vitamin C and E, your sperm will clump together, making you less fertile.

Oh, and women: if you want more fertility, get more D ? vitamin D, that is. Without enough vitamin D, your reproductive tissues don?t function optimally, and if you?re reading this post, there?s a good chance you might be one of the billion people worldwide who have vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D can be found in eggs, dairy and oily fish, but you can also find it in multivitamins and as a separate supplement.

4. Make healthy adjustments to your lifestyle.

When you?re trying to conceive, many lifestyle factors can help or hinder your babymaking progress. If you?re a man, alcohol, smoking, excess weight and stress can all hinder your ability to produce healthy sperm. Besides, if you?re having kids, don?t you want to kick that smoking habit before they show up in your house? 

For women, a healthy lifestyle is important not only to conceive a child, but to keep it healthy through gestation. As with men, being underweight or overweight can affect your reproductive hormone balance, and stress also lowers the odds of conception. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and getting a moderate amount of exercise can help improve your odds of successfully conceiving (but be careful, as too much physical activity can inhibit ovulation).

5. Don?t hesitate to see your Health Care Professional.

If you?ve been trying to conceive for several months and your tests keep coming back negative, get thee to your Health Care Professional.  Your Health Care Professional can test for vitamin D deficiency as well as a number of other things affecting your fertility, whether you?re a man with a low sperm count or a woman with impaired fertility.

When?s the best time to see your Health Care Professional? As early as possible. When you decide to begin trying to conceive, it?s a good idea to let your Health Care Professional know your intentions and get his or her advice on how to proceed based on your medical history. For example, if you?re a woman with a history of irregular menstrual cycles, your Health Care Professional might refer you to an Specialist. You might want to consider fertility treatments. Remember that fertility issues are not a moral failing and can happen to anyone. The sooner you get help from your Health Care Professional, the better your chances at having a baby on your schedule.

It?s Time to Get Started

The time you and your partner spend trying to conceive should be exciting and fun, not nerve wracking and clinical. Even if you?re having sex for reproductive purposes, there?s no reason it shouldn?t be mindblowing! So read some erotic novels, get out your favourite fuzzy handcuffs, put on your best lingerie and grab some Astroglide TTC personal lubricant. With the right lube, as well as knowledge about your fertility, vitamins and nutrients and the help of your Health Care Professional, you can help make the dream of parenthood come true for you and your partner.

Everything You Need to Know About Outdoor Sex

The summer season is in full swing and just about everyone is heading outdoors. From sangria on a rooftop patio to late-night bonfires on the beach, our favourite experiences are further enhanced by the great outdoors. Sex, of course, is no exception. But before you take your lovin? al fresco, check out our tips for getting down and dirty in the summer heat.

Try the standing doggie position.

Whether you?re on the beach, in the woods, or way out in the desert, this versatile position helps to keep the sand, dirt and dust farther away from your most sensitive body parts. The partner in front can lean up against a tree or bend over and hold onto their knees for stability.

Pitch a tent.

If the sand, sun or bugs are too distracting, a tent may be the perfect solution. Enjoy all of nature?s sensual beauty ? from the soft breeze to the sounds of the forest ? without the full exposure.

Get wet.

Don?t let the rain get you down. Get outside and enjoy the tingling sensation of cool rain on your hot bodies. If the clouds aren?t cooperating, you can always relish in the challenge of peeling off wet layers of clothing and get creative with car washes and sprinklers.

Dress the part.

You don?t have to strip down completely to enjoy sex au naturel. Go commando or wear drawstring pants to ease access and increase your chances of getting it on outside of the bedroom.

Pack an outdoor sex kit.

You can?t always plan for love on the road, but you can certainly be prepared. Throw a blanket, natural insect repellent and lube in your boot uat the start of the season just in case the mood strikes you while you?re on the road. Comfort is key to any sexual experience, so if an extra blanket or baby wipes will help to put you or your lover at ease, toss them in your kit.

Have sex on a balcony.

It doesn?t get much hotter than sex above the crowds and beneath the glow of moonlight in the city. Balcony sex offers the best of both worlds: the thrill of exhibitionism and the security of knowing that you can always slip inside if the exposure feels too intense. If you don?t have a balcony, consider requesting an upper level room at a hotel or make use of your back porch ? just be sure to turn off any outdoor lighting.

Get all riled up before taking it indoors.

If you simply can?t resist the comfort of your Egyptian cotton sheets, you can still indulge in the thrills of outdoor sex. Go for walk in your neighborhood and slip into a secluded park or lane way for some heavy making out. Touch and kiss your partner beneath their clothing and allow yourselves to get a little randy before retreating to the privacy and comfort of your own home. By the time your get back, you may be so overcome with desire that you forgo your high thread count sheets in favour of the cold floor of your entranceway. 

Check your local laws.

Our fans span the globe from Hobart to Nuuk and we know that laws regarding nudity and sex vary across state lines. No sexual encounter is worth a ride in the backseat of a Police car, so pick locations that minimize exposure and risk.

 10 Things to Bring to a Gay Pride Parade

If you?re hitting the gay pride parade circuit, you know that regardless of what town the party?s stopping in, you?re in for an incredible time. From the amazing sense of community and the show-stopping live performances to the volunteer opportunities, there are endless reasons we love gay pride festivals ? but, like anything else, it?s important to come prepared to get the most out of your experience.

Let?s take a look at the 10 things you absolutely cannot be without when you go to the gay pride parade:

1. Your friends.

Any day is only as good as the people you spend it with, so gather your favourite people and make some memories that will last several long, proud lifetimes. After all, you?re about to see some amazing floats, witness mind-bending dance routines, scout some vendors, gather plenty of swag (including free lube!) and likely close out the day with yummy local food and a refreshing cocktail or two. Pride parades are basically the perfect recipe for an unbeatable time with your friends, so round up your proudest pals!

2. A pride-themed playlist.

Once you have your crew in tow, it?s time to make your way to the gay pride parade. If you?re carpoolin? it, having a playlist ready to get you pumped for pride is non-negotiable. Picture this: you?re rolling through your favourite city (or a city you?ve always wanted to visit) with your best friends, windows down, blasting ?A Little Respect? by Erasure and belting at the top of your lungs. (Or, if synthpop isn?t your thing, you might opt for ?Born This Way? by Lady Gaga or the time honored classic, ?I?m Coming Out? by Diana Ross.)

And the best part? Another car pulls alongside you at a traffic light, full of happy people decked out in rainbow, and the driver gives you the thumbs up. That?s because when the gay pride parade is in town, the city takes on a new (rainbow-coloured) light. You?ll probably see a few ?Honk for Pride? signs, so make sure to give them the signal while jamming out to your favourite pride anthems.

