Sex With Emily - The Lube Show: The Wetter, the Better

Episode Date: October 14, 2022

If you know me, you know that my dream is to have a bottle of lube on every nightstand. But why? Enhanced pleasure is one reason. And on this episode, I’ll give you several more. Think of this as your consumer reports on lube: I’m answering all of your lube inquiries, giving you the low-down on key ingredients, and helping you reach for the right lube at the right time. I’m also breaking down the science behind lube’s benefits, and walking you through the best options for every type of sexual occasion.  Show Notes:Article: How To Find The Best Lube For YouPlayground (use code SEXWITHEMILY for 15% off first order)Uberlube “Good to Go” Travel Sets from Good Vibrations Woo More Play Coconut OilPjur’s Back Door LubeSliquid SilkSystem JoCoconuOhLaviniaForia CBD Intimacy OilGoLove CBD Intimate LubeFirst Response Pre-SeedGood Clean Love Biogenesis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I think of Lube like a SPF for your sex life. So you know those days you're like, do I need to wear SPF on my face? Well, it's not sunny out, but you still wear it. Because you're like, well, I can still get sun through the clouds. Well, we still need Lube even if we're wet or a little bit wet. Because it's a consistent safety factor and it makes sex more pleasurable. You're listening to Sex with Emily. I'm Dr. Emily and I'm here to help you prioritize your pleasure and liberate the conversation around sex. If you know

me, you know that my dream is to have a bottle of lube on every nightstand. But why? Well, enhanced pleasure is one reason. And on this episode, I'll give you several more. Think of this as your consumer reports on loop. I'm answering all of your loop inquiries, giving you the low down and key ingredients and helping you reach for the right loop at the right time. I'm also bringing down the science behind loop's benefits

and walking you through the best options for every type of sexual occasion. Intentions with Emily for each episode join me in sending an intention for the show. I do it and I encourage you to do the same. So when you're listening, think about what do you want to get out of this episode? How could this episode help you? Well, my intention is to help you understand why Loub is so vital to your sexual health. And by the end of this episode, you? Well my intention is to help you understand why Lube is so vital to your sexual health. By the end of this episode, you'll know how to match your specific sexual needs with the right Lube. Please rate and review Sex with Emily wherever you listen to the show.

Check out my YouTube channel, social media and TikTok. It's all at Sex with Emily for more sex tips and advice. If you want to ask the questions, do it. Leave me your questions or message me at sexwithemily.com slash ask Emily or call my hotline 559 talk sex or 559 825 5739. Always include your name your age where you live and how you listen to the show and it's totally cool to change your name or choose to remain anonymous. Alright everyone, enjoy this episode. Let's talk about Lou.

It's something I think everyone should have more of in their life and I talk about it all the time. And there's a reason, because it's important to often underestimate it. So today I'm answering all your questions about Lube. So we can learn just what makes it so necessary, like why am I a Lube pusher? Okay, but before I get into your questions,

let's just go over some lubrication basics. Let's talk first about what Lube is not. Okay, so here's a conversation that happens frequently. I tell someone about loobe or I recommend a loobe like oh oh oh I don't need loobe. We don't need loobe. We're okay. It's like people instantly feel shamed if I bring up loobe and that speaks to the notion that we all believe that we should be lubricated and ready to go at any time. But let me just tell you this. There was a very important study by the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2014 that found that

only 25% of men and 20% of women had used lube in the last 30 days. And I don't think that numbers changed because we did our own study a few years ago and I found it like 90% of my listeners are interested in lube but had it used lube yet. So remember, it's nothing to be ashamed of. And in fact, using lube consistently is crucial for pleasurable and safer sex. And I want to tell you this. Listen to me now. This is important. Your wetness level, so I'm speaking to the vulvas out there. Your wetness level is not a direct indicator of a rousal. Say it again.

