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in

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Amrutam E-Book - Sexual ● Understanding vaginismus &

Health & Wellness emotional triggers associated
with it
● Pros & cons of using Aloe Vera
Sexual Health & Wellness: The
as a lubricant
Basics ● How Aromatherapy helps you
with sex drive?
● Why does sex hurt?
● Things you didn’t know about
Male Masturbation
● Seven surprising benefits of
female masturbation
● Five ways to look after your
sexual health during COVID-19
lockdown

Mental Health & Sex

● How mental health affects your

sex life?
● Why is it so difficult to talk to
your partner about sex?

The Role of Ayurveda

● Five Ayurvedic herbs to boost

your sex life
● Six Ayurvedic diet
recommendations for a healthy
sexual life

Tips to Improve Your Sexual Health

● Is PCOS affecting your sex life?

● Five ways to make your sex life
more eco-friendly
● The ultimate colour guide to
vaginal discharge

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Sexual Health & Wellness - The
Basics
Why does sex hurt?
Growing up, a lot us are raised with the
idea that sex is supposed to be, or
indeed is, painful. And not only are
these notions deeply ingrained in our
brains but more often than not, they
becomes barriers in our way to have a
healthy and pleasurable sex life.
Sexual intercourse or any kind of sexual
activity for that matter should involve
consent and mutual respect for one
another’s needs. While most of us are
fascinated with the idea of sexual
pleasure, some of us also experience
discomfort or pain while engaging in
sexual activities.
Have you ever wondered what causes
this pain? Or what is it about sex that
causes your body to go in a deep state
of shock or stress?
In the following segment, we provide
you a meaningful view of why does sex
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hurt, the role of Ayurveda, and the herbs
that can help in curbing the pain or
discomfort.
Infections & endometriosis
● Sometimes pain during sex is the
first sign of an infection. Vaginal
yeast and bacterial infections can
reduce lubrication and irritate the
opening of the vagina, and are
usually accompanied by itching
or an unusual discharge or odour.
● Endometriosis is a painful
condition in which tissue from the
lining of the uterus grows into
areas outside of the uterus such
as the vagina or pelvis where it
becomes inflamed.
● When you feel that you may have
a urinary tract infection, but
antibiotics won't make them go
away, the problem is probably
interstitial cystitis. This condition
causes the bladder to become
chronically inflamed, leading to
severe pelvic pain that tends to
worsen during sex.
● Chronic, unexplained pain in the
area around the opening of the
vagina is known as Vulvodynia. It
can be so uncomfortable that
some activities can feel
unbearable, such as sitting for
long periods of time or having
sex.
2

● Another unexplained cause for
pain could be Vaginismus. It is a
condition wherein the vaginal
muscles go in a state of spasm
due to the fear of being hurt. It is
said to be attributed to the
extreme fear of sex, sexual
abuse or trauma or unease with
your partner.
● Males may experience trouble
with the foreskin or the shape of
the penis which may have a bend
or arch because of which
penetration may becomes
painful.
● Apart from the above, other
factors leading to painful
intercourse include lack of
lubrication, fibroids, menopause
or menopausal dryness,
presence of STDs, and
psychological factors like anxiety,
stress, or fear.
The Ayurvedic view
Maitunaasahishnutha is the Sanskrit
term used for describing painful
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intercourse in Ayurveda. According to
Ayurvedic texts, this type of pain is due
to irregularities in the body’s Vata dosha.
Occasionally, it may be due to infections
most likely to be originating from Pitta
irregularities.
Herbs that can help:
● Shatavari: known for its myriad
health benefits, this herb helps
with fertility, and inflammation,
along with boosting sex drive and
energy.
● Ashwagandha: one of the main
ingredients of Amrutam’s
B-Feral Malt & Capsules,
consumption of Ashwagandha
improves sexual satisfaction and
pleasure.
● Amalaki: consumption of Amlaki
improves functioning of the liver,
heart, brain, and lungs
maintaining the body’s optimal
health.
● Mulethi: this potent herb helps
relieve painful menopausal
symptoms and hot flashes that
may be caused due to hormonal
irregularities.
● Vidarikanda: helps manage
inflammation with its antibacterial
and anti-viral properties.
● Tulsi: a healing herb found in
most Indian households, Tulsi
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boosts immunity, helps heal Things you didn’t know about Male
infections and purifies the blood. Masturbation

There’s no “normal” amount of

masturbation. Guys can get hung up on
whether they masturbate too much. But
it’s not how many times you masturbate
in a week (or day) that really matters,
says Logan Levkoff, PhD, a sexologist
and sex educator. It’s how it fits into your
life.

