We’re proud to have been part of such a great publication, which you can view as a PDF by clicking HERE.

Well that certainly answers the question, but since Amie seems anxious about it, we’d love to offer some thoughts and suggestions on the matter:

Menopause is indeed an inevitable change in a woman’s body, most popularly marked by the cessation of menstruation (as another contributor said, “…who would want to stop menopause? I mean your periods will become a thing of the past”). “The Great Change” typically comes in two stages, and characteristics of menopause can include irregular periods (before they stop completely), hot flashes, and sleep disturbances. Because your body will have stopped releasing eggs, production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone decreases, and one of the effects of that is vaginal dryness.

Like any other time in your life, keeping your body healthy will be so important! A healthy diet, exercise, and drinking plenty of water will help, as will being mindful of what’s in the other products you’re using. Keeping the vagina moist can be simply a comfort issue if you’re not sexually active at that time, but especially if you are, having a lubricant that actually heals and nourishes your most delicate skin and doesn’t add harmful chemicals to your body is a MUST.

Of course, we recommend something organic…perhaps with a light lavender scent?

Alex at VulvarVestibulitisRelief.com has put together a list of her “rock stars” of moisturization and lubrication, with attention to ingredients, cost, and pain relief or skin nourishing benefits. Aloe Cadabra is on the list, as is Vitamin E oil! We know the healing and soothing powers of aloe and the anti-aging properties of Vitamin E, so it sounds like Aloe Cadabra enriched with Vitamin E must be a winner!

Sex with Jaiya returns! And we are going to have a whole bunch of fun today talking about sexual lubricants with my guests. There is a misconception that if women aren’t lubricating something must be wrong with them. I want to break the myth and tell you ways that lube can make sex more fun, more pleasurable and even better for your sexual health and wellness. If you’re interested in LUBE and being entertained tune in for a great episode- it will be slippery and WET!

September is Menopause Awareness Month, and today’s show also kicks off a larger campaign by the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) to “help women turn this time in their lives into a celebration instead of something they dread”, according to a press release put out by VoiceAmerica, which hosts the “Sex With Jaiya” program.

Women over 50 are having some of the best sex of their lives! There are a lot of physical, emotional and spiritual changes that can occur during menopause and if you know how to take advantage of them you can have peak pleasurable moments as you journey through this period change.

Aloe Cadabra is “As Natural as Nature.” This product clearly fits with my work of over 40 years of specializing in trauma, and especially Sexual Trauma, which can clearly manifest in difficulties in relationships and sexual expression. (Sexual expression is one of my most favorite topics… besides golf.) I wanted to be able to help survivors to explore their sexuality, learn about sexual feelings, and FEEL them with the help of a product that is natural, and gentle, and free of harmful chemicals. There is an episode of a TV show, a young women describes an orgasm as “God waking up inside me.” To unwind sexual trauma is to celebrate the body, mind and spirit as a whole, what I call the many body voices of the body….hence my book called Body Voices.

When trauma is unwound, sexual expression may also be a celebration of a healthy, trusting, and loving relationship. The FIRST step in healing is AWARENESS, developing an awareness of what is being spoken and thought as well as awareness of body responses, sensations and feelings. The sexual journey is a rich one, demanding that we wholly explore, experience, and look at the old messages, patterns, and barriers to fullness. Many trauma survivors do not know their bodies – what their bodies look like, how they function, and where certain body parts are located. Then of course, there are the negative messages, shame and guilt.

I celebrate this natural product of 97% aloe… putting something so natural, clean, and that feels so good, silky, and smooth (not slimy) in such a sacred connection with the body, mind, and soul. The product is balanced and therefore helps to balance the user.

I know that my many years of experience (and silver hair) in the field of psychology, sexuality, and working with sexual trauma manifestations with clients and therapists nationally and internationally, would be valuable in helping to find a sexual lubricant product that looks good, feels good, and IS GOOD! Celebrate this product being available to help with the discovery of Self…the Self that is unwinding the trauma, to learn what feels good by experimenting with touching the body, and experiencing sensations….old feelings that may reoccur and remember the trauma, and new ones that empower. Experiment with a vibrator. Aloe Cadabra won’t harm sex toys. Go slowly…notice the feelings and where the body begins to awaken to sensations. Notice the thoughts. As a sensation begins to intensify, relax into it, and “ride the wave.” You are in charge of YOU now! This is YOUR body that belongs to YOU. Try out different scents: Natural Aloe, French Lavender, and Tahitian Vanilla.

Check out some of the earlier blog posts for some more ideas!

Without blinking an eye she said, “do you know what a big deal that is? Sometimes, my husband and I (also a business owner) don’t have time for all the warm ups. This stuff would be awesome. We can get right down to things with a “quickie lube,” enjoy a great experience with each other and then move on to our hectic schedules, physically, mentally and emotionally fulfilled. We wouldn’t want to do that every time, but boy would it be great for those high stress times.”

We say bravo! Enjoy a quickie lube with yourself or someone you care about. Enhance it with a great all natural lube you can feel good about, like Aloe Cadabra. And enjoy all life has to offer. Even when there isn’t a lot of time to enjoy it!

A healthy vagina, which is made up of many layers of cells, stays lubricated with clear fluid, which keeps the vagina healthy, elastic and noticeable when you are aroused. How much lubrication occurs is determined and affected by different factors such as: low estrogen, menopause, stress, fatigue, chemo therapy, medications, allergies, pregnancy, childbirth, drying and chemically based soaps, and of course emotional stress.

Dryness can cause irritation, itching and burning, avoidance of sexual intercourse, and lack of libido, thinning and drying of the vaginal wall. Emotional stress can be a huge factor in dryness. Many women believe and have heard that sexual drive/libido is supposed to go away during menopause. Literature and studies have shown, however, that sex drive is not automatically assumed to be a factor in menopause.

Some 80% of women report symptoms of vaginal dryness during perimenopause and menopause. Other studies indicate that 95% of women report some occasional vaginal dryness.

OK…those are some facts. Now let’s deal with some solutions and create healthy ways to have a relationship between the body, and sexual experiences. What can YOU do?

1. Drink plenty of water (not soda) to ensure that the body is well hydrated. Balance the diet. Add some nutritional supplements if needed.

2. Be careful about using harsh chemicals, soaps, douches and other products containing allergens, dyes and fragrances.

3. Exercise to increase the “chi” or chi energy and breath moving through the body.

4. Stimulate your sexual organs. Lubrication may take a bit longer, but it is still there. Spend time self pleasuring. With a partner, slow down, take your time.

5. Use some personal lubricant that is natural, and will help to restore your own vaginal moisture. Aloe Cadabra is a magical gel that is 95% organic aloe.

6. Affirm you! You may be getting older, but certainly sexual activity can be joyous and exciting. Keep the juices flowing.

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CLICK HERE to read more from our multi-part exploration of vaginal dryness that discusses the causes, opportunities for enhancement, and ways to get your juices flowing led by Carolyn Braddock, a renowned educator, coach and wellness Professional.