Lubrication is a fact of life. In any relationship where working parts are at play, whether it is an engine, a dinner party or an evening of love, everything works better when it is "well oiled." Lubrication allows for glide, ease and effectiveness. When lubrication is working well, it is invisible, a thought we don't have. When it isn't working, we know it immediately, although not always by its name. An engine without oil locks up in minutes, awkward silence and uncomfortable gazing down into the lap is immediately recognizable.

My work making personal lubricants never seemed like the answer to a national health crisis until recently. I was inspired to start Good Clean Love to solve a personal problem—I needed a solution for my own intimacy needs. The burning and itching that followed the application of the most common lube brands during intimacy didn't really leave me longing for more. Developing products that made sexual health healthier began as a personal quest more than a business idea. At the time I had no idea that so many women shared the symptoms of vaginal dryness and painful intimacy.

Lacking lubrication in intimacy is remarkably common, and happens for a myriad of reasons. Menopause, childbearing, nursing and even common medications like antihistamines and antidepressants often cause vaginal dryness and contribute to pain during sex and the associated low libido that develops. The physiological symptom of dryness turns into a waning sex drive because natural lubrication is a primary signal of arousal. Early sexual memories often include moments of vaginal wetness or erections seemingly unbidden. Those memories are stored deep in the body and triggering them can be as easy as finding the right lubrication.

The competitive lubricant market is saturated with choices, but when you look beyond the packaging and brand hype to the ingredient panel, it quickly becomes clear that still over 95 percent of OTC and adult lubricants are made with petrochemical ingredients including propylene glycol, a primary derivative used in such products as anti-freeze and brake fluid. It is also used in polyethylene glycol, in laxatives and oven cleaners and largely preserved with methyl- and propyl-parabens, which have been shortlisted as potential carcinogens and are not allowed in the EU.

When I first began making lubricants and learning about the petrochemical ingredients that were my competition and were contributing to my painful sex, I believed that my burning and itchy reactions were due to an allergic response that exacerbated the other issues I was struggling with including vaginal dryness or pain with sex. Since then new research conducted by biophysicists, who were commissioned by NIH to create a buffer gel for the prevention of HIV, began analyzing the current petrochemical based lubricant market. They were shocked by what they learned.

The highly concentrated petrochemical lubricants that dominate the market are damaging the genital and rectal tissue they intended to protect. The problem is a biophysics issue, not an allergic sensitivity. The problem is that one of osmolality, in which the cells of the human body are designed to balance what is interior and exterior. This is also described as tonicity, or salt balance. When lubricant products are applied to human skin tissue that are hyperosmolar, they pull all of the moisture out of the cells, resulting in the sloughing off of the protective epithelium of the vaginal wall, which causes the burning and compromises the natural immune function in the vagina. Richard Cone, one of the biophysicists from Johns Hopkins wrote, "Virtually all hyperosmolar lubricants need to be reformulated. Normally the mucosal lining of the vagina is a good barrier to infection all by itself, but when that barrier gets compromised, all bets are off."

De-stabilizing the natural protective vaginal ecology has other serious consequences as well; a single use of hyperosmolar lubricants makes women up to three times more likely to contract Bacterial Vaginosis compared with women using nothing at all. This is a troubling because the incidence of BV is staggering. Depending on ethnicity, between 29 and 51 percent1 of all women have BV and worse still 84 percent don't know that they have it. Yet for as silent as this condition can be in its symptoms, the impact it has on susceptibility to other more dangerous STD's and HIV is even more alarming. Women with BV are 60 percent more likely to contract other sexually transmitted illnesses including HIV. And although researchers aren't clear about the mechanism of HIV transmission, women with BV are three times more likely to transmit the disease to their male partner.²

Personal lubricants may be the last frontier of health care products to experience it, but there is a revolution afoot and there are many brands of organic and all natural products that are entering the market to replace the dangerously toxic effects of bad chemistry. Take care of the most sensitive tissue in your body by reading labels and listening to your body's adverse reactions. Good sex isn't about feeling the burn; it is about feeling the warmth of someone you love. Choose wisely and realize that the body can teach the mind, and arousal and sexual enhancement may be as close as the bottle on your nightstand.

