Vaginal Lube: How To Apply It And Everything You Need To Know
Lube serves many purposes for women — it’s not only great for sex, masturbation, and toys, but it can also relieve dryness, discomfort, and irritation too.

There are a few different ways to apply a personal lubricant to a female but each method is dependent upon its intended use.
(Editor’s note: for our purposes, the term “female” and “woman” encompasses both binary and non-binary women.)
Here’s how to apply lube vaginally, and what you should know:
- You can apply personal lubricant directly onto the genitals or with your fingers from the container
- Lube can also be applied with an applicator before sex or at the beginning of the day to help support vaginal flora and ease discomfort caused by dryness
- Before you put any product on your genitals, it is a good idea to patch test it on another area of the skin, such as your inner elbow, to watch for an allergic reaction or signs of sensitivity
- Additionally, always read the label to make sure the lubricant contains safe ingredients you are not allergic to or sensitive to
Applying almost any type of personal lubricant to a vagina is easy — and we’ll tell you exactly how to do it whether you’re using it on yourself or a partner.

Medically Reviewed By: Susan Milstein, PhD, Human Sexuality