Menopause doesn’t mean the end of pleasure. It simply means bodies change. With the right support, intimacy can remain vibrant, connected, and deeply satisfying.
This month, Oprah Daily published a feature by Isabel Burton titled The Best Products for Great Sex During (and After!) Menopause. The article brings together expert voices and curated product picks to show how tools like lubricants, moisturizers, and sex toys can help midlife and beyond feel just as joyful, connected, and erotic.
We’re honored that Upstate Mary’s Friday Arousal Oil with CBD was included among these essential tools. Here’s what the experts had to say — and how to keep pleasure on the table at every stage of life.
Why Menopause Changes Sex — and Why That’s Normal
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As estrogen and testosterone decline, blood flow to vulvar and vaginal tissue decreases. That means less natural lubrication, diminished sensitivity, and changes in sensation.
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The vaginal lining becomes thinner, collagen and elasticity decrease, and tissues become drier and more easily irritated.
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Vaginal pH shifts, which can lead to increased fragility or susceptibility to discomfort or infections.
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Psychological factors matter too: hormone changes can influence mood and desire, and midlife stress, shifting priorities, or relationship dynamics can redirect focus away from pleasure.
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Many experts point out the idea of responsive desire is relevant in midlife — meaning arousal sometimes comes after physical and emotional connection begins, rather than spontaneously before.
Bottom line: None of this means great sex is over. It may just require more intention, communication, and the support of body-friendly tools.
What Experts Recommend: Tools That Support Pleasure, Comfort + Connection
Burton’s article presents 12 “best of” product picks, guided by feedback from sex and menopause experts such as Dr. Shannon Chavez, Dr. Suzanne Gilberg, Dr. Lauren Fogel Mersy, and Dr. Lori Davis.
Here’s a curated highlight of types — and where our Friday Arousal Oil fits in.
Silicone Lubricants
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Why they help: Provide long-lasting glide, especially when dryness causes friction.
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Featured pick: Uberlube — minimalist silicone formula praised for being gentle on sensitive tissues.
Water-Based Lubricants
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Why they help: Closest to natural moisture, gentle, and easy to reapply.
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Featured pick: Good Clean Love Almost Naked — free from glycerin, parabens, and propylene glycol with a pH-balanced formula.
Hybrid Lubricants
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Why they help: Combine the silkiness of silicone with the lighter feel of water-based formulas.
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Featured pick: Sliquid Silk Hybrid — long-lasting and free of common irritants.
Oil-Based Arousal Lubricants
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Why they help: Offer rich slip and deep hydration while enhancing arousal.
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Featured pick: Upstate Mary Friday Arousal Oil with CBD — featured as the “Best Lube for Natural CBD Benefits.” Experts praise it as plant-based, pH-balanced, and gentle on sensitive tissue.
Vaginal Moisturizers + Suppositories
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Why they help: Support ongoing tissue hydration beyond moment-to-moment lubrication.
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Featured picks:
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Revaree — hyaluronic acid-based hydration, clinically compared to topical estrogen.
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Solv Wellness Via — non-staining daily moisturizer with skin-loving ingredients.
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Hello Again Daily Vaginal Suppositories — botanicals for soothing, hormone-free support.
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Vibrators + Stimulators
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Why they help: Boost blood flow, reawaken sensitivity, and adapt sensation as bodies change.
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Featured picks: Magic Wand, Dame Arc, Womanizer Premium 2, Satisfyer Pro 2, Maude Band, We-Vibe Melt 2, and more.
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Expert note: Vibrators are not only about pleasure — they may also support vaginal tissue health, increase orgasm frequency, and enhance confidence.
What Makes Friday Stand Out in That Lineup
We’re especially honored that Friday Arousal Oil was selected for Oprah Daily as a “best” product. Here’s how it aligns with what these experts call for:
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Gentle, plant-based, and pH-balanced: Ideal for delicate or shifting tissue.
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Hydrating + gliding action: Supports both comfort and pleasure.
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Botanical and full-spectrum CBD infusion: Adds a layer of soothing (inflammation + pain relief) and potentially arousal-supportive properties (while acknowledging research is still emerging on full spectrum CBD benefits).
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Note: Because it’s oil-based, Friday is not compatible with latex condoms.
The inclusion of Friday Arousal Oil in the article shows that a well-formulated oil can be part of a midlife intimacy toolkit — not an indulgence, but a wellness-forward choice aligned with tissue health, comfort, and sensual pleasure.
How to Use This Guide + Make It Work for You
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Know your current needs. Some days you want longer glide (lubricants), others you need deeper hydration (moisturizers), and sometimes your body craves gentle stimulation (vibrators).
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Pair wisely. Use a moisturizer for daily maintenance and a lubricant during intimacy. Try our Hunter suppositories with CBD for daily moisture support + our Friday Arousal Oil with CBD or Slide Intimacy Oil with CBD for intimacy.
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Experiment gently with toys. Sensitivity changes with menopause, so start low, slow, and stay attuned to how your body responds.
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Talk to your doctor. Vaginal hormone therapies (e.g. estradiol, DHEA) can amplify the benefit of these tools — but always under guidance.
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Normalize pleasure. Experts in the article stress that pleasure, connection, and intimacy are not luxuries in midlife — they’re critical to quality of life.
Takeaway: Intimacy Is Wellness at Every Age
Menopause is not the end of great sex. It’s simply a new chapter — one that can be navigated with knowledge, compassion, and the right tools.
As Dr. Shannon Chavez reminds us, “These aren’t indulgences, they’re wellness essentials that help maintain tissue integrity, enhance pleasure, and support a healthy sexual life in midlife and beyond.”
We’re proud that our Friday Arousal Oil with CBD is part of this conversation — and part of your toolkit for rediscovering pleasure, comfort, and connection.
✅ Shop Friday Arousal Oil with CBD
✅ Read the full Oprah Daily article
ABOUT UPSTATE MARY
At Upstate Mary, we celebrate the power of plants and the beauty of self-care. Our Farm to Bedroom™ collection is designed to support pleasure and connection at every stage of life, whether you’re navigating menopause, postpartum, or simply exploring your sensuality. Formulated with organic botanicals and full-spectrum CBD, our intimacy oils and suppositories nurture your body without disrupting its natural balance.
Rediscover your pleasure with Upstate Mary.