Physiological Quieting

Janet A. Hulme, MA, PT

Health Journeys
Audio CD’s for various illnesses and pain, here are a few for women’s health

Pelvic Health and Awareness for Women and Men
By Deborah Bowes

Wonderful videos with a Yoga emphasis made by my friend and colleague, Dustienne Miller PT, MS, WCS, CYT for 1) Relieving Pelvic Pain and 2) Optimizing Bladder Control

Healing Pelvic and Abdominal Pain DVD

Pelvic Floor specialists recommend using water-based vaginal lubes FREE of parabans, glycerin, and other harmful chemicals. Many health food stores (eg, Whole Foods) and local food coops, stock lubes made from all-natural ingredients. They are often pricey.

Tips

1. Always do a spot check on the inside of your wrist or elbow prior to using a new lube, especially if you are sensitive. Then do a spot check in the vestibule. If after 24 hours all is OK, then try it with your dilator, sex toy, or partner.
   
   
2. If using latex condoms check packaging to ensure compatibility of lube with latex.
   
   
3. If using silicone products (dilator or toy) don’t use silicone lubricant unless the package specifically says it’s OK to do so.
   
   
4. Women with severe vestibular pain/irritation should speak with their doctor or PT or NP about products and always do a test patch first. We generally advise avoiding glycerin and petroleum-based products. Stick with water-based.
   
   
5. Women prone to yeast infections should avoid lubes with glycerin.
   
   
6. Women trying to conceive should speak with their doctor about lubrication. There are products to avoid (for eg, avoid lube with spermicide. Some studies have shown that water and saliva can potentially make it hard for sperm to swim…) Do find lubes with the right pH and free of harmful chemicals.

Products

• Raw Organic Coconut Oil:
  Many women (and men) enjoy using Coconut Oil; it is solid, but liquefies as it warms up in your hands. It’s food grade and gentle and rinses out easily. Some people find it doesn’t have the staying power of say, silicone.
  
  
• Slippery Stuff:
  Many pelvic floor PT’s use this product. Here’s a link to purchase, and you can read some of the customer reviews, quite favorable.
  
  
• Blossom Organics Lubricant:
  Click here to purchase and read about its ingredients.
  
  
• Aloe Cadabra
  
  
• Silicone-based lubricants:
  Many people describe the long-lasting effect offered by silicone lubes. This is because silicone is NOT water-based, so it isn’t absorbed by the body’s tissue. These lubes have good staying power, but you must not use them with silicone dilators or silicone toys as the 2 silicones can break down and the toy can become sticky. Silicone should not be considered “certified latex-safe,” so be sure to check the labeling if using latex condoms.
  
  
• Petroleum (oil)-based lubricants:
  Generally not good with latex condoms.
  
  
• KY and Astroglide:
  These are 2 lubes that have been around forever, and many people use them. Both brands have different products with different sets of ingredients. Please read ingredient labels carefully and make an informed decision about what is right for you.