How wet you are does not necessarily mean you're roused. You could be really wet and not turned on. You can be turned on and now wet. It fluctuates different times in month, different years, different times in your cycle, different foods that you eat and medications, which will get into it. But just remember that that is a fallacy. So everything you've been told about your wetness level is not true. I think of loop, like a SPF for your sex life. So you know those days you're like, do I need to wear SPF on my face? Well, it's not sunny out, but you still

wear it because you're like, well, I can still get sun through the clouds. Well, we still need lube, even if we're wet or a little bit wet because it's a consistent safety factor and it makes sex more pleasurable. It's kind of like a facial for your vulva, especially if you use ones with really good ingredients. All right, so what is lube anyway? Well, lubes come in many different forms which I'll get into.

It's like a liquid or gel and it's used to make vulva and penis, wetter and easier for sex. And remember, I believe that lube should be used for any sexual situation, whether it's sex with yourself, masturbation, or with a partner. Like I really don't do anything sexual without lube. Okay, so here are the kinds.

There's oil-based lube, and these are long-lasting, not safe to use with latex condoms or toys because they actually do grade condoms over time. And they're more likely to irritate the skin. There's not that many oil-based leaves out there anymore. There are some coconut oil-based leaves that have come out that I do think are great. Whoe more play makes a coconut love oil that's also a misogil and I really like that because it's made from organic coconuts and natural ingredients and it's

really fun to play with. So oil based loops can be fun, but just be careful how they break down condoms and toys. Okay, water based loops can be used with condoms and sex toys. They wash off really easily, but they evaporate more quickly so they don't last as long and they may need to be reapplied to maintain wetness. But when people have sensitivities, I just say stick with a water

base. And I love playground. This is a top shelf, a new body safe, lube, and they use really quality ingredients, ashwaganda, which is a sexual stimulant known to grease blood flow, promote more pleasurable orgasms. They use black cohash, which funding up. These are like supplements that I take daily. So now I love that they're actually in my loob. Black coaches are an herbal extract, no debalanced hormone levels and decreased vaginal dryness and playgrounds is fun. They have four essences, they're not flavors, but they're essences and they're just fun to play with. You will love it. And it's a safe loob if you've ever had irritations or just want a loob that you know, like this is I feel good about what's going

in my body. And it's fun for a limited time. My listeners can receive 15% off their first order. Just use the code sex with Emily at hello playground.com. That's hello playground.com code sex with Emily. Okay. So silicone based loop. So silicone loops. I love there's just one ingredient and that is silicone. And silicone are longer lasting than water-based. They're condom safe, harder to rinse off, and they might irritate skin if not rinsed off immediately.

And you can't use them with silicone toys because it deteriorates the silicone. The silicone lubes that I love, uberlube, makes just a great silicone lube. I love their bottles, they're packaging, it's like a clear glass bottle. You leave it at a nightstand, people are like, oh, I don't, I can't even tell that makes just a great silicone loop. I love their bottles, their packaging. It's like a clear glass bottle. You leave it at a nightstand. People are like, oh, I can't even tell that that's a loop. I don't think you should care, that there's a loop at a nightstand, but I understand some people do.

And then pure, I love pure, it's PJUR. They make a backdoor loop specifically made with anal sex in mind. And it's long lasting. It also has a hobo oil and guava extract. So helps with relaxation. so great for anal. All right, let's highlight hybrid ludes. They're all that many hybrid ludes,

but I like this because there's like a touch of silicone and a little bit of water-based. So it's like the best of both worlds. So it's slipperyness of water with the longevity of silicone, condom safe, still not safe with silicone toys. And I like Sliquid, just a great brand, Sliquid Silk is a hybrid loop,

so it's like water-based with a little bit of silicone, and it's a great formula. So I would check that out. Then we get into flavored and edible loops, huge fan of flavor of loop. I've talked about it for years, but I'm like, oh, are they really good? Well, I'm gonna tell you some that are good,

but the reason why flavor loops are fun is because they're great for oral sex, they're safe to swallow. You know, even if not specifically edible, most regular water and silicone-based loops just so you know are safe to swallow, but it's fun when they do have a really great flavor. So you do want to stay away from the loops

that you don't want to eat, have glycerin or parabens, petroleum jelly, DMDM. But essentially, there's a bunch of ingredients on a loob that you don't know what those things are. Probably don't want to use that loob. Eat that loob or put that loob inside of you. That's just a great rule of thumb to follow. System Joe, they make dozens of flavored loob options.