If you masturbate many times a day and

have a healthy, satisfying life, good for
you. But if you masturbate many times a
day and you’re missing work or it is
affecting your daily life, then it is
something to worry about.

Masturbating doesn’t reflect on your

relationship. The most damaging myth
about male masturbation is that it’s a
sign something is wrong in your
relationship. That fact is that most guys
masturbate. They masturbate if they’re
single, in a bad relationship, or in a
great relationship.

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 www.amrutam.co.in

But isn’t masturbation bad for you? No. e. Consult an expert at

It is actually good for you. It will help you Amrutam.Global for any
understand your body and your concerns or queries.
sexuality and what turns you on better.
This may help you communicate with
your partner more easily, enjoy sex
more and avoid sex-related
psychological problems.

It’s tough for men to ask for help but if

you don’t ask when you need it, things
generally only get worse. Especially
during a major pandemic like COVID-19.
So we’re asking.

Here are some things you can do to

help:
a. Create a non-judgmental space
between you and your partner to
talk freely.

b. Create and spread more

awareness. Be open to learning
and trying new things and respect
one another’s needs and desires.

c. Sexual need is our basic need as

an adult and shying away won’t
help you. Speak up in your
closed circles when necessary.

d. Take or suggest Ayurvedic

recipes such as B-Feral Gold
Malt and B-Feral Gold
Capsules to those suffering from
a sexual health disorder or
condition.

5

Seven Surprising Benefits of Female
Masturbation
Like men, women also masturbate. But
female masturbation is continued to be
viewed from a taboo lens. Did you know
that there are actually many benefits of
female masturbation?
Sherry Ross, MD, OB/ GYN and author
says that masturbating helps relieve
anything from cramps to back pain to
headaches to joint aches.
Surprising, isn’t it? Well, be prepared for
truckloads of them! In the following
segment, we share with you some
surprising benefits of female
masturbation you probably didn’t know
about:
● Eases menstrual cramps and
body pain: during periods, the
uterus contracts to shed its lining
that causes cramps.
Masturbating increases the blood
flow and releases endorphins that
help with period cramps and
pains.
● Prevents cervical infections:
the opening of the cervix that
occurs as part of the arousal
process is called “tenting”. This
enables fluid circulation, allowing
cervical fluids full bacteria to be
flushed out preventing infections
and UTIs.
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● Reduces stress: masturbation
helps release hormones and
neurochemicals like serotonin,
oxytocin and dopamine which
give you a feeling of pleasure and
satisfaction.
● Improves sex life: knowing what
gives you pleasure can be
immensely beneficial as you can
communicate better with your
partner in bed.
● Helps with post-menopausal
sex problems: masturbating
stimulates blood flow to the vulva
further stimulating lubrication.
This relieves discomfort from
vaginal atrophy or dryness which
is a common side-effect of
menopause.
● Promotes better sleep: once
you orgasm, your body releases
vasopressin accompanied by
melatonin which promotes
stress-free and better sleep.
● Strengthens the pelvic floor: an
orgasm leads to a contraction of
6

muscles in the pelvic floor which
supports your vagina, uterus,
bladder and bowels.
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Five ways to look after your sexual
health during COVID-19 lockdown
The uncertainty of the pandemic and
lockdowns has affected our sex lives.
While for some of us it was a chance to
cozy up with our partners under one roof
for endless periods, the rest of us
struggled with feelings of tension, stress
and anxiety that adversely impacted our
sexual health and sex lives.
Here are five ways to look after your
sexual health during COVID-19
lockdown:
● Scientific research shows that
masturbation can enhance sexual
health and relieve stress and
anxiety, whether you’re single or
in a relationship.
● Try sexual activity at a distance.
You might want to try flirting over
text, sexting, phone sex, things
like that. It’s important though for
any couples who are sexting,
having phone sex or sending
each other images to make sure
they agree on rules for what is
OK and not OK.
7