And most importantly: make sure your friends are singing along with you. It doesn?t matter how out of tune you are today. All that matters is that you?re feeling the love.

3. Your most colourful outfit.

Okay, this one is strictly optional, but how many opportunities do you get to deck yourself out head to toe in every colour of the rainbow, complete with plenty of glitter and copious amounts of rhinestones?

Sure, gay pride parades are about something deeper than all the glitz and glam we associate with the floats, costumes and confetti. They?re about the pursuit of equality and freedom for all ? most of all, the freedom to be yourself and love the people you love.

But they?re also about exercising your right to celebrate! The community has been working hard all year and gaining some wins, and now it?s time to let loose and revel in the incredible feeling of community and victory.

So don?t hold back! Paint rainbows on your sneakers, if you?re into DIY projects. If you?re into makeup, now?s the best time to show off the rainbow cut crease eyeshadow look you?ve been spending months perfecting. Dye your hair with as many bright colours as you can get your hands on. Own any rainbow jewelry? Wear it all at once! And make sure you take plenty of pictures.

4. Plenty of water.

Not only are gay pride parades usually held in the summer, but they also tend to involve a lot of moving around, regardless of if that means dancing, keeping up with your favourite float or just going a little crazy (side effects of gay pride parades may include throwing your arms in the air, jumping up and down with excitement and a sudden increase in energy).

In every case, it?s important to keep yourself hydrated. While there will probably be plenty of vendors along the parade route selling bottled water, you can save yourself some cash (and time) by bringing your own ? plus, you won?t have to worry about getting stuck in a long line while all your friends are having the time of their lives without you.

It can be easy to forget to drink water, especially if you don?t necessarily feel thirsty, so remember the signs of dehydration: drowsiness, dizziness and headaches are all early clues that your body needs water urgently. If a friend reports these symptoms, make sure to get them a bottle of water, stat!

5. Broad-spectrum sunblock, SPF 30+ or higher.

We have love for all colours of the rainbow, but nobody wants to end up beet red by the end of the day. While you?ll usually be able to find some shade along the parade route, the last thing you want to do is get caught out in the open with no protection from the sun.

You should apply your sunscreen at least 15 minutes before heading outside, and reapply every two hours after that. If you get wet ? or if you?re so hot that you?re drenched in sweat ? you should immediately towel off, and then reapply your sunblock. (Yes, even if you?re not pale. Yes, even if it?s a little overcast.)

Other indispensable sun essentials? A nice floppy hat will not only protect your face, but can also be decorated in rainbow ribbons, LGBTQ pride-related buttons, flowers, glitter and other colourful accoutrements. A pair of rainbow sunglasses (with broad spectrum UV protection) will keep your eyes safe from the sun?s harmful rays.  

6. Your appetite.

What city is hosting your gay pride parade? If you?re travelling to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Darwin, Adelaide, Hobart or San Diego for pride, you don?t want to miss out on mouth-watering fish tacos or California-style pizza. If you?re in New York, you?ll be surrounded by countless cuisines from all over the world (not to mention the best Italian in the country). After several straight (or not-so-straight) hours of showing your pride, you can work up a mighty appetite, so don?t forget to enjoy a taste of the town!

Oh, and on a related note: don?t forget to keep some cash on you. Not only will there be tasty nosh, but pride parades are a great way to learn more about a city?s LGBTQ-friendly local vendors (which may not accept credit cards). If you love supporting businesses that support the community, today?s a good day to get your spend on. 

7. A comfortable pair of shoes.

Yes, those rainbow-coloured five-inch heels are gorgeous. Yes, they make your legs look fabulous. They?d be perfect for a night out (provided you have back-up flats), but you?re going to be on your feet for most of the day. Nobody wants to miss a legendary music performance because they had to go home early due to sore feet. Bring your comfiest shoes and get ready for a day with plenty of activity!  

8. A decent-sized tote bag, messenger bag or backpack.

Not only will a good bag help you carry all of your stuff to the parade, it?ll help you carry all of your free swag home with you! One of the best (or worst) kept secrets of gay pride parades is that there?s a ton of free stuff being thrown around. Even if you?re just sitting by the side of the road, you?ll be lucky if you go more than a few minutes without someone handing you something for free.

Speaking of freebies, if you happen to see the Astroglide float at a gay pride parade near you, feel free to wave us over ? we?ll be giving out plenty of free lube!

9. Your pride flag, of course!

Okay, we?ve been going on and on about rainbows, but as we all know, there?s more to LGBTQ pride than the standard Roy G. Biv, and ?G? isn?t the only letter in the alphabet. No matter what your sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, pride parades are for you. So bring your most authentic self, and don?t forget your flag!

Today?s the day to break out your pink, blue and white striped trans pride flag, or your magenta, purple and blue bisexual banner. Maybe you?re blazing black, gray, purple and white for asexual pride, or yellow, blue and magenta for proud pansexuality. No matter your colours, go forth and be represented. 

10. Your sense of pride.

More important than anything else on this list (or, at the very least, tied with water and sun protection) is your pride. Your pride in yourself and how far you?ve come in your life journey, whether you?re gay, straight, trans, genderqueer or questioning. Your pride in the shared community for achieving such great things ? and this year, there have been plenty of victories. Your pride in your friends, who are standing alongside you cheering on everything LGBTQ. Your pride in your partner, your family. There are just so many good things to celebrate today.

It?s your day. So live it up.

8 Tips for Planning a Couples Retreat at Home

Finding time to truly be alone together isn?t easy for any couple, which is why many partners are willing to pay thousands of dollars to attend a couples retreat, even if it?s only for a weekend. Unfortunately, not all of us have that kind of money to spend, and even if you do, not everyone is up for the other activities that may be involved, from group therapy with complete strangers to sleeping in cobweb-cluttered cabins in the middle of nowhere.