They have a peach flavored option. They have like all these fruits. They have the chocolate. I love their cre like all these fruits. They have the chocolate. I love their creme brulee. I love their mint chocolate. They're all water-based. Made with plant-based glycerin, which is important. And they're free from added sugars

or artificial sweeteners. Another one, they set me samples. They're great as coconut. This is a long-lasting lubey with coconut water, free of artificial dyes and fragrances. Great for vaginal sex and econous sex. And actually, all these lubes I'm telling you about now are great for pen-trade of sex, just so you know. And the coconut is also 100% edible until it's subtle coconut taste. Alright, let's get into CBD lube. This is the emerging category of lubes.

The benefits are increased sensitivity, helps with relaxation. A lot of people have reported that it does really help to increase pain. Again, they don't work for everybody, but try it out. Some say it can regenerate the skin. So a few brands that I like here, and again, the space is there's a lot

popping up all the time, is I love for you. I work with them for a while. They were the first to market. They make a CBD loop just for all genders and has just two ingredients. It has a broad spectrum CBD and organic coconut oil. So that's a really fun one. Then there's a new one. I met this great woman Kate at a party. She was making this loop and I tried it. It's great. This is silicone loop with CBD. It's called O Lavigne, LVINIA, and their products have THC and CBD, and you have to remember that in some states, you won't be able to get these lubes if it has THC in

it, right, which is the psychoactive ingredient. The another one is Golov, CBD Intimate Lube. That's a water-based lube. So the water-based lube with CBD can be used with condoms and it has CBD again, acts as an anti-inflammatory and encourages blood flow for optimal sexual wellness. That is go love. Those are lube that you can choose from in the market. I hope that helps and let me know if I miss anyone who believes you're loving right now because there's a lot going on in the lube space. What are some other reasons why you need some loop? Loop makes for more pleasurable sex. So first, it makes sex more comfortable. Because dry, un-looper-cated sex,

not only doesn't feel as great, but it creates friction that can be painful. It can cause tears, especially if you have a vagina. Internally, it can have infections if there are those tears. And that's why I think of loop as like a vagina internally, it can have infections if there are those tears. And that's why I think of lube as like a SPF, it's like a safety measure. Because remember, you might be wet at the beginning of sex and then maybe few minutes later, it you dry up and then you get wet again.

Like this is just a consistency, just to know when you add lube, you're going to have more comfort and less worry. And then there's just more possibilities with lube. You want to try anal? Well, you're definitely getting any lubrication since the anus is not naturally lubricating, so super fun for anal. And then more stamina.

The more lubricated and wet your sex is, the more sex you can have. When sex, we probably all experiences, right? There's more friction and more dryness. That's just gonna tear you out. And then eventually you're gonna have some pain. Like that's when you get exhausted and you pain and the next day you're like,

what did I do last night? You probably didn't have enough loo. So if you're looking for more stamina, start with some loo. And then more orgasms. This is probably one of my favorite stats about loo. And I think this is the one that gets people over the edge like, oh, I didn't know that sign me up for lube. Lube-brecated sex leads to more orgasms.

There was a very important study by Indiana University and that is the Center for Sexual Health. It's the premier place for sex education is the Indiana University and they found that Lube makes it 50% easier for everyone to orgasm and particularly love owners who usually were 80% 80% more likely to orgasm in every sexual situation Lube also makes for safer sex It may be obvious to you that un lubricated sex is more painful sex But you got that, right? Like if there is a...