● If you are living together with your
partner during lockdown - try to
schedule time for yourself and for
each other. Book a time when
you’ll go to bed early and spend
time with each other as a couple.
Scheduling sex might seem
boring, but it actually does build
anticipation and excitement.
● If you want to avoid pregnancy,
make sure you are using effective
contraception. Even though many
pharmacies now offer emergency
contraception, it is the last thing
you want to worry about during
lockdown.
● Try something new, whether
that’s sex toys, sharing fantasies
or doing something you haven’t
tried for a while. It is always a
positive for the relationship and
now more so than ever.
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Mental Health & Sex
How Mental Health affects your Sex
Life
Have you been worried that your mental
health may be impacting your sex life
and causing sexual problems?
Sometimes we are so fixated on the
physicalities of our bodies that we
overlook the mental issues that may be
affecting our everyday lives including
our sexual health and sex life.
Our mental health is as crucial to our
sexual wellbeing as our physical health.
Following are some things you can do to
keep your mental health in check:
● Keep your stress in check. Stress
can leave you feeling too tired for
sex and other forms of intimacy, It
can also be a significant factor in
your loss of libido, erectial
dysfunction, and overall lower
sense of wellbeing.
● Seek help when your anxiety is
building. Anxiety can lessen your
desire and lower your libido. If
anxiety has been impacting your
mental health for some time, it
can even impact your self-esteem
and crush your confidence. You
can find a therapist here.
8

● Monitor how much time you
spend on social media and other
tech devices, as it can cut into
the quality time with your partner.
Becoming more mindful of your
usage, and focusing on how you
can balance your digital and
physical communication to focus
on the moment can both be good
starting points.
● If you struggle to talk about your
desires and needs, it could be a
sign that working on your
communication with your partner
could help. Creating an open,
honest dialogue is the first step
towards creating a happier
relationship.
● What we eat can not only impact
our moods, but can also have a
significant effect on our libido and
stamina. If you’re looking for
ways you can boost your sex life
www.amrutam.co.in
with the help of nutrition, you
should start taking Nari
Sondarya Malt (for women) or
B-Feral Gold Malt + Capsules
(for men).
● When you feel overwhelmed,
overloaded, and
under-appreciated, especially
when the division of emotional
labour is imbalanced, it can
severely affect your partnership,
build resentment and passive
aggression. Opening up about
your partner’s troubling behaviour
can help you deal with that
pent-up conflict. Ignoring it
doesn’t help.
● Readdressing how you talk about
intimacy can be the first step
towards rekindling your
connection and fixing any
breakdowns in communication.
When that sense of intimacy
becomes imbalanced or feels like
it has decreased, it can lead to a
sense of loneliness, anger,
confusion and loss.
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Why is it so difficult to talk to your

partner about sex?

Having respect for one another’s needs

and desire and focus on mutual
pleasure are key to a healthy and
enjoyable sex life. But with the way most
of us are brought up, sex is viewed as
taboo and something that should only
be done for the purpose of procreation.

And thus, talking about sex can be a

We are also led to believe that sex is
sensitive and awkward topic that raises
something that comes naturally and we
feelings of embarassment, shame or
should be instinctively good at it, which
inadequacy.
just isn’t true. In reality, the key to
becoming a good lover is to have good
As kids, most of us were provided with
communication with your partner.
all the negative messages about sex.
Adults are ashamed of talking about it,
Another important factor to consider is
children just learn from them and then
the vocabulary of sex which can often
carry them as grown ups.
be confusing or misleading if we do not
approach authentic sources. This can
With a lack of sex education, it means
lead to a lot of misinformation.
most of us don’t even have relatively
basic information. To be silent about sex
Fear of rejection, not performing well
keeps us ignorant, and most of what we
enough, body insecurities or anxiety
learn is from the internet or porn which
about disclosing an unusual sexual
misleads us into several body images
desire can stop us from communicating
issues.
freely. Therefore, talking about sex is the
only way to have better sex.
Revealing your sexual wants and
desires to your partner can be scary,
especially when your partner’s reaction
is not positive, which can make you feel
ashamed or humiliated. There is also
the fear of hurting each other’s feelings.

