If you struggle with discomfort during sex, you’re likely wondering what you can do to increase pleasure and avoid unnecessary pain. But what options do you have to reduce discomfort and irritation in the bedroom? Especially if you’ve been sexually active for a long time, you may struggle with feelings of frustration and confusion. Should you try natural lube? New positions? Something else?

If you’re looking for more information about reducing discomfort during sexual activity, you’re in the right place. Sex is meant to be a pleasurable experience for everyone involved, and we’re big fans of helping everyone find solutions that work for their lifestyles and sexual preferences. If you want to learn more, please continue reading for our top suggestions and breakdowns about how they might help.

Natural lube is one of our top recommendations if you’re struggling with discomfort in the bedroom. Especially if you’re taking medication that reduces moisture down there, natural lube may be a necessary addition to your sexual activity. Natural lube may also be helpful if your body doesn’t naturally produce as much lubrication as you would like on its own.

Additionally, there are some natural lube options that are combined with the powers of CBD. CBD oil can be a fantastic addition to your sex life, especially if you experience significant discomfort or pain that isn’t eased by other lubricants. This is because CBD is known for its relaxation properties. You may even find that natural lube with CBD helps you feel more aroused, as it can draw more blood toward areas typically involved in sexual activity. Frequently, this can involve the vaginal walls, penis, anus, nipples, cheeks, and mouth.

If you typically rush into sexual activity with your partners or on your own, you may want to take your time whenever you decide to get started. Rushing to penetration can make it difficult to enjoy yourself completely, mainly because the body may take a little time to catch up with your state of mind.

Taking your time and focusing on foreplay not only allows your body’s natural lubrication to build up and fall into stride with your mental activity, but it also encourages your muscles to relax. Relaxing and added lubrication can make penetrative sexual activity far more comfortable, especially if you’re used to rushing and skipping typical foreplay.

If you don’t already thoroughly communicate with your sexual partners before you start participating in sexual activity, we’re big advocates for having regular discussions. Some people may feel embarrassed, but communicating and being honest with your partners is essential for everyone involved to have a positive and pleasurable experience. Communicating may also reduce discomfort, allowing your muscles to relax, building trust in your partnerships, and increasing natural lubrication.

We strongly recommend telling your partner whenever you feel uncomfortable, what sexual activities you like and would be interested in trying, and what boundaries you have. This is an excellent place to start, but you can also add other topics for discussion as you progress. Taking the time to communicate with partners also creates an excellent opportunity to try new things or switch to an activity or position that you find more pleasurable.

If you like using toys in the bedroom, we recommend taking it slow in this arena as well. Specifically, don’t immediately start using large toys for penetration. Whether you’re the receiving partner or not, starting with a beginner-level or smaller-size toy will likely make reception feel better and enjoyable.

This is also a great way to practice communication skills and explore sexual pleasure together. You might learn your favorite sizes for penetrative toys, when specific sizes are acceptable, and whether you want to set a goal for building up to a certain size. Don’t be afraid to play with sensation, as well.

We also recommend trying a few different sex positions during play, as certain alignments of genitalia and bodies carry more risk for pain and discomfort than others. For instance, doggy style allows for deeper penetration than missionary sex, meaning a toy or penis is far more likely to collide with a sphincter or cervix.

Try playing with different positions to see which ones offer the most pleasure and introduce the least discomfort or irritation. You may even discover new pleasurable sensations you didn’t know were possible previously. This is also an excellent opportunity for you and your partners to be more explorative and creative during sexual activity.

If you want to reduce discomfort and boost pleasure in sexual activity, you’re certainly not alone. Many people experience irritation during sex, and there are many potential solutions that you can try before throwing in the towel. However, if none of our suggestions work, discussing your concerns with a sex-positive medical professional may not hurt. We hope you found our tips helpful and wish you luck in your sexual journey moving forward!