Here?s the good news ? you can create a couples retreat right in your very own home. It?s cheap, it?s fun, and when it comes to building a healthy relationship, it?s definitely worth it. Use these tips to do it yourself:

1. Clear Your Calendar. Obviously you can?t have a couple?s retreat if one of you is at work or babysitting your nephews. So get together and block out a weekend when you both can commit FULLY to each other.
2. Tackle Your To-Do List. A couples retreat is all about focusing on each other ? not the laundry or the bills or that weird stain on your bathroom ceiling that seems to keep growing. Take care of these things beforehand so they don?t distract you later.
3. Unplug So You Can Unwind. Let your friends, family and even your coworkers know you won?t be answering texts, calls or emails. Then put your devices somewhere where you can?t even see them. This time is for you two, and no one else.
4. Pitch a Tent or Build a Fort. Shaking up your routine can help you get out of a relationship rut, and changing how you sleep is one easy way to do it! Try pitching a tent in the backyard or building a fort in the middle of your living room ? it?s the perfect place to enjoy your Netflix marathon!
5. Spring for Good Eats. You?ll hear it more in nutritional articles than you will in lists of relationship tips, but you really are what you eat. If you want your partnership to be passionate and romantic, eat a meal together that makes you feel that way! Red wine and lasagna, chocolate-dipped strawberries, or whatever food gets you in the mood ? spring for the good stuff and have all of your ingredients on-hand so you don?t have to interrupt your couples retreat for a grocery run.
6. Ban Stressful Topics. Where are the in-laws staying when they come to town next month? How will you pay down that high-interest credit card? What?s wrong with politicians these days? These topics and ones like them WILL NOT be discussed during your couples retreat. Create a list of the things that stress you out, write them down, and agree NOT to talk about them during your retreat.
7. Be Bold in the Bedroom. Have you been thinking of trying out some new sex positions? Using flavoured lube? Seeing what it?d be like to tie up your partner or have them blindfold you? Your couples retreat is the perfect time to experiment. So buy some new toys, request a free sample of a new formula of Astroglide, and think outside of that bedroom box!
8. Don?t Forget to Play. Above all, your couples retreat should be fun. So do what makes you smile, whether it?s playing Halo or watching cheesy horror movies. You can even spice things up at the same time by adding a sexy twist to your favourite activities ? try writing sexy dares on the sides of Jenga blocks or playing an old-fashioned game of strip poker!

The best thing about having a couples retreat at home? You can do it over and over again ? so don?t feel pressured to make everything perfect on your first try. You?ll learn what works and what doesn?t as you go, and you can use what you learn to make each couples retreat you plan even more awesome!

12 Unique Ways to Spice Up Your Relationship

Sexual chemistry is both a science and an art. As an art form, it requires communication, an open-mind and time to flourish. As a science, however, the chemical changes we experience during lust and love are fairly consistent and can be broken down into two stages: lust/limerence and companionship/attachment.

During the lust or limerence phase of a relationship, your body experiences a flurry of chemical changes as dopamine, adrenaline and serotonin levels spike. Your brain resembles that of a drug user as you experience a natural high from falling in love. Your energy levels increase and your need for sleep may subside as your focus revolves around your new love interest. You?re simultaneously nervous, excited and blissful. Love, in its initial stages, can be blind as you subconsciously fill in the blanks with positive data to supplement the exciting unknown. You don?t notice your paramour?s bad habits and your optimism shines through.

After several months of blind love, couples generally transition into the companionate or attachment phase which is marked by commitment, comfort and security. This phase is associated with the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin, which are believed to promote bonding and increase during sexual activity and physical affection.

Reigniting the spark in a relationship often involves engaging in activities that remind the brain and body of the lustful phase of love. These activities might create mystery, excitement and even anxiety, but ultimately they result in chemical processes involving dopamine, adrenalin and serotonin. Even the happiest couples find that excitement and sexual desire wane with time, so experiment with the tips below to spice up your relationship (and be sure to also check out our quick tips for maintaining connection and promoting attachment).

1.  Create secrets together. You and your friends may share inside jokes that foster a unique connection, but creating secrets that are just between you and your lover is one way to heighten sexual chemistry.
   
   Slip away at a dinner party for a heavy make out session or try something risky (to boost adrenaline) like sneaking into a park after hours. When you break the rules together (within reason), the shared adrenaline boost helps to rekindle the feelings associated with limerence. I?ve met couples who tap into their naughty sides by sharing dirty little secrets like snooping through friends? medicine cabinets at parties. Though I don?t recommend this particular habit, I have seen evidence that misbehaving together can keep a relationship exciting.
2.  Make a public declaration of your love. Sometimes, bringing a relationship out into the open can spice things up. Try sending flowers to your partner?s office, or simply embrace them in public.
3.  Do something naked together. Whether you slip away to the lake to skinny dip or simply shed your clothes in the kitchen while preserving fruits on the weekend, the nerves and exhilaration associated with being nude in a vulnerable situation can create a renewed thrill.
4.  Daydream and make plans for winning the lottery. When you first meet, you spend time dreaming of the future and creating (often) unrealistic plans. Tapping into shared fantasies offers a temporary sense of escapism and can boost dopamine levels.
5.  Admire others together. Expressing attraction and admiration for other men and women is normal and healthy. Many couples find that opening up about their natural feelings not only enlivens their attraction to one another, but it also deepens their connection.
6.  Sleep on the other side of the bed. This is just one example of how you can break your routine to reduce predictability and reawaken your partner?s interest. Other examples might include buying new underwear, restyling your hair, playing pranks, changing the way you greet your partner (e.g. picking them up with a bear hug or jumping into their lap) or giving them a new pet name.
7.  Surprise one another with schedule changes. Part of the excitement that you experienced in the beginning was related to the unpredictability of your love interest, but as you build a life together, a certain degree of predictability is both inherent and functional.
   
   You can, however, overdo it. If you always know when something is going to happen, the thrill inevitably subsides, so change things up to surprise your partner. Show up for lunch unannounced, come home early, schedule a late-start, cancel plans to create openings for alone time or skip the gym unexpectedly so that you can have a spontaneous date.
8.  Change one thing in your bedroom every month. Sex in a hotel while on holiday is often hotter and more frequent than sex in your home, so recreate that getaway atmosphere in your bedroom to jumpstart your sex life. Add new pillows, change the color of your lightbulbs, rearrange the furniture, update your sheets, leave your toys out or add hotel touches (e.g. chocolates on the pillow or an ice bucket with champagne) to break the visual monotony of your home base.
9.  Say thank you every morning. Practicing gratitude is associated with improved health, happiness and longevity, but in relationships it also improves intimacy and causes surges in attraction. Try waking up with a ?thank you? every morning for the next week. It will change your mood as well as your partner?s. You might thank your partner for their love, their positive outlook, their energy, their parenting, their beauty or their ongoing support, but try to change it up each day.
10.  Sweat together. Try a partnered yoga routine or try a free at-home workout from FitnessBlender.com, a site run by a husband and wife personal training team. Couples who exercise together are more likely to reach their fitness goals and working out boosts hormones that elevate mood, libido and sexual functioning.
11.  Retell the story of your first date. How?d you meet for the first time? Where did you go? How did you feel? Recall the feelings of excitement and anticipation you experienced when you first met ? chances are, if you can bring yourself back to that same place, your bedroom might get a little more active.
12.  Go to haunted house, shooting range or amusement park. When your adrenaline gets pumping ? especially with your partner ? you?re going to probably want to spend that energy. Just try to make it home first!

Nurturing your sense of adventure will help you reignite those powerful feelings and give you tons of new memories to share. Ready to try something new but still aren?t quite sure where to start? Why not ease into things by trying out a new formula of Astroglide? Surprise your partner with your free sample and see where the excitement takes you!

