Let us begin with a simple truth that rarely gets said out loud. Lube is for everyone. It is for people exploring solo pleasure, for couples of every age, for people using toys, for those who want more comfort, and for those whose bodies naturally fluctuate week to week or year to year. It is not only for those experiencing dryness and it certainly is not just for menopause. It is a tool for ease, connection and pleasure.
Yet despite how universal its benefits are, lube still carries a stigma. Too many people treat it like something to hide in the bedside drawer, rather than an everyday essential that supports healthy, comfortable intimacy. The idea that needing lube means something is wrong remains one of the biggest barriers to pleasure.
This narrative affects women in particular. Many have learnt to see natural lubrication as a measure of arousal or desirability, which means using lube gets tied to shame, embarrassment or feeling inadequate. That shame leads people to grit their teeth, endure discomfort or avoid intimacy altogether. The impact is real and it is unnecessary.
We are no longer suffering through pain for someone else’s pleasure. It is time to make comfort the standard.
The Stigma That Holds Us Back
Across UK media and social conversations the same misconceptions appear again and again. People share worries that lube means their body is not responding properly. Others talk about partners seeing lube as a rejection. Some internalise the idea that if their body needs support they must be doing something wrong. Many women say they have felt embarrassed asking for lube, even when sex was uncomfortable without it.
This silence has consequences. When discomfort is normalised, people stop listening to their bodies. They avoid sex rather than advocate for what they need. They prioritise someone else’s enjoyment over their own comfort. None of this should be part of a healthy intimate life.
Why Lube Matters For Everyone
Lube belongs in every intimate routine for several reasons.
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It protects the skin by reducing friction and minimising the risk of microtears or soreness.
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It supports the body during hormonal changes caused by stress, breastfeeding, medication, contraception or menopause.
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It enhances sensation and improves comfort during both solo and partnered intimacy.
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It helps people feel confident, relaxed and fully present.
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It is a sign of listening to your body rather than pushing through discomfort.
Choosing lube is not a sign of inadequacy. It is a sign of awareness and care.
Menopleasure Ageing Gracefully Orgasmically
Menopause is a natural transition and it deserves a more honest narrative. Hormonal changes can affect natural lubrication, sensitivity and intimacy. Instead of framing this as decline, we can embrace it as a new phase of understanding, confidence and choice.
Menopleasure is the shift from quiet endurance to empowered enjoyment. It is about supporting your body as it evolves and choosing comfort rather than silently pushing through. Lube becomes a positive tool in this stage, not because something is wrong but because your body deserves care and pleasure in every form it takes.
Lube During Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings its own fluctuations. Hormones can increase natural lubrication for some women and reduce it for others. Both are normal. Many pregnant women experience dryness due to changes in estrogen levels, increased blood flow or stress. Discomfort during sex can also come from heightened sensitivity or changes in vaginal pH.
Using a pregnancy safe lubricant helps maintain comfort, reduce friction and support the vaginal tissue as it adapts throughout pregnancy. Water based and fragrance free options are often recommended because they tend to be gentler on sensitive skin. Lube can help reduce the risk of irritation, allow for more relaxed intimacy and support you as your body changes week to week. Pleasure and comfort during pregnancy are not indulgences. They are part of staying connected to yourself and your partner at a time when your body is working incredibly hard.
A Natural Next Step Meet Victory Glide
If you want a lube that supports comfort through all life stages including pregnancy and menopause Naydaya’s Victory Glide is a gentle, natural and science backed choice. It is designed to enhance pleasure, reduce friction, soothe sensitive skin and work with your body rather than against it. Whether you are exploring menopleasure, navigating pregnancy changes or simply wanting intimacy to feel smoother and more enjoyable Victory Glide offers support without compromise.
So, here’s to cleanse care climax. And, continuing to break stigma, challenge taboos and support each other through all life stages.
Sources:
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Dazed
In Defence of Lube – feature on lube stigma and UK survey insights
https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/53844/1/lube-sexual-comfort-intimacy-shame-pain-sexual-health -
Marie Claire UK
What Is Lube and Why Do We Use It – explores myths around lubrication and desire
https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/life/sex-and-relationships/what-is-lube-82151 -
Fumble UK
Lube – a youth sex education explainer on stigma and healthy lubrication
https://fumble.org.uk/sex/lube -
The Guardian
Vaginal Dryness Is Widespread Yet Hidden – feature on dryness, menopause and shame in healthcare
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/mar/28/vaginal-dryness-menopause-shame -
Skinshop
Vaginal Health and Intimate Care – discussing taboos and women avoiding intimate conversations
https://www.skinshop.co.uk/blogs/blog/vaginal-health -
Reddit Community Discussions
Themes taken from:
r/TwoXChromosomes
https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoXChromosomes/
r/sex
https://www.reddit.com/r/sex/
r/SexToys
https://www.reddit.com/r/SexToys/
r/badwomensanatomy
https://www.reddit.com/r/badwomensanatomy/ -
Naydaya
Why It Is Important to Use a Lubricant When You Are Having Sex
https://www.naydaya.com/blogs/naydaya-hub/why-it-s-important-to-use-a-lubricant-when-you-re-having-sex