This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Ky Tanella. Find them on Instagram at @ky.tanella. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
DISCLAIMER: I will be discussing mature topics so this article is for an 18+ audience only!
Women’s sexual wellness has been a taboo topic in the past. As a result, a lot of women and people with uteruses grew up with many questions that were left unanswered. Thankfully, in the modern age, information about women’s sexual wellness products and health in general is much more readily available and studied! If you’re overwhelmed by the seemingly endless onslaught of information – and are having trouble deciphering the truth – then I’m going to take you through a brief guide to women’s sexual wellness. I also want to emphasize that this article includes helpful information for trans women and menstruating people, and this is not limited to a cis perspective.
If you’d like to see even more information on birth control and blood clots, please read our article!
Helpful Accounts/Websites
I’m just going to list a bunch that have helped me in my education journey, and staying up to take on things like women’s rights and access to healthcare.
Underwear
Cute, organic, affordable, and healthy underwear can be hard to find – especially if you’re someone who’s plus-sized!
Gynecologists recommend breathable, organic materials like 100% cotton for your underwear, as materials like nylon, spandex, and polyester aren’t as breathable, and can cause BV and yeast infections. They’re also usually not as sustainable as cotton materials! However, if cotton is a little harder to find, nylon would be the second-best option.
TomboyX is a fantastic, budget-friendly, woman-owned, and gender-inclusive brand – they even have underwear for tucking and packing, and comfortable boxer shorts for all shapes and sizes! I’ll always highly recommend them! Pact is both an ethical and sustainable brand, and they have fantastic, organic options with cute or sexy patterns. For more affordable packs, Aerie usually has great bundle deals (just watch out for that material) and Target usually has cute bulk options!
Pads & Tampons
If you’re like me, you started panicking when that study came out, revealing that several brands of pads and tampons contained toxic metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium. And rightfully so! If you’re not up to date on the UC Berkeley study, be sure to read up on it!! Unfortunately, specific brands weren’t named in this study, as it’s usually a problem with their manufacturer, so it’s best to research which brands have responded to this issue. From my research, I know that LOLA’s tampons and pads are generally safe as they are actively tested!
As this study develops, it’s important to keep an eye out for other harmful ingredients, such as plastic (i.e. polyester and polypropylene), and avoid products with fragrances, colorants, and bleach. If you’re thinking about switching to more environmentally friendly options, I recommend reusable period underwear or Diva Cups. Just look out for the Thinx brand of reusable underwear, as a lawsuit was filed against them for similar toxic ingredients. Diva cups in particular are easy to use and have much less of an impact on the environment, and making the switch is sometimes scary, but I highly recommend it!
Healthcare Resources
Women’s healthcare has been de-stigmatized in many ways, so plenty of resources are readily available! I’m going to go through a rapid-fire list for your needs:
- Dame – At-Home Gonorrhea & Chlamydia, HIV, and Syphilis Testing
- PrEP – Information for HIV Exposure and Protection
- PlanCPills – Abortion care in every state
- Planned Parenthood – Gender-affirming care, STD testing, birth control, abortion care, pre and post-natal care, screenings, etc.
- Healthline – Relief and Management for PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoria Disorder)
- WinxHealth – UTI/yeast testing/treatment, pregnancy tests, morning after pills
- Tommys.org – Information for trans and non-binary parents
Condoms & Lube
When having heterosexual sex, some brands of condoms can upset a vagina’s pH balance, and just be overall uncomfortable! However, there are plenty of brands out there that are women-owned that make better condoms for vagina-havers. Once again, LOLA is a great, natural brand of condom for vaginas that are a little more sensitive to pH changes, but they can be a little pricey. SKYN Original Condoms are gynecologist-recommended due to their lack of latex, and are quite budget-friendly. Cake is a very size and texture-inclusive brand, and completely fragrance-free. Lastly, FC2 is a great option for vagina havers if your partner doesn’t have a penis, or if an internal condom is just more comfortable!
When it comes to vagina-safe lubrication, water, and silicone-based lubricants are often recommended by gynecologists – they do not break down latex condoms (which can occur with mineral or petroleum-based lubes), they don’t disrupt pH balance or cause inflammation. There are also CBD-based, oil-based, and aloe-based lubricants, which have pros and cons. When shopping for lubricants, they should be free from parabens, glycerin, and petroleum.
Maude has great options for both aloe/water-based and silicone-based lubricants, and they’re a sustainable brand! Dame also has a fantastic aloe-based lube and is all about spreading awareness around women’s sexual health, I recommend checking them out!