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The Role of Ayurveda dealing with sexual disorders and

boosts sex drive.
Five Ayurvedic Herbs to Boost Your
Sex Life

● Ashwagandha: According to a
study published in the journal of
BioMed Research International,
consuming Ashwagandha
continuously for 8 weeks can
help in improving your libido
significantly.
● Saffron: Saffron has been a tried
● Shilajit: The journal Andrologia
and tested aphrodisiac for ages.
conducted a study which claims
According to a study published in
that Shilajit also helps in
the Avicenna Journal of
increasing testosterone in the
Phytomedicine, Saffron is truly a
male body. This herb is also
godsend for improving various
known to help in improving the
sexual dysfunctions not just in
sperm count and quality.
women but in men as well.

● Shatavari: According to a study

published in the Asian Pacific
Journal of Tropical Disease.
Shatavari is also known to
nourish the ovum so that
childbearing is hassle-free. It can
also act upon other sexual
disorders like inflammation in sex
organs, impotency, premature
ejaculation, etc. It is also one of
the main ingredients of
Amrutam’s Nari Sondarya Malt.

● Gokshura: According to a study

published in an international
journal AYU, infertility affects an
average of 8 to 12% of couples
worldwide. Consuming Gokshura
for 60 days or more can help in

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Six Ayurvedic Diet Recommendations
for a Healthy Sexual Life
● Pure milk everyday: drinking
milk everyday improves energy
levels as it is packed with
nutrients that boost vigour and
immunity.
● Honey: honey contains a mineral
called boron which regulates
hormone levels responsible for
sexual functions. It is also a
symbol of fertility and procreation
in some cultures. Amrutam’s
Madhupanchamrut is enriched
with topical herbs that help you
attain an optimal level of health
and wellness.
● Nourishing nuts like walnuts,
almonds and cashews in
appropriate quantities: nuts are
a rich source of minerals, protein
and energy. Nuts like almonds
and pistas are known to improve
the sperm quality and count.
● Fresh seasonal fruits,
particularly sweet ones: fruits
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are high in natural glucose which
is immensely beneficial for
keeping your energy levels intact
and maintaining good gut health.
● Pumpkin and sunflower seeds
as snacks: seeds are a great
source of magnesium and
contain anti-oxidative,
anti-hypertensive, and
cardio-protective nutrients.
● Amla sharbat for immunity and
fertility: Amla contains allicin
which helps improve blood flow
towards the genitals. It is highly
recommended in Ayurveda as a
youth and longevity mantra.
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Tips to Improve Your Sexual Health
Is PCOS affecting your sex life?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a
hormonal imbalance common among
women of reproductive age. Women
with PCOS may have infrequent or
prolonged menstrual periods or excess
male hormone (androgen) levels. The
ovaries may develop numerous small
collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to
regularly release eggs.
Believe it or not, one study found that
99% of participants reported issues with
sexual desire and/or arousal.
Oftentimes, these feelings go
hand-in-hand with low self-esteem and
poor body-image.
According to a 2011 study conducted in
Sweden, “Women with PCOS reported
decresed satisfaction with theor sex
life.” Classic PCOS side effects include
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excessive body hair and acne that can
impact one's self-image.
Irregular periods are never fun.
Unfortunately, irregular menstruation is a
common side effect of PCOS. High
levels of Androgens (also known as
‘male-type hormones’) and too much
insulin in our bodies can disrupt the
monthly cycle. Some tips to deal with
PCOS are
● Eat plenty of dense leafy greens.
● Avoid carbs as much as possible.
● Consume healthy fat sources like
coconut and olive oil.
● Exercise regularly, but stick to
low-impact workouts like yoga or
pilates.
● Get plenty of quality sleep (this is
one of the most important lifestyle
factors when it comes to
hormones).
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Five Ways to Make Your Sex Life
More Eco-Friendly
Sex is great but you know what’s better
than that? Sex that is eco-friendly and
does not harm the environment! Yes,
you read that right! We may not realise
this but in trying to pleasure ourselves
we end up harming the environment.
Here are five ways to make your sex life
more eco-friendly:
● Buy sustainable condoms. If you
can’t, at least dispose of your
condoms in a responsible way.
● Switch to non-petroleum based
lubricant such as Aloe Vera Gel.
Amrutam’s Aloe Vera Gel is
100% natural and pure and is
optimum for everyday use.
● Skip shower sex. It’s wasteful and
probably not super fun anyway.
● The next time you are looking for
