When it comes to intimacy, many people find themselves full of questions but unsure where to turn for real, practical guidance. Searching online or asking friends is common, though qualified experts often offer surprisingly straightforward solutions that most couples overlook. Dr. Mark Perera, a sexual health physician, points to one particular thing that pairs frequently ignore yet can make a dramatic difference. According to him, this small addition has the power to significantly elevate what happens between partners behind closed doors.
Dr. Perera’s answer is refreshingly simple: lubricant. Speaking to LADbible Stories, he stated that “lubricant is everyone’s best friend” and that it makes intimacy “much more comfortable.” He went on to explain that it allows “everything to glide more easily, so you don’t have to worry about any discomfort.” Sex can sometimes feel messy or awkward, and lubricant removes the element of friction that often gets in the way. As Dr. Perera put it, “It will change your life.”
Beyond lubricant, experts stress that the time couples invest before the main event matters enormously. Sex and relationship counselor Gemma Nice highlights a striking biological difference between men and women when it comes to reaching orgasm. On average, men tend to climax within around five to seven minutes, while women typically require between 20 and 30 minutes to get there. This gap alone explains why so many couples end up feeling mismatched in the bedroom, and it points directly to where things can be improved.
Nice advises that couples aim for roughly 15 to 20 minutes of foreplay to allow arousal to build to its full potential. This kind of “warm-up” period helps stimulate natural lubrication and brings the body into a deeper state of readiness. As Nice explained, “The longer you engage in foreplay, the more aroused and relaxed the body will be.” She added that blood flow to the genitals increases during this time, activating more than 10,000 nerve endings and ultimately leading to greater satisfaction for both partners. Taking the time to properly warm up is not just nice to have but a meaningful factor in overall intimacy.
Together, these two pieces of advice from Dr. Perera and Gemma Nice form a surprisingly accessible roadmap for couples looking to improve their connection. Neither tip requires a major lifestyle overhaul or expensive products. Lubricant is widely available in pharmacies and comes in various formulations, including water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based options, each suited to different situations. The key takeaway from both experts is that small, intentional changes can produce results that feel far larger than expected.
Lubricant has been used throughout human history, with ancient Egyptians reportedly using animal fats and plant oils for this purpose. Modern personal lubricants became commercially available in the early 20th century, with K-Y Jelly being one of the first widely distributed products, originally developed for medical use in the 1900s. Today, the global personal lubricant market is worth billions of dollars and continues to grow as awareness around sexual wellness expands. Gynecologists and urologists frequently recommend lubricant not only for comfort but also as a practical solution for individuals experiencing dryness due to hormonal changes, stress, or certain medications.
Foreplay, on the other hand, is not just a cultural preference but a physiological necessity for many people. Research consistently shows that women require sustained arousal for the body to produce adequate natural lubrication and for the vaginal canal to fully expand, a process called vaginal tenting. The clitoris, often described as having over 10,000 nerve endings, is widely considered the primary source of sexual pleasure for most women, yet it is frequently underestimated or rushed. Sex therapists across the board recommend open communication between partners about needs and timing as a cornerstone of a satisfying intimate relationship.
If you have thoughts on what experts like Dr. Mark Perera and Gemma Nice recommend, feel free to share them in the comments.
