Gwyneth Paltrow is selling $200 sex pillows. Is it worth it

If you want to add fun to your love life on Valentine’s Day, Goop has a suggestion – but it will get you back $195.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle and wellness company featured “The Prim” in its Valentine’s Day gift guide this year, claiming that taboo pillows will make your intimate moments more comfortable and satisfying.

But do you really need to spend a lot of money to have sex better? The post talked to three experts to get a summary of the sex pillow and whether Goop’s advice is really worth it.

What is a sexual pillow?

The sex pillow is a solid, usually tilted mat designed to make these intimate moments more enjoyable.

“Regular pillows are not designed to maintain shape or support during intercourse,” Dr. Heather Jeffcoat, owner of Femina Physical Therapy in Los Angeles, author Painless Sex: A Guide to Self-Healing for Sex Life. “While you can definitely make some stuff temporary, like stacking three or four pillows to create a modified ramp, it may or may not provide the support you need.”

Unlike your regular pillows, most sexual pillows are made of high-density foam that keeps the shape under their weight. They come in many different shapes and sizes, but the most popular types are wedges and ramps.

“Wedge-shaped pillows are great for lifting hips and thighs to relieve discomfort,” said Dr. Debra Laino, a board-certified clinical sexologist and relationship therapist. “The ramp-shaped pillows still have wedge-shaped lifts, but are usually larger to help back support.”

Leno notes that some sex pillows even have a built-in space to accommodate sex toys to provide hands-free or solo. These are often called sexual mounts.

What are the benefits of using sexual pillows?

Experts agree: Sex pillows can make everything different, especially if you are one in three women who report experiencing pain during sex.

“These pillows help make the position easier or more comfortable, and can help you penetrate deeply by relaxing the waist, hips and pelvic floor muscles,” Jeffcoat said.

They also do miracles for those who deal with mobility challenges, harm or age-related physical changes. They can even help pregnant women find positions that are both safe and satisfying.

“Good sex is all about angles,” said Dr. Megan Fleming, a New York City-based psychologist and sexual therapist. “For some people, sex pillows can be provided by The support and angle needed to bring back a uncomfortable position.”

Jeffcoat says sex pillows often come with recommended positions, but she recommends consulting with a pelvic health physiotherapist about the most effective use method to use them when you have specific needs.

“For example, if you need to keep your lower back bent or plugged during sex or intimacy to relieve lower back discomfort, you can use a large wedge with the pelvis on a thicker section that makes your knees bent and bent and bent and bent The feet on the feet or the ground or pull toward the chest,” Jeffcott said.

Meanwhile, “ramps will better limit hip flexion, which is important if you are hit by hip joints, labia torn on hip, hip arthritis, or more recently hip surgery.”

Is “Prim” really worth the $195 price tag?

“While the ‘prim’ is a good pillow, there are just as few others,” Leno said. However, “If you want to splurge, the ‘prim’ is a good choice. It’s as firm as most people, wedge-shaped , and has a removable lid so you can wash it.”

Fleming said Prim’s cautious design is another selling point. “If you’re New Yorker and you’re full of space, you might like the idea of ​​putting it on your bed all the time,” she said.

The design of the pillow also adds convenience. “You go home and feel more spontaneous than planning a porn adventure and evacuate anything you might want to include,” Fleming added.

If you haven’t sold all on sex pillows, Fleming recommends starting with a more budget-friendly option, for example, an inflatable wedge from Love Honey for $49.99.

“Try trying to try it at a lower price and then if you feel like ‘oh my god, I really like it’, then it would make sense if you want to invest in a higher quality version.”

How do I take care of my sexual pillow?

Let’s face it: sex can become messy. Fortunately, most sexual pillows are machine washable or come with a removable cover for easy cleaning.

Experts recommend washing the pillow after each use, especially if you share it with multiple partners to avoid the spread of buildup of bacteria and infection.

Fleming also advises that people who work in water sports or use products like massage oils to take additional precautions to extend the life of their pillows and keep their bedding clean.

“Some people can get the head of the sheets and pillows, so throwing down a waterproof blanket is a great way to relax,” she said. “It’s important because ultimately relaxation is the foundation of awakening.”

When your pillow is not in use, Laino recommends storing it in a clean, dry place on the floor and away from anything that may contain bacteria, such as a wet bathroom. “It’s also a good idea to keep the pillow away from children and animals, because it’s not a toy or a regular pillow,” she said.

As for storage wedges and ramp pillows, Jeffcoat recommends putting them on the longest or thickest side. “Don’t place the wedge pillow on the wedge sheet as this will deform over time,” she said.

Are there any health benefits for sex?

Research shows that the average Americans have sex about once a week—it turns out that the benefits they reap are more than just pleasure.

“Healthy sex is very important for happiness,” Leno said. “Many of the hormones released during sex are important to the body and the brain, such as dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins – all feel good.”

According to JeffCoat, physical intimacy has also been shown to reduce stress, improve cardiovascular health, strengthen the immune system and even combat cognitive decline.

Physical intimacy can also play a key role in bonds when it comes to romantic relationships.

“When your sex life goes well, it’s a small part of the relationship. If not, it can cause trouble and cover up the entire relationship,” Fleming said.

“It’s not about humiliating people who aren’t very sexual or have no sex. For some, it’s a lifestyle choice, but for others, sex is important to stay connected and feel happy with your partner. Components.”