sex toys, opt for ones that are
made of recyclable materials,
come with rechargable batteries,
or are even solar-powered.
● Make sure you use a towel or
wash cloth to clean up after sex,
as tons of “flushable” wipes are
clogging our water systems.
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The Ultimate Colour Guide to Vaginal
Discharge
Did you know that vaginas are one of
the strongest organs in the human
body? Not only vaginas conceive life but
also give birth which itself is a
miraculous thing.
But there’s a lot we are yet to know
about our vaginas especially in terms of
the fluids they release. Here we present
before you the ultimate colour guide to
vaginal discharge:
● Red or brown blood discharge is
normal during your period. Colors
might range from cherry red at
the beginning of your period to
rusty brown. But if you do see red
throughout the month, it could be
a sign of health issues, like an
infection.
Reason: Some of us simply have
irregular periods and spotting and some
of us experience spotting due to birth
control methods hormonal changes.
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● A variety of white shades of
discharge, from eggshell to
cream, can be normal. Unless
your discharge is accompanied
by certain textures or smells,
don’t fret too much.
Reason: White discharge occurs for
many of the same reasons as clear
discharge. It’s simply natural lubrication,
keeping your vaginal tissue healthy and
minimzing friction during sex.
● Very light yellow discharge is
more normal than you think.
Sometimes the color is daffodil
yellow. Other times it’s more of a
greener chartreuse.
Reason: This color is usually a sign of
infection, but if you know you are in the
clear (as in it’s a one-off occurrence),
what you eat may be affecting the
color.Some people report this color
change occurring whenever they take
new vitamins or try certain foods.
● Pink discharge ranging from a
very light blush to the deep pink
of sunset, is often just a sign of
the beginning of your cycle. But
at other times, it can be a sign of
serious health problems.
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Reason: This color is usually a sign of
infection, but if you know you are in the
clear (as in it’s a one-off occurrence),
what you eat may be affecting the color.
Some women may periodically
experience light bleeding after
intercourse, which can result in pink
discharge.
● Clear discharge which can also
be whitish in color is usually
normal. It may have an egg-like
consistency. It’s also the go-to
discharge a healthy body expels
to rebalance itself – because your
vagina is an amazing,
self-cleaning organ.
Reason: Ovulation. Is it about day 14 of
your cycle? You are probably ovulating
and producing cervical mucus.
● Pregnancy can also cause a
change in hormones and
increase how much discharge
you have.
Reason: Sexual arousal. The blood
vessels in your vagina dilate and fluid
passes through them, causing an
increase in clear, watery discharge.
Totally normal.
When white turns to gray, like storm
clouds or exhaust, see your Ayurvedic
doctor at Amrutam.Global. It could be a
sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is
a very common infection in women.
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Understanding Vaginismus & other sexual activities. You may
Emotional Triggers associated with it
Vaginismus is a condition when the
muscles around the vagina tighten
involuntarily with no abnormalities in the
genital organ. This condition prevents
any vaginal penetration. According to
Ayurveda, Vaginismus is considered in
the ‘Yonivayapad’.
Acharya Charaka has written that when
a woman having a predominance of
Pitta (either due to Pitta Prakriti or
consumption of a diet which aggravates
Pitta) withholds her natural urge of
sneezing and erection at the time of
coitus, then the vitiated Pitta along with
Vayu reaches Yoni (reproductive
system) and produces its abnormalities.
The Yoni becomes inflamed and tender
due to which there is pain in the
lumbosacral and groin region.
Complications in vaginismus can lead to
poor self-esteem, stress, depression
and fertility issues. That said,
vaginismus does not generally affect
your ability to get aroused and enjoy
www.amrutam.co.in
experience vaginismus even if you have
previously engaged in and enjoyed
penetrative sex.
Some emotional triggers commonly
associated with Vaginismus are:
● Anxiety about performance or
because of guilt
● Childhood experiences such as
exposure to sexual images
● Past trauma like history of sexual
abuse
● Fear of pain or pregnancy
● Relationship problems like having
an abusive partners or feelings of
vulnerability
Possible treatment options for
vaginismus can include psychosexual
therapies, relaxation techniques, pelvic
floor exercises, sensate focus and using
vaginal trainers for the body to get used
to penetrative objects.
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Pros & Cons of using Aloe Vera as a

