Pleasure isn’t frivolous.
If you told someone that you had scheduled time for meditation, meal prep, therapy, and an afternoon hike, they’d probably call that excellent self-care.
Tell them you scheduled time for pleasure, though, and suddenly people get… weird.
That’s exactly why National Orgasm Day, observed annually on July 31, deserves more attention.
We’ve partnered with O-award winner Foria for National Orgasm Day:
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Description:
Bottom Line: Silky, nourishing, and incredibly comfortable, we recommend this CBD sex oil for anyone looking to make intimacy feel smoother in every sense. [Read Our Review]
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Description:
Bottom Line: We love this CBD oil for anyone who wants a little extra spark; it's designed to enhance arousal and sensation so pleasure feels easier to find. [Full Review + Video]
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Description:
Bottom Line: Sometimes a really great all-purpose lubricant is exactly what you need, and this clean, body-friendly formula delivers long-lasting glide. [Full Review + Video]
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Description:
Bottom Line: If dryness is getting in the way, these CBD-infused melts provide deep hydration and soothing comfort before intimacy or anytime you need relief. [Read Our Review]
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O-Ward Winning
Description:
Bottom Line: Silky, nourishing, and incredibly comfortable, we recommend this CBD sex oil for anyone looking to make intimacy feel smoother in every sense. [Read Our Review]
Natural Aphrodisiacs
Description:
Bottom Line: We love this CBD oil for anyone who wants a little extra spark; it's designed to enhance arousal and sensation so pleasure feels easier to find. [Full Review + Video]
All Purpose Lube
Description:
Bottom Line: Sometimes a really great all-purpose lubricant is exactly what you need, and this clean, body-friendly formula delivers long-lasting glide. [Full Review + Video]
Intimacy Prep
Description:
Bottom Line: If dryness is getting in the way, these CBD-infused melts provide deep hydration and soothing comfort before intimacy or anytime you need relief. [Read Our Review]
At Women’s Health Interactive, we’ve always believed that women’s health conversations shouldn’t stop at symptoms and diagnoses; sexual wellness deserves a seat at the table alongside sleep, nutrition, exercise, and mental health, because these things influence one another.
Things To Know
- About 10% to 15% of women report never having experienced an orgasm, while many others experience difficulty reaching orgasm at different points in life. That makes this incredibly common, not a personal failure. One metanalysis found that female sexual dysfunction (FSD) has an overall prevalence of 39%; under that umbrella, prevalence ranged from 24% to 29% in these specific areas: desire and lubrication (29% each), arousal (28%), satisfaction (27%), orgasm (26%) and pain (24%).
- Hormonal changes, menopause, medications, stress, anxiety, and vaginal dryness can all make orgasm more difficult, but that doesn’t mean anything is “wrong” with you.
- Sexual pleasure may help reduce stress, encourage relaxation, improve sleep quality, and strengthen emotional connection with a partner.
- While no product can promise an orgasm, the right products can make intimacy more comfortable, enjoyable, and accessible. One standout option is Foria Intimacy Sex Oil, which was recognized in Oprah Daily’s 2026 Menopause O-Wards for supporting intimacy and sexual wellness during menopause.
Pleasure is personal because bodies are different. What works beautifully for one person may do absolutely nothing for someone else, and that’s normal (and okay)!
The good news is that science has taught us a lot about why pleasure matters, why it sometimes becomes more difficult, and what can help.
Why Pleasure Is Good For Your Health
No, orgasms aren’t a miracle cure.
But they also aren’t (entirely) “just for fun.”
Researchers have found several ways sexual pleasure may positively influence overall well-being.
- Stress Reduction: During sexual arousal and orgasm, the body releases hormones, including oxytocin and endorphins, while levels of stress hormones may temporarily decrease.
- Better Relaxation & Sleep: The hormonal shifts that occur after orgasm, including oxytocin and prolactin, may promote relaxation and support falling asleep more easily.
- Pelvic Floor Engagement: The rhythmic muscle contractions that occur during orgasm engage the pelvic floor muscles. While orgasms aren’t a replacement for pelvic floor therapy or exercises like Kegels, healthy pelvic floor function plays an important role in sexual comfort and bladder health.
- Intimacy & Bonding: For couples, sexual intimacy isn’t just physical. The release of oxytocin, sometimes nicknamed the “bonding hormone,” may strengthen feelings of trust, closeness, and emotional connection between partners.