It's not lubricated, it's going to hurt. But also, less friction means less risk. So condoms. Lube reduces the risk of condoms breaking, making protected sex inadvertently unprotected. If it's dry, like the condoms going to break. So this increases the chance of the SCIs and unwanted pregnancies, then there's skin tearing. This is so common. Loop reduces the risk of skin tearing, which is how STIs enter the body. That's how a lot of us get yeast infections and STIs and UTIs and all the

things that happen to us is because there is tearing. So you just add lube. You have to reapply the lube, just make sure, and when you start using lube, you're going to realize, like, I get it. I'm going to need it near me all the time. It just sex just feels better. And here's the thing about safer sex. Saliva is not a substitute for lube. Okay? I know a lot of people use saliva, and I'm not trying to freak you out here, but STIs, such as throat gonorrhea,

are general herpes spread through saliva. It introduces bacteria from saliva into the vulva, then that can upset your delicate vaginal microbiome, which I'll get more into in the show as well. And this can cause a yeast infection, inflammation, and saliva doesn't have the same slippery consistency. And it evaporates and dries up super quickly. It's like gone.

And sometimes you can't even elicit that much saliva. Just rule out saliva. It just can irritate the skin. There's just problems with it. Another notice, if you're trying to conceive, saliva can slow down sperm. And there are loops specifically designed to address this, which I'm also going to get into shortly. Alright everyone, that is your Loub primer. I'm going

to take a short break and I'll be back to answer all your questions about Stay tuned. Alright, first email from Nadine34 in Los Angeles. Hey Dr. Emily, I'm new to your podcast and love your attitude and approach. I'm a very sexual person and enjoy intimacy and physical connection with my partner. What's always stood out is that despite a very strong drive and desire to have sex, I can't get wet. You must hear this a lot and I've done my research over the years, but I still can't get an answer that resonates. I can orgasm pretty easily from oral sex. I feel the urge to have sex and retract to my partner, but I feel like there's something wrong with me because I'm not getting a rouse like I'm supposed to. Sometimes this can affect my confidence

and distract me from climaxing. Curious to hear your thoughts and advice. All right, Nadine, great question. I do hear this a lot, and it makes sense that you would orgasm pretty easily from oral sex. In fact, it makes sense to a lot of all the owners orgasm easily from oral sex,

because it's wet, using a tone, right? So, and I get, yes, there is saliva and oral sex so that might be very confusing to all of you. But yeah, you can still catch STIs with oral sex. So, that is still a possibility, but I am not gonna tell people to stop having oral sex, but oral sex is wet enough, allows you to orgasm. So, here's the thing they do.

Your natural lubrication is not a given. And vaginal dryness is common for so many reasons reasons for so many women at different stages of their life. Okay, so hormone levels, specifically estrogen. So for women who are still menstruating and even if you're not menstruating, our hormone levels are going to shift over our cycle, right? So when your cycle shifts, there might be different times of month where you are wetter and different times where you're not has nothing to do with you being aroused or not into your partner. And again, going back to the stigma and the shame around lube, the reason why we have so much shame around it, and people are like, oh, I don't need lube or, oh well, let me, you know, go get the lube that's under my bed, under the mattress, I'm shamed about it. No, this is why I want to lube it every night, and it's because we don't understand that lube's actually

going to help every sexual situation. And this information is not out there, which is why I'm giving it to you now. If we just had more information about women's sexual health, we have known this so long ago, and women would have been the best advocates for their own lubrication, which I'm hoping that's going to happen after this show. Also, if you're stressed out, that can also impact your ability to lubricate and then medication.

This is a huge factor, Nadine. You didn't mention if you were on medications, but let me tell you all this. Birth control pills, IUDs, all impact your ability to be lubricated. And his demeans, think about it. If something dries out your nose, dries out your allergies, it's gonna dry out your vagina. So cold and allergy medications, sedatives like Xanax, Adivan, heart medications, beta blockers, estrogen modulators. Those are all the medications that are going to impact your whitenness level. And then we get into breastfeeding and childbirth. After you have a baby, your hormones levels are in flux and you just might not feel that you're able to get, as what? Cigarette smoking, menopause, paramanopause, douching.

