Lube can be used in more ways during sex than you can imagine. Lube can be intimidating because it’s not often talked about in society. We see it in stores but never think: wait, this can actually be super helpful!

So, what exactly is lube?

Lube is a, well, a lubricant that can help reduce friction and ease penetration. It’s not uncommon for it to get dry down there and lube solves all those problems. Lube can make a sexual encounter easier and feel more natural, thus making it more enjoyable for both parties.

Lube can be water, oil, petroleum, or silicone-based. If you’re using a condom, water-based is ideal since it’s less likely to cause the condom to break. Oil, petroleum, or silicone-based lube is more likely to break a condom, but will probably stay for longer and won’t wash off with water. The choice is really up to you and your partner.

Lube can be used in a myriad of ways. It can be used with condoms, even if a condom is already lubricated. The drier a condom is, the more likely it is to break, so it might be a good idea to add lube, just for safety reasons. You can even try adding lube to the inside of a condom for a unique sexual experience. Adding lube to the inside of a condom can increase pleasure for a man as it makes the feeling more sensitive. Just add a little bit of lube before unrolling the condom, and chances are the guy will want to do it every single time.

Lube doesn’t have to be used just during sex, too! It can be great for hand jobs and fingering as it adds extra moisture that might not come naturally. A dry handjob is never enjoyable- for both parties. The same goes for fingering, so add a little bit of lube to get rid of the chance of unfortunate dryness.

You can even use lube during a blowjob. It might sound strange because you imagine your mouth provides enough moisture as it is. For whatever reason it might be, a mouth can get dry during a blowjob, making it way less enjoyable. Just make sure the lube is unflavored, as flavored condoms can irritate.

Venturing into sex toys and finding them minimizing your wetness during sex? Lube can help. Add a little bit of extra moisture by adding lube to your sex toys, and you might find them working way better than you thought they would.

And if you’re taking matters into your own hands with masturbation, lube can be beneficial. While regular lotions can cause irritation, lube gives extra moisture without all the irritating chemicals in cream. You can even use lube with a vibrator for extra, extra pleasure. Just make a note of what you’re vibrator is made out of. You’ll want to use a water-based lube with a silicone vibrator as silicone lube can damage a silicone vibrator.

So, now that you know all the different ways lube can be used to increase pleasure during sex, don’t be afraid to go out and buy some for yourself. You never know, it might end up being a total game-changer for your sex life.