- Body Awareness: Learning what feels pleasurable encourages people to become more familiar with their bodies. That awareness often translates into better communication with partners and healthcare providers alike.
- Emotional Well-being: Pleasure can also be joyful simply because…it’s pleasurable. Taking time to reconnect with your body can help improve confidence, body image, and emotional well-being, especially during life stages when your body feels unfamiliar.
Why It Can Become Harder To Orgasm
Here’s something we wish more people heard: Bodies change.
Not because you’ve done something wrong. Not because you’ve “lost it.”
Just because bodies change.
Many factors can make arousal or orgasm more difficult over time, including:
- Perimenopause
- Menopause
- Declining estrogen levels
- Vaginal dryness
- Pain during sex
- Certain medications (including some antidepressants)
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Relationship changes
- Chronic medical conditions
For women navigating menopause, lower estrogen levels can contribute to thinner vaginal tissues, decreased natural lubrication, and discomfort during intimacy.
Those physical changes can make pleasure feel frustrating instead of enjoyable.
The encouraging news?
Most of these challenges have solutions, from communication and pelvic floor therapy to lubricants or moisturizers, lifestyle changes, vibrators, and products specifically designed to support intimacy.
Your body isn’t broken.
It may simply need something different than it did ten years ago.
Building A Better Pleasure Routine
No, this doesn’t require candles, silk sheets, or a playlist called Sensual Jazz Vol. 3.
(Unless that’s your thing.)
Creating a healthier relationship with pleasure often starts with removing pressure rather than adding expectations.
A few ways to improve sexual well-being include:
- Communicate openly. Tell your partner what feels good, and what doesn’t.
- Take orgasm off the pedestal. Enjoying intimacy without making orgasm the goal often reduces anxiety and makes pleasure easier to experience.
- Use lubrication. Lubricants can dramatically improve comfort, particularly during perimenopause and menopause, but no matter your age (or the activity), they can help improve the experience.
- Slow down. Longer foreplay gives your body more time to become fully aroused, and edging can further extend that. Pleasure isn’t a race, so don’t treat it like one.
- Practice mindfulness. Staying present instead of mentally running through tomorrow’s grocery list or meeting agenda at work can make a surprising difference.
- Support your pelvic floor health. Pelvic floor physical therapists can help address pain, muscle tension, or weakness affecting intimacy if those are struggles for you.
- Stay curious. Bodies evolve throughout life. Exploring what feels good now is part of the process.
Most importantly, remember that pleasure isn’t a performance.
There’s no finish line to cross.
Products That Can Help Pleasure & Orgasm
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Description:
Bottom Line: Silky, nourishing, and incredibly comfortable, we recommend this CBD sex oil for anyone looking to make intimacy feel smoother in every sense. [Read Our Review]
|
Description:
Bottom Line: We love this CBD oil for anyone who wants a little extra spark; it's designed to enhance arousal and sensation so pleasure feels easier to find. [Full Review + Video]
|
Description:
Bottom Line: Sometimes a really great all-purpose lubricant is exactly what you need, and this clean, body-friendly formula delivers long-lasting glide. [Full Review + Video]
|
Description:
Bottom Line: If dryness is getting in the way, these CBD-infused melts provide deep hydration and soothing comfort before intimacy or anytime you need relief. [Read Our Review]
|
O-Ward Winning
Description:
Bottom Line: Silky, nourishing, and incredibly comfortable, we recommend this CBD sex oil for anyone looking to make intimacy feel smoother in every sense. [Read Our Review]
Natural Aphrodisiacs
Description:
Bottom Line: We love this CBD oil for anyone who wants a little extra spark; it's designed to enhance arousal and sensation so pleasure feels easier to find. [Full Review + Video]
All Purpose Lube
Description:
Bottom Line: Sometimes a really great all-purpose lubricant is exactly what you need, and this clean, body-friendly formula delivers long-lasting glide. [Full Review + Video]
Intimacy Prep
Description:
Bottom Line: If dryness is getting in the way, these CBD-infused melts provide deep hydration and soothing comfort before intimacy or anytime you need relief. [Read Our Review]
No product can “guarantee” an orgasm, and anyone claiming otherwise is selling something other than science.
What the right products can do is make intimacy more comfortable, reduce friction, increase arousal, support vaginal health, and remove some of the barriers that interfere with pleasure.