References:

1. http://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/stats.htm
2. http://www.aidsmap.com/page/1879356/

Cynthia had a most embarrassing problem. She just turned 40 years old and suddenly discovered that big changes were happening to her body. Once pleasurable sex with her partner was now causing pain and irritation. She was also getting more frequent urinary tract infections.

Occasionally she would notice some vaginal discharge. Her doctor prescribed antibiotics and recommended a commercial lubricant. But the irritation persisted and so did the vaginal discharge. Needless to say, she was at a loss for what to do.

Cynthia situation is by no means unique. There is one women's health concern that, although rarely spoken about, is an all too common problem affecting women of all ages. The problem we are talking about is called vaginal dryness. Vaginal lubrication is created by a thin layer of moisturizing mucus, which normally coats the vaginal walls. However, many issues can alter the normal production of moisture such as the natural aging process, declining estrogen levels, hysterectomies, adrenal exhaustion, emotional stress, and excessive consumption of coffee, alcohol, and sugar. Also, lack of lubrication can be caused by a variety of medications, which include steroid/cortisone drugs, cancer treatments, tamoxifen, aromatase-inhibitors, antihistamines, antidepressants, as well as ulcer and high blood pressure medications.

Women often endure this problem in silence. The facts show that this is more common a condition than one would think. As many as 14 million women over the age of 18 have reported vaginal dryness. More than half of all women over the age 40 suffer from vaginal dryness at some time in their lives. And, two-thirds of women over 60 list vaginal dryness as one of the top two sexual health problems along with lack of libido.

This issue is more than just experiencing some discomfort. The fact of the matter is that without adequate lubrication sexual intercourse can become very painful. Vaginal dryness is often accompanied by thinning of the vaginal tissue. This can result in lesions or tears of the vaginal wall. In addition, drying out the mucus membranes increases the risk of incontinence, bladder infections and urinary tract infections.

Beware of Commercial Lubricants

The first thing a woman will usually reach for to help with vaginal dryness is a personal lubricant. But beware! Not all lubricants are created equal. A surprising number, even those reported to be more natural, include synthetic or toxic compounds that could cause unpleasant side-effects or even pose health risks. In fact, some contain chemical ingredients that were originally designed for use in oven cleaners or on automobiles!

The delicate vaginal tissue allows for easy access of chemicals into the body. Therefore, it's essential to know the differences between lubricants that are truly natural and healthy and those that contain toxic chemicals.

You may be surprised to learn how many toxic chemicals are found in lubricants. Some of the more common ones include petroleum-based ingredients, such as petroleum jelly, parabens, henoxyethanol, propylene glycol, phlorhexidine, glycerin and silicone-based ingredients. Imagine absorbing all these chemicals through the delicate vaginal tissue!

There is a long list of side effects from exposure to these chemicals. Some can alter the healthy pH of the vagina, while others cause irritation, burning, and an overgrowth of Candida or susceptibility to vaginal infections.

One More Thing to Consider for Vaginal Health

The toxic ingredients of commercial lubricants are shown to cause the presence of several unhealthy vaginal conditions. Candida albicans is one such problem. This abnormal fungal overgrowth is associated with many symptoms including itching, burning, pain and often a "white clumpy" discharge.

Another health problem is an abnormal overgrowth of atypical vaginal bacteria. This condition is called bacterial vaginosis. (BT) Symptoms include a thin, white vaginal discharge, vaginal odor, pain and/or itching, and burning when urinating. BT makes women more susceptible to sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes simplex virus or chlamydia.

Some personal lubricants damage the cells lining the vagina increasing the risk of STDs such as Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The presence of HPV is a risk factor for cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer.