Oh my god, don't get me started on douching, you guys. Remember, your vagina is a self-cleaning oven. Think of it that way. And it really doesn't need all the bells and whistles and dyes and all that, so douching can actually dry you out and is not good for you to do. And, vaginal dryness, just noting it is something that increases with age, especially with the onset of parimenopause and menopause.

But there are some great things you can do now during those stages of life as well, including HRT or hormone replacement therapy. And if you are interested in hormone replacement therapy, you definitely want to find a provider near you that specializes in hormones and just a reminder that your gun ecologist doesn't always have the best information for these stages of life. So I just want you to know that there's nothing wrong with you, Nadine, and I don't want you to feel bad or shameful for needing lubrication. So I would definitely just leave one on your nightstand. And then we won't have to worry about it. And you'll have more pleasure and more orgasms. All right. Thank you so much for your question, Nadine. This is

from Naomi31 in New York. Hey, Dr. Emily, I think my antidepressant has caused me to have a hard time getting wet. I don't want to come off the antidepressant as it has radically changed my life and mental health for the better. But I used to get really wet, really fast. And now it can feel like there's a harrow down there even if I'm really turned on. I'm so embarrassed and I'm freaked out that when a spontaneous moment strikes to be intimate, I won't be able to. Am I supposed to carry a loop with me everywhere I go? Do they even make per-size loop?

And then there's the whole, where do I even start? When it comes to choosing a loop thing, help. All right, I got you. And yes, you are supposed to carry around a loop. I have a loop in my wallet, in my purse. I have loops everywhere. I lose in my car. It's actually a joke with my team that there are loops everywhere. And for good reason, you never know when you're going to want to have sex. You're going to need a loop. So I'm with you. But again, you you have played the show for your lovers, for your friends. This is the mission of the show is to just destigmatize, loop and have y'all just get some loop and change your life. So, Vatual Dryness is leading side effect about

it a presence known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs. So we're talking about Prozac, Zoloft, lexapro. Those are all the ones that are going to, this is gonna be a factor. And I know it's a bummer because there you were depressed or terribly anxious and then you didn't want to sex and then all of a sudden you take an antidepressant and you're like, oh my god, I want to sex,

but now I can orgasm or I am dry, which sucks. I know it does. Now remember, never just go off these medications, but you can't talk to your doctor. Sometimes you can go down in a certain medication at another one and, but all I'm saying is just know the side effects of it and be prepared with some lube and some really important conversations with partners.

So please, you guys don't be embarrassed or freaked out. I know people ask me all the time, like, well, how do you just introduce lube? And I'm like, I literally don't even think about it anymore. So I can just tell you that I just, you know, if I'm about to get intimate with somebody, I just, I really don't. I'm trying to think of another equivalent of this in my life.

I guess I don't go outside without some block and I will not have sex with that Loub. In fact, it's a no go. It just doesn't even happen unless there is Loub. There are some travel-sized Loubs for wetness on the go. Playground has the most adorable discovery kit wetness on the go. Playground has the most adorable discovery kit. If you haven't tried Playground yet, they have these little foil packets. It's their four way of fun for only $6 so you can try them all out and see which ones

that you like. They're little mini, I have these in my purse, they're mini foil packets. You leave it in your wallet, in your car, wherever. So they have four different kinds that's Discovery Kit. And I recommend trying these out and carrying around with you. Playground is the water-based You leave it in your wallet in your car wherever. So they have four different kinds that's Discovery Kit. And I recommend trying these out and carrying around with you. Playground is the water-based loobs that are great for volvas and all people. It's clean and pH balance and plant-based and vegan and really it smells and tastes incredible.

Okay, then there's uberlobe. Uberlobe is silicone loob and they have these little go-to travel sets and they have a refillable leak proof travel bottle. You can get it good vibrations. We're going to put these links in our show notes to the brands. I am recommending. So, that's our recommend for you. Just get used to it.

