5 Things That Significantly Impact Your Intimate Well-Being

Sexual fulfillment is a vital aspect of personal well-being and balance in a relationship, but for people with vaginas, it is sometimes limited by various issues related to intimate comfort. Understanding what lies beneath these is crucial to experiencing a fulfilling sexuality. Here are five reasons that may explain a lack of pleasure during sexual intercourse.

Have you ever experienced unpleasant sensations during intercourse that prevented you from enjoying yourself? You are not alone ! Inadequate lubrication, dyspareunia or vulvovaginal dryness most often lead to pain during intercourse, this has been proven several times and yet the impact of these factors on sexual pleasure continues to be underestimated. However, when we suffer from problems related to intimate comfort (and there are many of us), we cannot talk about fulfilled sexuality or intimate well-being. Intimate comfort is an important aspect of the sexuality of people with vulvas that can make all the difference in our sexual experience, but it is above all an ecosystem and preventive measures that deserve to be known by everyone, from a young age.

The 5 things that influence intimate comfort during intercourse:

1. Personal hygiene practices: let’s sort out the truth from the lies

Often surrounded by myths, intimate hygiene plays a significant role in sexual comfort. And contrary to what we sometimes tend to think, it is not the lack of hygiene that poses the biggest problem. On the contrary, excessive intimate hygiene or the use of products that are too aggressive for the vulvovaginal mucous membranes can cause irritation of the intimate parts in women, infections and general discomfort.

Are you wondering why, counterintuitively, excessive hygiene can harm your genital health? Well, quite simply because washing too much ends up "stripping" the intimate flora. However, it is this flora that protects the mucous membranes of the vulva and vagina against bacteria, viruses, allergens and parasites, particularly against the fungus responsible for mycoses, candida albicans . It is therefore essential to adopt appropriate hygiene practices , doing neither too much nor too little.

2. Hydration of genital tissues

Adequate hydration of intimate tissues is crucial for sexual comfort and pleasure. Genital tissues are covered with mucous membranes, i.e. moist skin tissues that, unlike the skin, do not have a horny layer to protect them from aggression and prevent dehydration. They are therefore more permeable and fragile than the skin, which makes them particularly sensitive to chemical aggressions and viral, bacterial or fungal infections. Apart from vaginal dryness, insufficient hydration can lead to significant discomfort or even pain during sexual intercourse.

To minimize the risk of discomfort, the clitoris and the vulvovaginal mucosa require sufficient hydration to maintain their sensitivity, elasticity and ability to prevent the entry of pathogenic germs. This hydration can be influenced by various factors: hormonal fluctuations, taking certain medications, physiological changes (puberty, menopause, pregnancy, etc.).

3. Various intimate pains

Some sexual dysfunctions, such as dyspareunia (pain during intercourse), can be a major obstacle to pleasure. They can have various origins:

• Infections;
• Inflammatory conditions;
• Dermatological problems;
• Hormonal disorders;
• Psychological factors.

When we talk about dyspareunia, these pains appear mainly at the time of penetration (just before, during or just after). They can be superficial or felt deep in the lower abdomen. In all cases, they have a very heavy impact on sexuality. Recognizing and treating sexual dysfunctions is therefore essential to improve comfort and intimate pleasure.

4. The quality of lubrication during sexual intercourse

The natural lubrication of the vagina promotes glide during penetration and reduces friction and micro-lesions during the act. For various reasons, it can be insufficient. This is sometimes the case for people who suffer from stress, when taking certain medications or following hormonal changes. The use of good quality lubricants can then greatly improve comfort during sexual intercourse.

5. Psychological and emotional factors

The psychological dimension plays a considerable role in the sexual experience. Various factors that, at first glance, have nothing to do with sexuality can have a strong impact on what one feels during the intimate act:

• Stress, anxiety, difficulty letting go;
• Certain psychological or physical trauma;
• Cultural , social and religious beliefs ;
• Disagreements in the couple.

Increase pleasure during intercourse by acting on these factors:

1. Adopt balanced personal hygiene practices

To optimize your intimate comfort, adopt a gentle toilet routine:

• Avoid vaginal douches, disinfectants and perfumed shower gels which strip the intimate mucous membranes;
• Choose gentle cleansers, without soap or dedicated to the intimate area, or even just water.
• Limit washing to the external area (the vulva). The vagina is self-cleaning and does not require any special care;
• After washing, dry the area thoroughly to prevent excessive moisture, which can lead to fungal infections;
• When cleaning, as with drying, always proceed from front to back to avoid transferring germs from the anus to the vagina or urinary system.

These reflexes, certainly succinct, but largely sufficient, can be adopted from a very young age.

2. Think about hydrating genital tissues

Proper hydration of the intimate area can be maintained by drinking enough water and avoiding dehydrating substances such as caffeine and alcohol. To make sexual intercourse more enjoyable, use water-based lubricants to promote glide during penetration. We also recommend using water-based lubricants during periods of intimate dryness, such as postpartum or breastfeeding. Caution: you should always ensure that they are compatible with condoms and intimate toys. This information is usually indicated on the packaging of each intimate lubricant. In case of persistent dryness, especially during menopause , consult a healthcare professional to discuss the hormonal treatments and specific topical care that may be available to you.

3. Discuss your intimate pain with a healthcare professional

Consultation with a specialist is essential to treat sexual dysfunctions in people with vaginas. Thorough examinations will help identify the causes and propose adequate treatments that take them into account. These can be physical therapies, medications or psychological approaches. In case of symptoms, pain or intimate discomfort, we strongly recommend that you do not delay in talking to your doctor to avoid unnecessary complications.

4. Improve vaginal lubrication

Aside from using lubricants during intercourse, there are certain practices that can naturally increase vaginal lubrication:

• Give more importance to caresses and intimate games to increase the excitement and give the body time to prepare itself naturally.
• Relax to be fully present during the act.
• Avoid irritants, parabens and other controversial substances that impact the health of the mucous membranes.
• Consume foods naturally rich in probiotics to preserve the proper functioning of the vulvovaginal flora.

5. Quiet your mind

To promote your psychological and emotional well-being, create an environment that is conducive to relaxation and intimacy. Take the time to explore your own desires and needs, as well as those of your partner to find harmony in your relationship. Communicate openly with each other to improve your shared sexual experience. In some cases, individual or couples therapy can help resolve underlying issues.

Intimate comfort and sexual pleasure are deeply interconnected. By considering the five factors discussed in this article, it is possible to significantly improve the sexual experience. The important thing is to adopt the approach that works best for you.

And remember that, as is often the case in life, talking openly about your difficulties can help you find relevant solutions and remove doubts about your perception of your relationships and your intimacy.