How to Give The World?s Sexiest Massage

After a long, hard day at work, would you rather come home to a soothing massage or a wild night in the bedroom? If you have to choose one, the decision might be tougher than you think. Whether you?re on your feet all day or hunched in a chair, chances are a nice, relaxing rubdown is just as enticing as a mind-blowing orgasm once the workday?s over.

So why not have both?

Nothing can put you in the mood quite like a sexy massage ? but few things can ruin the mood quite as quickly as a massage gone horribly wrong. Too much pressure? Your partner might end up in more pain than they were in when you started. Using the wrong lubricant? A full body massage feels great until it turns into a full body rash.

With that said, all it takes is a little basic massage know-how, and a lot of sexy details, to turn sensual massage into your new go-to foreplay technique.

The Benefits of a Sexy Massage

We get it ? of the various types of foreplay, sensual massage takes a little more work. After all, who hasn?t lovingly obliged their partner?s request for a massage, only to complain of sore arms just a few minutes later? Luckily, if you do it right, the only limit to the length of your massage is how desperately you?ll want to jump on your partner and get to the sexy part.

Let?s take a look at some of the benefits of a sensual massage:

?      Massage can provide great pain relief. 

Let?s get the obvious one out of the way. If your back is aching or your legs are sore, you?re probably not as excited about having sex as you would normally be. Instead of springing for the Ibuprofen and spending another sexless night watching Netflix, it might be the perfect opportunity to receive (and give!) a sensual massage! Massage eases the muscle tension that can cause soreness, as well as reduce inflammation and improve blood flow, all of which lead to a reduction in pain.

?      Relaxation and sex go hand in hand. 

If fear of performance issues makes it harder for you to get turned on, a nice, relaxing sexy massage can help take the edge off your stress ? and that might be just what you need to get going. Just melt into your mattress as your partner rubs away your tension. You may even find that you get aroused even before you get to the sexy part, and there?s a very good reason for that...

?      Massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system.

The parasympathetic nervous system is commonly known as the ?rest and digest? system (as opposed to the sympathetic, or ?fight or flight? nervous system). That?s because your parasympathetic nervous system is activated during sleep and digestion, two body functions your body prioritises during times of low stress. Think of it this way: when our ancestors went hunting, they needed that fight or flight reaction to detect danger and run from predators. When they stopped hunting, they could prioritise things like sleep, eating their food and sex.

That?s right ? because massage stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system, you may become sexually aroused during massage, even if it?s not a sexy massage. But if it is a sexy massage, those are the perfect conditions for taking your evening a little further.

?      Massage is one of the sexiest forms of exercise. 

Sex can be a great workout in and of itself, but did you know that a 68 kilogram person burns 282 calories an hour giving a massage? That?s about as much as if you spent that hour walking. 

?      Sensual massage is a huge turn-on for the giver. 

When was the last time you really relished your partner?s body? Try undressing your partner and slowly running your hands over every muscle and tantalising curve for more than five minutes without feeling incredibly turned on. Seriously. We dare you.

 9 Essential Steps For Giving a Mind-Blowing Sensual Massage

If the thought of spending a night trading sexy massages is already getting you hot and bothered, it?s time to learn how to do it right! While you don?t need to be an expert to give a mouth-watering sensual massage (even on the first try!), it helps to have a few extra tools in your toolbox. Let?s take a look at everything you should do to make it an unforgettable night:

1.     Decide what kinds of sensations you want to add to your sexy massage.

Remember that you aren?t just limited to your hands when you give a massage! While you can do a lot of magic just with what you were born with, a sensual massage gives you plenty of opportunities to get creative with touch. Just ask Andrea Renae (@theandrearenae), a Los Angeles based sex educator and consultant:

?Before you get all oiled up, use feather ticklers, silk ties, mini whips, ice cubes, vibrators or other toys over your partner's skin to tempt and tease. Get creative and DIY (do it yourself)! Anything in your home with an interesting texture can become a sensation toy.?

Her favourite sexy massage addition? ?Use a blindfold! By taking one sense (sight) away, you will enhance the others. The other benefit of a blindfold is that your partner can't see what you're up to, so you can keep them on edge and surprise them the entire time.?

2.     Choose a lubricant.

There are two basic forces you want when giving a massage: drag, which is the slight pulling sensation you feel on the skin due to friction, and glide, which allows you to move up and down the tissue easily and fluidly. A good massage involves a combination of drag and glide. Too much drag, and you can irritate your partner?s skin, making the experience uncomfortable or even painful. Too much glide, and your strokes will be entirely surface level, and your partner won?t feel that relaxation deeper in the muscles.

This is why using the right lubricant, and in the right amounts, is so important. Luckily, this is another place where you can get creative. Maybe you have a favourite lotion, or a fragrance you know will get your partner going. (As for fragrance, lavender is thought to be calming, while ylang ylang is thought to be sexually arousing. Jasmine is another sensual favourite. Get creative!)

This is another great opportunity to play with sensations. You can make things hot with a warming lubricant, or add some sweet strawberry kisses all over. Or, if you want to make things extra hot, you can even try massage candles.

?Massage candles create an all around sensual experience,? says Renae. ?Just light them up, watch the message oil pool around the top, and then pour gently over your partner's skin. These candles set the mood with sexy lighting, leave the room smelling good, and provide you with an oil that's already warm to the touch.?

Of course, there?s nothing saying you have to limit yourself to one lubricant for your sexy massage, so you can try a combination of different sensations to keep the evening interesting.

There is only one cardinal rule when it comes to choosing a lubricant for a full body massage: you need to make sure it plays nicely with your partner?s skin. Your favorite lotion may have a scent that makes you groan with delight, but it could also make your partner squeal in pain. Remember to patch test any lubricant before you use it all over your partner?s (or your) body.

3.     Set the mood.

Make the bed with your silkiest sheets. Dim the lights. Light a candle, or maybe twenty candles. Choose a relaxing playlist of classic slow jams ? nothing too loud or fast, so that you strike the right balance between sensual and relaxing. (May we recommend the sublime ?Rocket? by Queen Bey?) Slip into the sexiest outfit you can comfortably move around in. Remember: this should be relaxing for both of you!

Here?s an important tip: remember that your boo will be naked throughout the course of the massage, so make sure the room is a comfortable temperature. The warmer the room, the more relaxed their muscles will be, but you don?t want them to be drenched in sweat, either. Well, at least not just yet!

Once you?ve created your own little oasis inside your home, invite your partner in using a soft, soothing voice. Let them know exactly what you plan to do to them, one step at a time.

4.     Undress your partner.

This is a full body massage, so your partner will need to start out in the buff. Take this opportunity to tease them. Remember, they?re going to have to lie there until the massage is over before the sex happens, so make it as torturous as possible.