Lubricant

Who would have wondered that a plant

revered for its healing properties can
also be used as a wonderful lubricant
during sexual intercourse?! You read
that right! Aloe Vera is a natural,
sustainable and ready to use lubricant
that helps ease the discomfort of sex.

Here are a few pros and cons of using

Aloe Vera as a lubricant:
Cons:
Pros:
● Natural: Aloe Vera is 100%
natural and Ayurvedic unlike
other lubes available in the
market.
● Water-based: it is water-based
so it can be used with condoms
unlike oils and oil-based lubes.
● Eases pain: it also helps ease
the pain during intercourse.
● Dries quickly: Aloe Vera can dry
out quickly and you might have to
use a lot of it to ensure it helps
you with penetration.
● Itchiness: It can cause itchiness
for sensitive skin.
● Sticky: It is also very sticky and
gooey and may make sex a lot
less fun!

● Accessible: easily available and

accessible at Amrutam’s e-store.
If you have a plant at home, that’s
simply a bonus!

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How Aroma Therapy helps you with
sex drive?
One of the biggest attractions in a
person is the way they smell. A good
scent is an instant mood-lifter and
makes you want to spend more time
with a person.
lovers more sexually-liberated are:
Sandalwood or Chandan, Saffron or
Kesar, and Khus Khus or Vetiver.
Amrutam Ashtagandha Body Lotion
contains all the three above ingredients
and more, and its fragrance instantly
uplifts your mood.

Our sense of smell stimulates the nerve

endings of the olfactory bulb, which lies
at the back of the nose, which in turn
stimulates a part of the brain called the
limbic system that triggers our libido.

The essential oils do magic and

stimulate the pituitary gland, the master
of the endocrine gland, which controls
hormone production. Inactiveness of
pituitary gland can lead to low sex drive.

Natural scents present in aroma oils

bear key importance when it comes to
sexual attraction. Some scents are
overpoweringly arousing aphrodisiacs
for women while others are good
enough to bewitch even the most sober
of men.

Three Ayurvedic exotic scents that

enhance physical sensuality and make

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Further readings:

● Suffering from Vaginismus? Get

rid of it with Herbal and Home
Remedies

● Understanding Vaginismus

● Foods to eat for better sex

● Four Ayurveda recommended

foods that can help you boost
your sex life

● 13 Reasons Why Every Woman

Should Masturbate Regularly

● 17 benefits of masturbation that

show that masturbation is good
for you

● All the ways that masturbation

can make you healthier

● What does Ayurveda have to say

about sex?

● Six Ayurvedic Practices for a

Better Sex Life

● Five Ayurvedic Herbs to Jolt Your

Libido into Action and Work
Magic on your Sex Life

● Pain during intercourse in male -

How can it be treated?

● Pain during sex

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