Do Arousal Gels Really Work?
Call it undercover reporting: GH asked couples to try two popular arousal gels (products that increase blood flow to the genitals, promising to make the area more sensitive and enhance orgasm). Women also tested two general moisturizers. Here are the field notes from the couples on the products that heat things up and combat dryness.
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Zestra Essential Arousal Oils
Price: $9 for pack of three
The Promise: Makes sex more satisfying
Test Couple 1:
JOANIE: "At first it was tingly, and then it made my whole vaginal area warm. It was nice, like a car motor revving up. Once it kicked in, it heightened the sensation a lot."
MIKE: "It excited me to see her so excited."
Test Couple 2:
MARIE: "It made the area quite a bit more sensitive. The feeling made it easier to get into the experience."
TONY: "I liked it, too. It wasn't too slippery, and it gave me a slight tingly feeling. I helped her apply it, and that was fun, too."
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K-Y Intense Arousal Gel for Her
Price: $28/.34 oz.
The Promise: Intensifies female satisfaction
Test Couple 1:
CHARLOTTE: "I've noticed dwindling sensation in the past few years, and this made the whole area more sensitive and increased the intensity of my orgasms. One downside: It felt cool on my skin, like menthol."
DAVID: "I noticed a mildly cool sensation, but not much else. Emotionally, it was a little weird because I was worried she didn't like it. So, if anything, it detracted slightly from my experience."
Test Couple 2:
STACEY: "We're totally open to products, so we were hopeful that it would add a little zing. When I applied it, I felt a slight warming, tingling sensation, but soon it felt like too much. It wasn't uncomfortable, just distracting."
KEVIN: "I put it on my penis, and I liked the tingling sensation. I'd use it again, but I'm not sure Stacey would want to."
Related: 7 Ways to Jump-Start Your Sex Drive
Replens
Price: $17 for pack of eight applicators
The Promise: Long-lasting vaginal moisturizer
Tester 1:
STACIA, 38: "Too goopy when I used a full applicator. I'm dry only a few days a month, right after my period, so I would use a smaller application for those days."
Tester 2:
GRACE, 49: "It helped somewhat with my moderate dryness, but I had white, clumpy discharge and a little stinging and itching for the two weeks I used it - not worth it for the minor amount of help it provided."
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Emerita Feminine Personal Moisturizer
Price: $16/4 oz.
The Promise: Find balance and comfort naturally
Tester 1:
TORRIE, 49: "This felt like too much moisture for me during the course of the day, and I didn't notice much difference when we had sex."
Tester 2:
MAGGIE, 50: "I liked that it seemed to dissolve without any leftover residue. Also, it did help to lubricate the vaginal area during sex, though I didn't feel any more sensation than normal."
What are your favorite arousal gels and moisturizers? Let us know in the comments!
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