5.     Lock eyes before you lay your hands on your partner.

?Taking a couple of minutes before a massage with your partner and try to communicate your deepest feelings without words,? says  Madeleine Castellanos (@drcastellanos), NYC-based sex therapist and author of Wanting to Want: What Kills Your Sex Life and How to Keep It Alive. ?It actually helps to align your heart and mind with your partner?s in the subtlest way. In other words, dare to stare.?

6.     Start your partner face down, and massage the back, buttocks and legs.

With your partner in a prone position on the bed, stand on one side with your front knee bent, weight on your back leg. This stance will allow you to use your body weight for a longer, less physically exhausting sensual massage.

Place a pillow under your partner?s ankles to help align the spine in a neutral position and keep them comfortable throughout the sexy massage. To massage the back, lubricate your hands well and begin with long, light strokes up the muscles on either side of the spine. Remember that you want to warm up the tissue before you apply too much pressure, or else you can cause pain. Focus on relaxing your partner at first, not trying to fix their back ache.

Pay attention to every part of the back, from the upper back and neck to the lower back. Try experimenting with pressure, from light strokes that barely brush the skin to deep strokes that ease muscle tension. Then, move on to the buttocks, thighs, and calves, taking your time with each part.

7.     Flip your partner over and massage the shoulders, arms, chest, legs and feet.

This is where things get really interesting, because you and your partner can make eye contact. This is the perfect time to ramp up the teasing, but don?t get too X-rated just yet ? you want to save the best for last. 

Place a pillow under your partner?s knees for a more comfortable supine position, and begin by kneading the muscles in the shoulders, then moving to the arms. Gently brush your nails against the inside of the elbows and the wrists. Work your way down the torso and to the legs, making sure to tease your partner?s inner thighs and most intimate areas only briefly.

Make sure to spend plenty of time on the feet. Not only do feet take a lot of abuse throughout the day, but they?re incredibly sensitive. If you?re into tickle play, they?re perfect fodder. If you have a foot fetish, even better!

8.     Add some dirty talk.

As you go over your partner?s full body with your hands (and/or other toys), narrate what you?re doing to each body part and how much you love it. Whisper in your partner?s ear. Make them feel like the sexiest person on the planet. Tell your partner in explicit detail what you plan on doing to them after the massage is over. They?ll be squirming by the time you get to the feet ? if you can even make it that far.

9.     Finish off the sexy massage.

If you and your partner want, you may opt to bring them to orgasm with your hands for a relaxing, climactic treat, while you take care of the work. Or, you might use the end of your sensual massage to transition to oral sex or intercourse. Whatever you fancy, chances are good that by now, you and your partner will be hot and ready to go.

One of the best parts of giving a sensual massage is that by the end, you?ll know your partner?s body, and what makes them feel good, better than ever before.

Foods to Fight Pre Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) Blues by Cyma Hote at OlWomen

If it?s one thing we girls can agree we hate, it?s that dreaded time of the month. The few days before the D-day, when normal girls turn into witches on brooms! Sounds funny when you say it like that, but those of us with extreme PMS (Pre-menstrual Syndrome) and those who?ve been victims of our wrath would hardly be amused. It?s something that we go through every month, and sometimes we take it for granted and just roll with it. We don?t think there?s any way we could relieve the symptoms, apart from popping a pain-killer and pulling the blanket over our heads. Luckily for us, others have now done enough research on comfort food that helps ward off PMS and reduce symptoms significantly. Read on to find out how you can also beat those pesky PMS blues.

Comfort food #1: Fish

Who doesn?t love this delicious source of vitamin-D, which becomes essential for our bodies in order to absorb calcium. Also, eating fish can trigger the production of serotonin, a positive mood-enhancer (and incidentally, the same chemical released by the brain when you bite into dark chocolate). Make Salmon, Atlantic mackerel, Sardines and Herring your new best friends when you feel PMS strike. Not a fish fan? No worries. Try some walnuts or flaxseed, as they provide the same nutrition as fish. Sprinkle some over your morning cereal or just pop a handful into your mouth. Yum!

Comfort food #2: Yoghurt and Bananas

When going through PMS, some women seem to have lower blood levels of calcium, while others have low levels of magnesium. A decrease in both can cause mood swings, stress and cravings of the wrong kind. Quick and easy fix? Yoghurt plus banana equals a super healthy and super yummy snack that?ll throw your junk food cravings right out the door. When our body?s normal level of blood sugar drops, we start craving unhealthy snacks that give us a moment?s bliss, but a week full of cramps and bloating. Indulge in some bite-sized chunks of bananas dunked in yoghurt and eat away those nasty cramps or blend these two into the perfect smoothie. Drool!

Comfort food #3: Water

Now this one may come as a surprise, since with all that irritating water retention and bloating, the last thing you feel like doing is drinking more of it. You couldn?t be more wrong. PMS related headaches and migraines are often best cured by good old water. If you can?t stomach too much of it, opt for water-based fresh foods like celery, sliced cucumbers, red bell peppers and carrot sticks. Make yourself a delicious bowl of salad and feel that thudding headache fade away. Don?t feel like making yourself a salad? A quick fix is a tall glass of orange juice, bursting of deliciousness and health! You won?t even remember you had a headache to begin with.

Comfort food #4: Beans

Beans are another great source of magnesium and help reduce water retention and regulate the activity of serotonin, the ?feel?good? neurotransmitter that causes moods. They can be added to salads, dips and soups or if you are a chili fan, sauté them with garlic and green chilies and you have a quick and easy remedy that also tastes fantastic. Add another great source of pms killer; chickpeas. You?ve now got a mouthwatering and irresistible combo that tastes yum every time.

Comfort food #5: Brown Rice

This one comes with an added bonus; it comprises of 3 essential nutrients that combine to help lessen depression, irritability and moodiness. Brown rice contains not just magnesium, but also vitamin B6 and manganese, all of which are a great boost to our vulnerable physical state. Foods similar to brown rice are complex carbs like whole grain pasta, nuts and oatmeal. These complex carbs contribute to an over-all healthier feel, as compared to simple carbs like white rice, white sugar or baked goods that only give us a moments high that is followed by a crash in mood and energy levels.

It?s hard not to ignore our body?s natural cravings when in PMS mode, and a lot of us are guilty of reaching for that tempting box of chocolates or cupcakes, dipping our hands into bowls of salty crackers, or worse, a bag of spicy crisps. We all know what follows, so I won?t go into the gory details but it?s now high time that we paid attention to our body and its nutritional needs. There?s always time to drop bad habits and pick up new ones, and what better than eating wisely during the most awful week that visits us every month. Turn your PMS blues into bliss and make others wonder how you do it all. The secret, of course, is just 5 steps away!