Why Silver Biotics Silver Gel is A Must for Feminine Hygiene.

Navigating the world of personal lubricants is certainly more challenging than one would think! Wouldn't it be great if there were a totally safe, non-toxic personal lubricant that could also effectively relieve vaginal dryness, support the healing of vaginal tissue as well as eliminate vaginal yeast, bacteria, and HPV? Well, in fact, there is one unique personal lubricant that has been proven to accomplish all of the key issues necessary for women's vaginal health!

Silver Biotics Silver Gel is still readily available even though it is now known as Armor Gel(new packaging, same great formula). It is also in an FDA approved prescription strength version available through your doctor called Silvrstat. It is not your ordinary personal lubricant. It provides a triple action benefit for women's feminine hygiene needs.

The patented Silver Biotics Silver Gel, with SilverSol Technology® from American Biotech Labs is a unique and highly effective form of silver. Throughout the ages, silver has been renown for its anti-microbial effects. SilverSol Nano-Silver Technology is the most effective form of silver ever created. It far surpasses either colloidal or ionic forms of silver. SilverSol is available as both a liquid and as a gel.

Silver Biotics Silver Gel has been scientifically proven to quickly kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and mold. The good news is that it will not cause antibiotic resistance or alteration of healthy vaginal microflora. In addition to its lubricating and anti-microbial effects, it is able to quickly reduce inflammation, itching, pain and burning while at the same time accelerating tissue repair and healing.

Studies have demonstrated that in just 10 minutes, it successfully killed Candida! This is really great news since at least 75 percent of women are affected by vaginal yeast at least once in their lifetime.^1,2

Silver Biotics Silver Gel is water-soluble gel made with SilverSol at 24 ppm, de-ionized water, and food grade gelling additives. It is colorless, odorless, non-irritating and totally safe.

How safe? Silver Biotics Silver Gel has an impressive health record. With more than five million sold, no adverse effects have ever been reported. It has been available as an over-the-counter solution for many skin care issues as well as an effective barrier protection.

There are many reports of women who found relief from yeast infections using the Silver Gel. One grateful woman eliminated her recurring yeast infections, which used to plague her with outbreaks every 3–4 months for many years. Since using the gel, she hasn't had even one incident and that was nine years ago!

Using the Silver Biotics Silver Gel as a lubricant will also benefit both a woman and her partner. Yeast infections and STDs are often transferred back and forth between sex partners. The use of the gel helps to eliminate this transference.

The broad-spectrum nature of the gel also helps to prevent urinary tract infections that are caused by vaginal bacteria. The Silver Gel kills the bacteria, thus, stopping the migration into the urinary tract.

But that's not all. Since it effectively kills all harmful bacteria and viruses, using the gel vaginally can eliminate the myriad of bacteria and viruses associated with sexually transmitted diseases, including HPV.

One gynecologist reported that she cleared 200–HPV cases with a vaginal application of 10 ml. of Silver Biotics Silver Gel twice a day. The infections totally resolved within two weeks for all the patients!

Other health practitioner experiences are also impressive. Naturopathic Doctor, Sally Byrd considers Silver Gel essential to help her women patients. "The Gel is so essential for everyday wellness and has many sensible applications. Many of my patients use the gel for vaginal dryness and soreness that may occur with aging, medications, and surgery. Others love adding a quarter teaspoon of the gel to a natural suppository for any type of Candida/yeast overgrowth or STDs. The applications are unlimited and the gel is safe and affordable for women of all ages!"

How To Use Silver Biotics Silver Gel For Vaginal Health

Silver Biotics Silver Gel is great news for women. It is really a one-stop shop for women's most intimate needs. It is a fantastic, non-toxic water-soluble gel providing great lubrication. But it goes way beyond being just a great personal lubricant.