Here are a few standout options.
Foria Intimacy Sex Oil
O-Ward Winning
Foria Intimacy Sex Oil With CBD
5.0
Pros:
- Broad Spectrum CBD (400 mg THC-Free)
- 100% Plant-Based & Organic
- Smooth Comfort & Glide
- Warms Gently On Contact
- Safe For Sensitive Skin
Cons:
- Not Compatible With Latex Condoms Or Toys
- May Stain Fabrics
Bottom Line:
Winner of the 2026 Oprah O-Ward, Foria's Sex Oil is the kind of bedside staple you'll keep reaching for. With silky organic coconut oil and broad-spectrum CBD, it delivers long-lasting glide, helps reduce friction, and makes every touch feel smoother, more comfortable, and a little more effortless.
$28.80 @ Foria –> CODE: FORIA-WHI
One of Foria’s newest additions, Intimacy Sex Oil was recognized in Oprah Daily’s 2026 Menopause O-Wards for supporting intimacy and sexual wellness during menopause.
Designed to nourish intimate skin while providing lasting glide, the oil helps reduce friction and increase comfort during intimacy—particularly for women experiencing hormonal dryness. Comfortable intimacy makes it easier to stay present and enjoy the experience instead of focusing on discomfort.
Foria Awaken
Natural Aphrodisiacs & CBD
Foria Awaken Arousal Oil With CBD
5.0
CBD:
30 mg (Lab Verified)
Effects Begin:
5–30 Minutes
Effect Intensity:
Mild–Moderate (Warming)
Pros:
- Takes Effect Within 5–30 Minutes
- Broad-Spectrum CBD
- Organic Herbal Aphrodisiacs
- Easy-To-Use Pump Bottle
- Free From Glycerin, Parabens, Alcohol, And Petroleum-Based Ingredients
Cons:
- Not Compatible With Latex/Polyisoprene Condoms, Diaphragms, Or Toys
- Coconut Oil Is A Potential Tree-Nut Allergen
Bottom Line:
Foria’s Awaken Arousal Oil combines broad-spectrum CBD with warming, organic botanicals like kava, cinnamon, and ginger to heighten sensation, increase blood flow, and make everything feel a little more alive. It’s a lush, silky formula that not only enhances pleasure but also helps ease tension and dryness for a more comfortable, responsive, and deeply connected sexual experience.
$38.40 @ Foria –> CODE: FORIA-WHI
For people looking to enhance arousal rather than simply reduce friction, Foria Awaken combines broad-spectrum CBD with botanical extracts to help increase sensation and encourage blood flow to the vulva.
Many users describe heightened sensitivity and easier arousal, making it a popular option for those navigating hormonal changes or simply wanting a little extra spark.
Satisfyer Pro 2
Air Pulse Stimulation
Satisfyer Pro 2 Next Generation
4.7
Pros:
- Large Clitoral Mouth Accommodates Most Anatomies
- 11 Intensity Settings + Easy To Use
- 100% Waterproof, Slip-Free Finish
- Very Low Price
- Secure Magnetic Cable For Charging
Cons:
- Silicone Head Requires Occasional Replacement
- Not Sexy-Looking
- Can Get Loud On Highest Settings
- Short Battery Life (35-60 Minutes)
- 90 Minute Charge Time
Decibel Level:
44.2 (low); 60.3 (med); 69.5 (high) [Note: 40-50 dB is considered quiet; 60 dB is a normal conversation or air conditioner]
Bottom Line:
The Satisfyer Pro 2 Next Generation is a budget-friendly clit sucker that also happens to be our team’s consensus top pick because of its versatility, ease of use, and its adaptability to satisfy a wide range of body types and position preferences. Although the design of this clit sucker isn’t the sexiest thing imaginable, it is an invaluable (and affordable!) tool if your goal is an earth-shattering orgasm — which it delivers on demand.
$55.99 @ Adam & Eve -> CODE: WHI25
The Satisfyer Pro 2 has earned a loyal following for a reason. Rather than relying on traditional vibration alone, it uses gentle air-pulse (or pressure wave) technology to stimulate the clitoris without direct contact.
Many users find this type of stimulation to be more comfortable, especially if they find direct vibration too intense or overwhelming.
While no toy can guarantee an orgasm, the Satisfyer Pro 2 may help some people explore new types of stimulation, particularly those who have difficulty reaching orgasm through penetration alone.