It's going to be a new habit, but there's nothing wrong with you Naomi. I don't want you to be any embarrassment. And just matter of fact, there's no apologies. Oh, I'm sorry I need loop or is that weird I need loop. This is how we normalize things. We just normalize it by doing it. You don't have to apologize because you are a woman with a vulva and hormones that fluctuate or taking an

presence because listen, more people are on medication right now than ever. So let's just do it you guys. It just means that you are prioritizing your pleasure and you are essentially hacking your way to better sex using things that are actually really important and probably going to change your life. Did I mention that more lead leads to more orgasms? Did you hear that? All right, thank you for your email. I appreciate you, Naomi. The next one is from the Lysf 42 in New York. Hey, Dr. Emily, I have a very sensitive vagina

that always becomes foul smelling after sex or solo play. My pH balance is way off by the time I wake up and will be like that for days. I don't have pain or discharge. Bork acid supositories will help after a few days with the spell. I also take a probiotic for women and vaginal health. But it leaves me wanting to avoid any sexual activity

for days after. What is the best loop during play and how can I treat it quickly and safely after? Please help a girl out with a great recovery plan. So I can enjoy sex again more frequently. Alright Melissa, I got you. I actually put together an entire recovery plan for you and all the vaginas and vulvas listening or people who love them. All right, so what is this pH value we talk about, which is this pH off like, what does that mean?

So essentially, it just a measure of how acidic or basic alkaline your vulva is. So a lower number is being more acidic and a higher number being more neutral. So the normal range is 3.8 to 5, but depends on your age. So if you're a reproductive age, a 4.5, if post-benopausal, above 4.5. And this is why your pH levels are important, because they directly relate to vaginal health, skin irritation, and the risk of yeast infection. So what causes a pH imbalance? How does it happen? Okay, so here's your treatment plan for

before and during after sex. So before sex, but here's the preventative thing, it's just lifestyle changes. Not using scented products like body lotions, wearing super tight clothing and thongs, you know, can set up your pH balance. If you are eating too much sugar or gluten or alcohol that can impact your pH balance. It's important to hydrate. I'm not the first person to tell you to hydrate, but listen, the more water we drink, the more hydrate we are, the more likely we're going to have a healthier pH balance. Okay, during sex, choose lobes that are glycerin, alcohol, and petrochemical free whenever possible.

Okay, I mentioned playground, they are pH balanced, they particularly made loo with this in mind. Here's what else could happen during sex. On-protectic sex with a new partner can lead to unbalanced pH because semen is relatively alkaline. pH value approximately eight. So guess what? A new partner and new person's body parts? Well, that's gonna alter your pH value. Have you had that experience?

It used to happen to me when I had new partners. I was like, why is this happening? Well, that is why you're kind of upsetting your pH balance with something new, adding something new. So it doesn't mean you shouldn't be having sex as new partners because you can even come from condoms. It just means that you know you have to do some of the things that I'm going to mention in a moment. And here's another thing, do you clean or do you do? Remember the giant is self-cleaning under normal circumstances. So excessive cleaning or duching can create an on ballads flora, which we do not want. Okay, so how do you treat it? How do you treat after you have sex?

What do you do? Well, you can test vaginal secretions with your doctor to find specific fungus that's exasperating this. You might need antifungal medications if you have a yeast infection or something's happened and it's inflamed. You might need toifungal medications if you have a yeast infection or something's happened and it's inflamed. You might need to take an antibiotic. So here's the thing about taking an antibiotic. So if you do get an infection, is that it will inhibit bacterial growth, which can also

kill good bacteria and throw off your vaginal flora, which is why it's really important after you complete a cycle of antibiotics to take a probiotic. It's so important, okay? And if it keeps reoccurring, then the yeast infection isn't completely clearing up that as a problem. So now you have to focus on truly treating it. So you don't have to do with this recurrent stress.

So go to your doctor, get some more tests, see what you need to do, maybe you need to abstain from having any sexual activity for a while. Remember you guys, just a P after sex, P before sex, empty your bladder, clean up, have wipes by the bed, or go to the bathroom and wipe out.