It is the ultimate solution for women's feminine hygiene needs. Even when a lubricant is not required, it can be used prophylactically to ensure vaginal health. The patented SilverSol Technology makes this Silver Gel an effective wound healer for any kind of vaginal inflammation, irritation or lesions. It also provides a proven knockout punch for any kind of harmful vaginal infection—bacterial, viral or fungal!

No wonder Silver Biotics Silver Gel is what women reach for when looking after their feminine hygiene. It is the proven solution for staying healthy and getting healthy. Silver Biotics Silver Gel truly is a woman's best friend!

References:

1. Analytical Research Laboratory, USP Rapid Challenge Test, June 2002, Linden, UT.
2. Antimicrobial Efficacy of ASAP-AGX-32 Against Vaginal Pathogens when used as a Suppository, Laboratory of Dr. Ron W. Leavitt Brigham Young University, August 2004.

Dr. Sherrill Sellman, author of Hormone Heresy, tells us how women can protect, heal, and restore vaginal health.

Beware of Commercial Lubricants
The first thing a woman will usually reach for to help with vaginal dryness is a personal lubricant. But beware! Not all lubricants are created equal. A surprising number, even those reported to be more natural, include synthetic or toxic compounds that could cause unpleasant side-effects or even pose health risks. In fact, some contain chemical ingredients that were originally designed for use in oven cleaners or on automobiles! The delicate vaginal tissue allows for easy access of chemicals into the body. Therefore, it's essential to know the differences between lubricants that are truly natural and healthy and those that contain toxic chemicals. You may be surprised to learn how many toxic chemicals are found in lubricants. Some of the more common ones include petroleum-based ingredients, such as petroleum jelly, parabens, henoxyethanol, propylene glycol, phlorhexidine, glycerin and silicone-based ingredients. Imagine absorbing all these chemicals through the delicate vaginal tissue! There is a long list of side effects from exposure to these chemicals. Some can alter the healthy pH of the vagina, while others cause irritation, burning, and an overgrowth of Candida or susceptibility to vaginal infections..

Click Here to read the full article on vaginal health from Dr. Sellman

I highly recommend you take some time and visit the Skin Deep database provided by EWG and check the ingredients in the products you are using on and in your body. You will probably be shocked to learn how many of them are dangerous and cancer causing. One might not be a big deal but when you include environmental chemicals like flame retardants in mattresses, furniture, and clothing and other dangerous chemicals in your skin care and makeup products you are exposed to on a daily basis...they really do add up.

https://goo.gl/MdEtru

Something is wrong with America’s children. They are sick – allergic, asthmatic, anxious, autoimmune, autistic, hyperactive, distracted and learning disabled. Thirty-two million American children – a full 43% of them – suffer from at least one of 20 chronic illnesses not including obesity. Across the board, once rare pediatric disorders from autism and ADD to Type 1 diabetes and Tourette’s syndrome are soaring, though few studies pool the data. Compared to their parents, children today are four times more likely to have a chronic illness. And while their grandparents might never have swallowed a pill as children, the current generation of kids is a pharmaceutical sales rep’s dream come true: More than one million American children under five years old takes a psychiatric drug. More than 8.3 million kids under 17 have consumed psychiatric drugs, and in any given month one in four is taking at least one prescription drug for something.

Fast food, bad genes, too much TV, video games, pesticides, plastics – name the environmental factor and it has been implicated in the surge of sickness, although none adequately explains the scale or scope of the epidemic. There is one exposure, however, that has evaded the search, despite that children have received it by direct injection in steadily accumulating doses far beyond anything past generations ever saw: 50 doses of 14 vaccines by age six, 69 doses of 16 pharmaceutical vaccines containing powerfully immune-altering ingredients by age 18.

We're assured vaccines are "safe and effective" even though public health officials acknowledge they sometimes have serious side-effects including death and despite the troubling fact that no long-term study of their effects on overall health has ever been conducted. Remarkably, not a single published study has ever compared vaccinated kids to unvaccinated kids to see who is healthier years after the shots. Until now.