Water-based lubricant is best if you’re unfamiliar with lube, but it tends to dry out and can be annoying to reapply. Underlube is great for vulva health and is relatively cheap! Silicone is generally longer-lasting, but use it cautiously – Slippery Stuff is a fantastic budget-friendly option.
Libido
Libido can be a tricky thing! Birth control, SSRIs, stress, poor mental health, hormone fluctuations, genes, and lots of factors can cause a decreased libido. Libido varies from person to person, but sometimes, we might need a little help to get there. In addition to natural remedies, some people explore female libido medication to help address underlying hormonal imbalances or other medical causes of low sex drive. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine what’s best for your body and needs.
A natural aphrodisiac (that’s not oysters or chocolate) that I love is an herb called Damiana. The herb can come in leaf, capsule, or liquid form – it was an absolute game changer for me and my peers. I recommend starting with a teaspoon and steeping it in a mug of hot water, to make tea! Damiana also has a euphoric and relaxing effect, but be sure not to consume it in large amounts, as it could be harmful to your liver and possibly cause hallucinations. Pregnant or nursing people also should not consume this herb.
Ashwagandha is also a good herb for stress relief and improving libido but can cause drowsiness and relaxation. Horny Goat Weed – as funny as the name sounds – is also great for increasing libido, and can be especially helpful for certain symptoms of menopause. Olly’s “Lovin Libido” supplement has some great reviews, and can even be found at your local Target.
Just a disclaimer. If you’re in a relationship and are struggling with your libido, just know that your partner should be absolutely open to communication about this, should support you, and not put pressure on you to change. Have open conversations about foreplay, about any pain with sex, and engage in activities that can lower your stress and improve your mood. Loss of libido and a lower sex drive are totally normal and do not have to be “fixed.”
“Toys”
Just another brief disclaimer that I’ll be talking about mature content, especially in the next two sections! If I haven’t scared you off, let’s get into it!
With erotic products, it can be difficult to pick what’s best for you! Buying online can be tricky because you don’t know if you’ll like it, and buying in-person can be a little nerve-wracking and embarrassing! Here are a few great options for both!
Bellesa is a woman-founded company that has two great options! BBOutlet is a new site that sells affordable toys for men, women, and couples, there are plenty of options to choose from and they’re having some great sales. BBoutique has more expensive and luxurious toys for everyone and has even been endorsed by celebrities such as Julia Fox, Ilana Glazer, and Saweetie. These products are normally rechargeable and water-proof.
Once again, shout out to Dame, another woman-founded brand! They have luxury and budget-friendly options and lots of other sexual wellness products. They even have great information on their toys, such as volume level, intensity, and sensation – most of these products are also waterproof and rechargeable. Maude is a sustainable brand, budget-friendly, and they create chic toys that are great quality and super discreet. Lastly, Je Joue is also very budget-friendly, and they even worked with gynecologists to develop products that are chic and effective!
If shopping around, plusOne is a great, very affordable brand that has such high-quality silicone products for the price. Most of their products can be found at Target, Walmart, Amazon, and Spencer’s.
Safe Erotica for Women
Just another brief disclaimer that I’ll be talking about mature content!
In the 2020s, there’s been a lot of conversation and creation around feminine safe spaces for erotica – whether it be websites or books. Luckily, female-owned brands have been popping up everywhere, creating safe spaces for not only cis women, but for trans people and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Naturally, I’d have to shout out Quinn. Listen, I’ve been a Quinn follower since Day One, and they’ve absolutely changed the game when it comes to audio erotica – and it’s a super affordable subscription at only $5.99/mo. Their owners and creators emphasize a safe, sacred space for feminine pleasure! A majority of their creators are men who create content for women, but there are tons of WLW creators, and plenty of MLM content (men loving men, not a pyramid scheme). They even have celebrity guests that do narrative-based erotica – so far they’ve featured Andrew Scott, Victoria Pedretti, Lucien Laviscount, Kate Moennig, and more!
Another audio-erotica safe space would be Dipsea, which focuses specifically on audiobooks that have… a little bit of spice to them. They also have an affordable annual subscription at only $69.99/yr, and are a great site if you’re looking to ease your way into audio erotica.
Check out this link and this link if you’re looking for some more female-friendly spicy sites to browse, as I’ve only touched on audio erotica!
While sexual wellness can be overwhelming, I hope my recommendations can at least steer you in the right direction. If you’re feeling behind, don’t worry, it takes people years to figure out stuff like this, so why not start now? Put yourself first, you deserve it!
What did you think of these women’s sexual wellness products and recommendations? Let us know in the comments below, and share your favorite products!
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