Foria Intimacy Melts
Intimacy Prep
Foria Intimacy Melts
4.7
Pros:
- 50 mg Broad Spectrum CBD (Per Melt)
- Works With Your Body's Chemistry
- Organic Botanical Ingredients
- Supports Relaxation & Sensitivity
- Small & Discreet
Cons:
- May Crumble When Taking Out Of Packaging
- Oil-Based & Not Compatible With Latex Condoms
Bottom Line:
Foreplay just found its favorite plus-one. These cocoa butter and CBD melts dissolve into a silky glide that helps your body warm up naturally, so comfort, connection, and pleasure can take center stage.
$16.00 @ Foria –> CODE: FORIA-WHI
Dryness doesn’t always show up only during intimacy.
Foria Intimacy Melts are designed as vaginal suppositories that provide deep hydration and soothing comfort using CBD and nourishing plant oils.
They’re particularly popular among women experiencing menopause-related dryness or discomfort and can become part of a regular vaginal wellness routine.
Foria Juicy Pure
All Purpose Lubricant
Foria Juicy Pure Lube
5.0
Pros:
- Light & Natural Texture, No Residue
- Certified 95% Organic Ingredients
- Suitable for Vaginal, Oral and Anal Sex
- Light Vanilla Scent & Flavor
- Compatible With All Sex Toys And Condoms
Cons:
- Some Might Not Like The Scent
- No Pump Dispenser
- Not Waterproof
Osmolality:
150-300 mOsm/kg (Passes WHO Standards)
pH Level:
4.5 to 5.5 (Suitable For Vaginal & Anal Use)
Bottom Line:
Foria’s first water-based personal lubricant hits it out of the park, with a clean design that’s lightweight and silky-smooth. The pH balance is a rare find, being suited for vaginal and anal use, with a mild vanilla scent and flavor also good for oral fun. Gentle on sensitive skin, Juicy Pure leaves no residue behind with a formula that feels like your body's own lubrication.
$16 @ Foria -> CODE: FORIA-WHI
Sometimes the simplest solution is also the most effective.
Foria Juicy Pure is a body-safe, pH-balanced personal lubricant formulated to reduce friction while supporting vaginal comfort.
For many women, adding lubrication alone can significantly improve comfort and make intimacy feel enjoyable again.
Hitachi Magic Wand
Best Traditional Vibrator!
Hitachi Magic Wand
5.0
Pros:
- Extremely Intense Vibrations
- Perfect For Body Massage
- Can Be Used With A Partner
- Available With DC Plug Or Rechargeable
Cons:
- Loud As Hell
- Not Waterproof
Power Rating:
A Teeth-Rattling 10/10
Bottom Line:
The Hitachi Magic Wand is something no masturbation enthusiast should be without. It’s a tried and true favorite, even if it lacks the bells and whistles of modern tech.
$70.49 @ Adam & Eve –> CODE: WHI25
$89.99 @ Lovehoney
As the OG sex toy (I mean… personal massager), the Hitachi Magic Wand has reached cult status for a reason: It’s one of the most recognizable vibrators on the market thanks to its powerful, consistent vibrations and straightforward design.
Because of its intensity, the Magic Wand can be a great option for people who have difficulty reaching orgasm with lower-powered toys, or those who simply enjoy stronger stimulation.
While it’s larger and less discreet than many modern sex toys, its long-standing reputation and effectiveness have made it a classic that’s still recommended by sex educators and sexual wellness experts today.
Take The National Orgasm Day Challenge
Forget trying to have the “best orgasm ever.”
Instead, celebrate National Orgasm Day on July 31 by giving yourself permission to prioritize pleasure in whatever way feels right for you.
Maybe that means:
- Exploring your own body without expectations
- Scheduling uninterrupted time with your partner
- Trying a new personal lubricant or intimacy product
- Reading or listening to something that helps you feel more connected to your sexuality
- Talking honestly with your partner about what you enjoy
- Booking an appointment with a pelvic floor therapist if intimacy has become painful
- Simply deciding that pleasure deserves at least a little space in your life
Because that’s really the point.
National Orgasm Day isn’t about performance or even necessarily about orgasm.
It’s about recognizing that pleasure deserves a place alongside sleep, nutrition, movement, and mental health as part of a healthy, fulfilling life.
And that’s something worth celebrating.