That's just really important, also making sure that you and your partner have clean hands that you've showered, because we're talking about bacteria that can get in here. So all that's important. I make my partner wash their hands, we shower. You just want to be careful what's getting into you and what is going to upset the pH

balance. Okay, so we're talking about yeast infections, which are really common, but so is bacterial vaginosis, okay? So bacterial vaginosis is a type of vaginal inflammation that's caused by the overgrowth of bacteria that's naturally found in the vagina. That's going to upset our natural balance. And it's really common to get BV. So you can get it if you're pregnant.

You can get it if you have an IUD. If you have multiple sex partners. If you have a new sex partner, you use douches. This is how you can get BV. So what is the difference between bacterial biogenosis and yeast infection? This is an important distinction. I get asked this a lot too. So both BV and yeast infections are vaginal infections that increase discharge.

But how do you tell the difference? Well, the discharge. The hallmark of BV is a discharge that kind of has a fishy smell. And yeast infections don't typically have a strong smell but they might look more like cottage cheese. Vagil orientation, well BV doesn't cause vaginal orientation or itchiness yeast infections do. This is important because a lot of times love owners can have BV but they don't know it because there's not a lot of signs and the only sign is an odor. So, sign note, if you're with a vulva owner and you've noticed that there's been a

change and you're like, what happened? Do I say something? I'm not sure by part she's showering and all the things. It's because she might have an untreated bacterial vaginosis infection that she doesn't know about. And you know, since we just can't smell ourselves, she's never had down there. You do, right? So you need to let your partner know if you do smell an odor. And I get this is an uncomfortable conversation to have. So you simply just want to say, hey, I noticed that there's been a change on there.

I'm smelling a different kind of odor. And I love you and I care about your health. So this might be something that you want to get checked out by your doctor. And there are over the counter treatment. So here's the other differences. You can treat yeast infections with over the counter medications.

You can walk into a local drug store, but you have to see your healthcare provider to get antibiotics for BV. So the only way bacteria of bed gen doses can be treated is with an antibiotic. Prevent both of them the same way though. Like I said, you want to make sure you bring more condom wear that you're not wearing things that are constricted or tight. Just be mindful. Be mindful of your sexual health and wellness. What you're putting inside of you,

making sure that you're clean and trying to read about bacteria, you know, clean hands, all the things that could cause an infection. All right Melissa, there you go. There's your plan. Let me know how it goes. All right, this is from Allison 28 in Iowa. Hey Dr. Emily, my husband and I are trying to conceive. We've heard loop can impact the sperm trail and make it harder to conceive. What's it good for Tilly-Dee's safe Loop you recommend? Alright, that is correct. What type of Loop can impact your ability to conceive? And remember, lubrication doesn't kill sperm.

It's not birth control. However, it can affect semen's ability to move more efficiently, to move more spontaneously and actively. So, that's what we care about here. So you want to select a lubrication that is most helpful to sperm. You want to avoid lobes containing petroleum, propylene glycol, glycerin, paraben, silicone, nonoxyl-9. Sometimes abbreviated as N9 and also void using saliva, as I mentioned.

So I recommend pre-seed, it's a sperm-friendly, glycerin-free, PHP-balance, isotonic, by first response, lube. That's what I recommend. Also good, clean love. They have a biogenesis fertility lubricant. It's an all-natural option, so I recommend. So yeah, definitely, you know, focus on fertility, safe lube if you're trying to get pregnant. I'm sure you're doing all the other things, like monitoring your temperature, and you can follow what it does.

There's a great period of tracking apps and fertility apps that help make sure that you're going to conceive in the most efficient way. Thank you so much, Alice, for your email. It's gonna help a lot of people. We don't talk about this kind of loops a lot, but it is important to pick the right loop for any sexual situation.

That's it for today's episode, see you on Tuesday. Thanks for listening to Sex with Emily. Be sure to like, subscribe, and give us a review wherever you listen to the podcast and share this with a friend or partner. You can find me on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter at Sex with Emily. Oh, I've been told I give really good email. So sign up at sexwithemily.com and while you're there, check out my free guides and articles for more ways to prioritize your pleasure.

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