Read on

If your wife doesn't want sex, try doing the vacuuming 

 

3 Sex Tips for People with Sensitive Skin

A little sensitivity is a good thing -- it helps us relate to each other, enjoy a gentle touch, and share a good cry at the end of a Nicholas Sparks movie (even if we deny it later). However, extra sensitive skin is another story, especially when it comes to sex. Burning, itching and unsightly rashes can be real mood killers, but with a little planning and some sensitive skin lubricant, you and your skin can enjoy every sexy sensation. Just follow these three tips:

1. Consider Your Condoms.

Condoms made from different materials, like polyurethane, latex or polyisoprene find which material sare best for you,

2. Love Your Lube.

If you have skin that reacts easily to perfumes, dyes and other chemicals, the best thing you can do to protect yourself from irritation is to try some sensitive skin lubricant. Try a water based lubricant with soothing ingredients like Astroglide Sensitive Skin Gel. This sex lube formula even includes chamomile extract to keep skin pampered and calm. 

3. Rinse Away Rash-Causers.

Remember, items you use in the bedroom aren?t the only things that can irritate your skin. Your partner?s cologne or perfume can also contain chemicals that can lead to reactions. If you think something on your partner?s skin could be upsetting your own, why not rinse off together beforehand? It?s the perfect way to get things off to a steamy start!

 

Although these tips can help you soothe your sensitive skin, remember that not all reactions can be simply explained away as allergies. If you?ve tried different condom types, applied sensitive skin lubricant and steered clear of lotions and fragrances and you?re still experiencing redness, itching, burning or swelling, we definitely encourage you to visit your family Health Care Professional, or in severe cases, your local emergency room. Your skin could be showing signs of something  more serious,  so listen to what it?s trying to tell you and find out what?s really going on by seeking professional help!

 

The OkCupid Worst-Case Scenario Handbook

There are plenty of fish in the sea, but let?s be honest -- not all of them are majestic marlins. Navigating the waters of online dating takes some serious skill, and while you?re angling for the partner of your dreams, you may find yourself in more than a few unsavory situations that no amount of sex lube can help you slide out of. Don?t worry -- we?re here to throw you a lifeline. Take our advice and become the captain of your own dating destiny. Or, you know, at least save yourself from a few OkCupid creeps.

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What to do if you can?t get a reply to save your life.

You?ve uploaded that cool photo of you holding a monkey in Guam. You came up with some passably witty responses to fill out your profile, and you sent out more than a handful of messages to the most promising singles in your postcode. Yet despite all your efforts, your inbox remains empty. What should you do now?

Don?t: lose your cool. If you think confronting non-responsive site members will turn the tides in your favor, you?re sorely mistaken. Accuse users of being rude for not responding and you?re just going to look like a pathetic creep (not exactly the persona you want to cultivate, is it?)

Do: try a new approach. Something you?re doing isn?t working, so switch it up! Ask a brutally honest friend to take a look at your profile and let you know if you?re putting your best self out there. You might be coming across as a total weirdo and never know it! Next, try sorting your search results to show you the newest users first. Singles who?ve just joined OkCupid will be more excited to receive messages and therefore more likely to respond.

Lastly, try keeping your messages short and sweet and relatively innocent (save the mentions of personal lubricant preferences for your first date). Instead, include a question that makes reference to something specific in their profile. For example: ?I saw you just moved to the area -- have you eaten at (insert favourite local restaurant here) yet?? Keep it light and friendly and make sure each message you send is unique -- no copy and pasting!

 

What to do if you stumble upon your ex?s profile.

Don?t: message them to taunt them. Look, you?re both in the same boat, so you don?t really have much room to judge. Seeing someone you know on OkCupid is a bit like running into someone you know at a strip club. You?re both there for the same reason. If you?re not friends, there?s no reason to acknowledge each other. Pretend you don?t see them.

Do: laugh at them behind their back. Let?s be real -- not even Ghandi would be able to deny the opportunity to poke fun at an ex?s online dating profile. The trick is to act like some kind of award-winning nature photographer -- observe the beast without it knowing. Capture the experience. Enjoy later with friends.

To do this, sign up for ?A-List.? It?s an OkCupid feature that allows you to visit profiles without the owner knowing, and trust us -- it?s worth the couple extra bucks. Make sure you check off ?browse invisibly? in your settings, then head to their profile and enjoy the lols. Make sure you screenshot everything too -- they may stumble upon your profile and block you to save face. Plus, screenshots are easy to share with your friends -- and cackling evilly with a group is just so much more fun than cackling alone. Once you?ve got your screenshots, block them. They?ll never know you were there, you OkCupid ninja you.

 

What to do if your date looks nothing like their photos.

So you?ve met someone promising on OkCupid. They have a job, they get your 80s pop culture references and as a major bonus, they?re actually really cute. But then you meet them in person and suddenly it?s like someone fed your cute and cuddly Gizmo after midnight. You?re at the Cheesecake Factory with a full-blown gremlin. How should you react?

Don?t: accuse them of trying to ?trick? you. Everyone on OkCupid is trying to put their best face forward. And if you listed your body type as ?average? when you knew ?a little extra? was a lot more truthful, then you don?t have much room to judge. Your shapeshifting date might not even realize how many extra pounds or grey hairs they?ve gained since that college photo, so calling them out on it isn?t necessary -- it?s actually pretty cruel and futile. After all, it?s not exactly going to change the situation, is it?

Do: give them a shot. Unless you?ve been seriously catfished and someone who you thought was a 100 lb woman shows up as a 300 lb man, there?s no harm in having dinner or finishing up a few frames of bowling. Sharing a plate of cheese fries now doesn?t mean you have to share your sex lube later. And who knows? Your date?s killer sense of humor or smart and sassy conversation style might just transform them from a six back into a nine. Attraction is more than skin deep, and if at the end of the date you still aren?t feeling it, at least you had a nice time and scored some positive dating karma for your next adventure.

  

What to do if you develop a cyber stalker.

Don?t: shrug it off. Obsessive messaging may just seem annoying at first, but when those messages turn invasive or downright threatening, you could find yourself in some serious danger. Just because your stalker is separated from you by a few miles of cyberspace doesn?t mean they can?t and won?t turn to irl stalking in the future. This is definitely one of those scenarios where it?s better to play it safe.

Do: report them. To report a user, just click on ?report? under their latest cray cray message. Then type out a brief description for OkCupid support explaining exactly why your cyber stalker is crossing the line. You may even want to take screenshots of messages, photos, and their profile for future reference. There?s a chance you may be harassed by this creep in the future, and having an account of their shenanigans can?t do anything but help you when it comes to making future cases to OkCupid staff or (worst-worst case scenario) the local police.

