Recommended lubrication products for postpartum recovery

Currently, for the problem of dryness in postpartum women, the choice with the highest degree of consensus in clinical and postpartum rehabilitation fields and the lowest probability of being pitted is The ingredients do not contain preservatives, nonoxynol ether, or fragrance. It is a medical-grade water-based lubricant with a pH value that matches the weak acidity of the vagina (3.8-4.5). , there is no so-called "one-size-fits-all", all choices must be based on your own mucosal status and usage scenarios.

Last week, I accompanied Ayou, who had just given birth to a baby for half a year, to go for a gynecological check-up. Last time she secretly bought a strawberry-flavored lubricant from a certain Internet celebrity. After using it, she felt itchy and burning for a whole week. Her pants were covered with tofu-like secretions. The doctor read her examination report and directly warned her: her estrogen level was low after childbirth, and her vaginal mucosa was thinner and brittle than window paper. She dared to stuff industrial gel with fragrances and flavor enhancers into it, which was just looking for trouble.

Many people have no idea that postpartum lubrication needs are completely different from ordinary scenarios, and they cannot just make do with whatever is available on the supermarket shelves. I have asked 3 gynecologists and 2 senior postpartum rehabilitation practitioners, plus the real feedback from seven or eight postpartum mothers around me. The preferences of different groups vary quite a lot. There is no absolute right or wrong, only whether it is suitable or not.

Speaking of this, some people may ask, I have heard a rehabilitation practitioner recommend silicon-based ones before, wouldn’t they work? Of course not. The two postpartum rehabilitation doctors I asked recommended the silicone-based model to mothers with particularly severe dryness. After all, silicone-based lubrication lasts a long time. You can squeeze the tube for half an hour without having to reapply it midway. It does not contain water and will not be diluted even if you sweat. For those who have not recovered their hormones for more than half a year after giving birth and have strong pain during intercourse, the experience is indeed much better than the water-based one. But the objections are also clear. Two of the three gynecologists mentioned it. The texture of silicone-based products is thick and heavy, and the vaginal flora after childbirth is unstable. If it is not rinsed off and left in underwear or vaginal folds, it will easily increase the risk of inflammation, and it will corrode silicone sex toys. If you have the habit of using them with toys, you can just pass the silicone-based ones.

There are also many mothers who are afraid of chemical ingredients and prefer organic and natural products, such as those extracted from aloe vera and those based on plants. A friend of mine who does aromatherapy has been using a certain imported aloe vera for lubrication after giving birth. She said that the skin feels moisturizing and the smell is natural. She has been using it for more than half a year without any problems. But here’s a reminder. The gynecologist I asked clearly stated that plant-derived ingredients are more likely to cause allergies, especially many natural products that are claimed to be “edible”. They add a lot of sweeteners and fruity additives for taste, which can easily disrupt the vaginal acid-base balance. Another friend followed the trend and bought an organic model from an internet celebrity. After using it twice, she developed fungal vaginitis. It took her two months to get rid of it. For mothers with sensitive skin, it is best to test the sensitivity on the inside of the wrist first, and do not put it directly on the body.

To be honest, the biggest problem is finding replacements randomly. My cousin used baby oil as a convenient lubrication, but the oil blocked the glands of the vaginal opening. It became swollen and she couldn't sit still for two days. She finally went to the hospital to wash it. Also, don’t apply oils and greases such as olive oil, body lotion, and shower gel to your private parts. They have high molecular weight and are difficult to wash off. They will also damage the mucosal barrier and make them dry out the more you use them.

As for the brands that everyone is concerned about, you really don’t need to pay hundreds of yuan for imported IQ tax. As long as it is a water-based model of a second-class medical device, the ingredient list only contains purified water, propylene glycol, and hyaluronic acid. There are no unnecessary additions. You can also use products worth dozens of yuan. Several friends of mine have used Bang's mechanical brand models, and the feedback is similar. There is no need to spend more money for the so-called "postpartum repair" and "vaginal shrinkage" gimmicks - to put it bluntly, lubrication is just a thing to relieve dryness, and it does not have those fancy effects. The more you brag about it, the more likely it will be an IQ tax.

In fact, I have met so many postpartum mothers, and the biggest feeling is that you really don’t have to be too harsh on yourself. Some people are back to the same condition as before pregnancy after three months of pregnancy, and some people still feel dry and dry a year after the operation. These are all normal things. Just choose a comfortable lubricant, and you don’t have to feel any psychological burden. You don’t have to buy blindly based on what others say is better. If you use it yourself, there will be no tingling or itching. When the doctor said there is no problem with the bacterial flora during the review, that is the best one for you. If you still feel severe pain even after using lubrication, don’t force yourself to do it, go get a hormone check. It may be that the estrogen level is too low, and lubrication alone cannot solve the fundamental problem.