Remember, if the world of OkCupid becomes overwhelming, you can always unplug, change out of your sweatpants and head into the real world to try to meet someone in person. Apparently, people still do that. But if you?re like us and you do everything from pay your bills to buy sex lube online, you know that realistically, you?re not going to give up on online dating that easily. So keep these tips in mind and be ready for anything.

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 How Sex Reduces Stress

Yoga, exercise and dancing can all help you unwind, but if you ask us, there is no better way to de-stress than with a red hot bedroom session.

Studies show that pleasurable experiences reduce the stress response in the brain ? likewise, those who have sex regularly are at lower risk of cardiovascular issues. This is no surprise given that a healthy sex life is positively correlated with regular exercise, a boosted immune system, a youthful appearance and lower incidence of depression, chronic pain and migraines.

 

There are several chemical explanations for the association between stress reduction and sex. Oxytocin, for example, spikes right before orgasm, and this so-called ?love hormone? is associated with increased compassion and deep relaxation. It makes sense then that sex often leads to restful sleep which carries a host of other related health benefits -- from lower blood pressure to a longer lifespan. While oxytocin surges during sexual arousal, cortisol, the stress hormone, decreases. Studies show that even exposure to erotic materials can lower levels of this stress hormone, so if you?re too tired to get it on, watching a sexy flick might do the trick.

 

If you?ve ever found yourself in a state of mild euphoria after sex, it may have to do with the endorphin rush during arousal and orgasm. This natural high not only blocks pain and enhances pleasure, but can help you let go of some of the little things that cause unnecessary stress by inducing a state of blissful satisfaction.

The intimate connection fostered through sex also helps to reduce stress. Couples who report having a healthy sex life also report higher levels of relationship satisfaction. And couples in happy relationships are more likely to exercise, eat well, seek medical care, recover from illness and avoid smoking, so the benefits flow from both directions. In addition, some animal studies suggest that sex can also impact the brain in a positive manner. In one study of rats, daily intercourse for fourteen days led to cell growth in the part of the brain associated with the regulation of emotion and memory.

 

Sex not only reduces overall stress, but it can also help to calm nerves in particularly stressful situations ? including public speaking! One study found that participants who recently had intercourse were better able to regulate their stress response when asked to speak in public and perform verbal arithmetic. So if you have a big presentation coming up, skip your last round of rehearsals and get busy already!

 

Want to make sure your next round of stress reduction goes without a hitch? Grab a free sample of Astroglide, and get to it!

Sex After Childbirth: 8 Things Every Couple Needs To Know

Congratulations on your new bambino! Having a baby changes your perspective on life immediately ? usually right after you hear that first cry. But now you?re out of the hospital, and you?re ready to get back to your normal routine ? meaning it?s time to start knockin? the boots.

 

Except, of course, the act of having sex is not even on your mind right now. You are trying to manage feeding the kid every three hours, changing diapers, taking showers (and keeping yourself presentable for the non-stop stream of relatives that keep coming over to see the baby), and ? hopefully ? getting some much needed nap time in between.

 

Add in leaky breasts, belly fat, and a fussy baby, and? well, it?s obvious that having sex after childbirth is challenging to say the least. I give my couples the okay to have sexual intercourse (vaginally) six weeks after delivery. I may ask them to wait longer depending on if their vaginal tears have healed, or if they are still having postpartum vaginal discharge.

 

Ladies, you have to follow up with your doctor or midwife so we can do a pelvic exam to clear you before you start having sex again. If you have sex before you?re fully healed, you may rip your stitches out or put yourself at risk of infection. If you?ve had a C-section, that advice still applies to you! A C-section is a major surgery ? your body needs time to heal from that, too. With that said, here are eight more things every couple needs to know about having sex after having a baby.

 

1. Your breasts might leak. It doesn?t matter if your partner is caressing them or you are having an orgasm ? sometimes milk will ?let down.? Additionally, if you are breastfeeding, sometimes you may not want your breasts to be touched ? your baby has been sucking on them and they can be tender. Pumping can make the breasts less tender. You can also consider wearing a tight bra during sex.

 

2. Sex can be painful. Estrogen levels drop after having a baby, meaning your vagina will be dry, making sex hurt. Breastfeeding can cause this to happen as well. The solution? Use lube. Astroglide can make sexual activity more comfortable.

 

3. It might not feel right. If you?re worried about things feeling a little loose, there are things you can do to help out, like your Kegels. Or even better, use Ben-Wa balls. These balls are weighted, and you have to use your muscles in your vagina to hold them in. Buy the ones with the string attached to them. This way you can increase resistance by tugging on them.

 

4. You will feel self-conscious. Stop it! You had a baby. Of course your body changed! Start exercising with your partner in order to get that body back in shape, and don?t forget about healthy eating ? but whatever you do, don?t feel guilty. After all, you just pushed a baby out of that body!

 

5. You should use birth control. Don?t risk getting pregnant during your postpartum period. I have seen this one too many times. Stay away from hormonal forms of birth control, also, as artificial hormones can decrease your sex drive.

 

6. You need to find the time for sex. At least once a week go on a date night (without the baby!) with your partner. Enlist all of those family members that have been coming over to visit for help. You don?t have to sacrifice intimacy when you have a child.

 

7. You need to get some rest. Altered sleep patterns (which are very common for new moms) can dampen your sex drive. Hire the new grandmother to care for the kid once in awhile. Fatigue is real, and it will sap your energy and your sex drive!

 

8. Your hormones will take time to even out. Due to fluctuating hormones (and everything else going on with your body), it?s completely natural for your libido to sink after pregnancy ? but don?t worry! If you?re determined, a little foreplay and some extended romantic sessions with your partner can still get things going. Everything will come back after you start having regular monthly periods.

 

 

  Guide to Oil-Based Lube

When it comes to personal lubricants, the sheer variety of choices can make you feel like grabbing your little dog, clicking your heels together and running right back home.

There’s liquids and gels and formulas that are water-based and silicone-based and oil-based — oh my.

Which one is right for you? Which one is right for tonight? How do you even begin to choose?

That’s where we’ve got you covered. For a complete overview of the different types of lube, check out our comprehensive guide to personal lubrication.

However, if you’re curious about oil-based lube, this is the guide for you.

Oil-Based Lubricant: What Is It?

If you’ve ever used a personal lubricant, you’re definitely not alone. A 2014 study conducted by researchers at Indiana University found that 65.5 percent of women reported using a personal lubricant at some point in their sexual lives, and 20 percent had used one within the past month.

Participants in the study said they used lube for a number of reasons, including making sex more comfortable, more fun and less painful.

Lube can definitely make sex better by enhancing the body’s own natural lubrication and temporarily reducing vaginal dryness, but choosing a lubricant can be overwhelming. There are a lot of options online and on drugstore shelves, and knowing which bottle belongs on your bedside table isn’t always straightforward.

It’s also important to pick a lubricant that works in harmony with your body — not against it. Maintaining a healthy vaginal pH can often be a delicate balancing act, and even something as simple as using a perfumed soap can upset this balance, leading to an uncomfortable and annoying infection. This is why many women are drawn to a lubricant with natural, plant-based ingredients.

Astroglide O is an oil-based personal lubricant and massage oil that contains a blend of organic and essential oils. As the only major brand to carry the Organic stamp of approval, Astroglide O provides long-lasting lubrication in a plant-based oil blend formula that is 99% organic.

The Many Uses for Oil-Based Lube

One of the best things about oil-based lube is that it can pull double duty. Because oil-based formulas are long-lasting and ultra-hydrating, they can be used as a personal lubricant during intimate activity, as a luxurious massage oil, or both. (Our vote is for both.)

Eager to give oil a try? Here are five ways to introduce oil-based lube into the bedroom.

Give ‘Em a Hand (Job)

According to Laura Berman at Everyday Health, oil-based lube can be a good choice for hand jobs.

Because a little tends to go a long way with oils, it should only take a small amount to create the slippery sensations needed for an amazing hand job. Here are five suggestions to try out the next time you have a little, uh, time on your hands.

Self-Lovin’

Oil-based lubricants also work great for masturbation and massage, as they are moisturizing and long-lasting. In addition to providing a smooth, luxurious feel, they deliver much-needed hydration to the skin.

Exploring Other Erogenous Zones

Oil-based lubes can also be used for non-genital stimulation, including non-genital — or “hands-off” — orgasm. As the name indicates, a non-genital orgasm involves sexual orgasm with a body part other than the genitals. This can include stimulation of the nipples, nape of the neck and any other area of the body.

As a bonus, many oils smell good enough to eat, which can set the mood when you’re looking to get extra close to your partner at the end of a long day.

Giving a Sexy Massage

Oil-based lubes can be a good option for a sexy massage, as they reduce friction and give plenty of glide across the skin, which is essential for soothing sore, tired muscles. And with some oil on hand, you don’t have to be a massage pro to give your significant other a relaxing rubdown.

According to board-certified Cathy Wong, oils are often blended to create the ideal texture and scent for massage.

Astroglide O contains a blend of the following oils:

Sweet Almond Oil – A pale yellow color, sweet almond oil contains antioxidative properties that are great for the skin. And because it’s hypoallergenic, it can also be used by those with sensitive skin.

Jojoba Oil – If your lover suffers from back acne, jojoba oil can pull double duty (we told you oil-based lube is a hard worker!) as both massage oil and acne treatment, as it’s believed to contain anti bacterial properties.

Coconut Oil – Coconut oil has become quite popular in recent years, with people using it for everything from a sweetener to a staple in vegan recipes. It can also be used as a massage oil — and because the fractionated form only contains a fraction of the whole oil, it’s less prone to staining towels, sheets and clothing than other oils.

Sunflower Oil – Extracted from sunflower seeds, sunflower oil is known for being light and non-greasy, which makes it an ideal oil for massages. It also contains the essential fatty acid linoleic acid, which is good for the skin.

Argan Oil – You’ve probably seen argan oil in a variety of haircare products, but did you know it’s also good for your skin? The levels of Vitamin E in argan oil can boost cell production and make the skin look healthier.

Ylang Ylang Oil - Made from the flower petals of the tropical ylang ylang tree, ylang ylang oil has been shown to lower blood pressure and promote calmness.

Using an Oil-Based Lube for Intercourse

If you’re going to use an oil-based lubricant for sexual intercourse, it’s important to note that oil-based lubricants break down latex, which means they aren’t safe to use with latex condoms, latex diaphragms or latex sex toys.

And when it comes to latex condoms, we’re not just talking the occasional tiny hole here and there. In lab tests, it took just 60 seconds’ exposure of commercial latex condoms to mineral oil to result in a 90 percent decrease in strength. In layman’s terms, that’s fast enough to flash-freeze your libido in everlasting permafrost.

Other types of oils didn’t fare much better. Baby oil caused latex condoms to break down in a measly five minutes.

The takeaway? If you’re going to use a personal lubricant with a condom, go with a water-based or silicone-based formula — both of which are usually safe to use with latex and other types of condoms. Check the individual package before use

Still Unsure Which Lube Is Right for You?

If you’re still uncertain which personal lubricant is best for you, why not check out our lube advisor? Plug in your preferences and browse suggestions to find the perfect fit. You never know — you might find you prefer a couple different options for different types of play. You can also get a free sample of Astroglide to try before you buy.

Ovulation

Hi #GYNEGirls! It’s Draion M. Burch here. Let’s talk about ovulation. Ovulation is the process by which a woman’s body releases an egg monthly from her ovaries. The egg travels down the fallopian tube and sits in the uterus waiting to get fertilised or die. Before we deep dive into FUN facts about ovulation, you must understand the menstrual cycle.

There are two phases of the menstrual cycle- follicular phase and the luteal phase. Ovulation occurs after the follicular phase BUT before the luteal phase. Both phases are typically 14 days. The follicular phase begins with the first day of your menses and ends right before ovulation. There are many hormones that play in this phase- mostly estrogen, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone. In the follicular phase, the dominant follicle for the month is selected and matures. The uterine lining starts to thicken. Hormones cause the follicle to rupture and release a mature egg. This is called ovulation.
Let’s review our FUN facts here.

1. Ovulation occurs 14 days BEFORE the first day of your menses.
2. Women are born with 2 million immature eggs. Only 400 eggs will ovulate in your lifetime.
3. Eggs live for 24 hours. Fertilisation can only occur during this time.
4. Cervical mucus becomes stringy like egg whites during ovulation.
5. You may have a pain on one side of the pelvis when the egg is released from the ovary. This is called Mittelschmerz.
6. You become more attractive during ovulation. Confidence increases and your skin is clearer.
7. Ladies also become hornier during this time. Don’t forget the #AstroglideLube.
8. Your taste, smell, and vision are increased. Ovulation brings on superhuman powers.
9. The Basal Body temperature increases. It’s the first resting temperature of the day.
10. You can release more than 1 egg- TWINS!
11. Breastfeeding and birth control prevents ovulation from occurring.

After ovulation, the follicle turns into a corpus luteum cyst. So its true ladies YOU get a cyst every month on your ovaries and it is NORMAL. This cyst makes a hormone called progesterone which preps the uterine lining for implantation i.e. it thickens AND maintains a pregnancy (if fertilization occurs) until a placenta is formed. This cyst can only last for 14 days. If no fertilisation occurs, the cyst and egg die. The hormones drop and this signals the body to start menstruating AGAIN. Isn’t the female body amazing?