A letter in this week’s Time Out New York’s sex column, Get Naked, reminded me that sometimes it’s the simplest things that can boggle a mind. A woman writes to columnist Jamie Bufalino:

I like dry sex with my husband, but it only happens a few times per month. I assume hormones are at work, but is there anything I can do to sustain this? Dehydration? I just feel so much more when everything is dry and not ruined by wetness.

At first, I thought, Oh, she likes dry humping with her husband ... like they’re a couple of teenagers ... that’s kinda cute, I guess ... But I continued reading and realized, Oh she means actual dry sex, like with a dry vagina. Um, ew! I’ve never heard of this, have you? I mean, as far as fetishes or sexual preferences, or whatever, go, it’s decidedly tame, but, still, a dry vagina? Really? I mean, wouldn’t that feel ... horrible? Bufalino isn’t even a woman and he thinks so — his response to the letter writer after the jump.

If you go through a bottle of lube like it’s going out of style, might want to check out Astroglide’s video contest for its new product, “Natural.” Simply upload a video response to the question, “How do you go green in the bedroom?” Uh, soy candles? Recycled, biodegradable, edible body paint? The grand prize winner will receive baskets and baskets of Astroglide lube! What you always wanted, right? [Astroglide.com]

Earlier this week Jessica wrote about "The 10 Things Men Forget To Do During Sex." One of them sparked a little bit of debate amongst our commenters -- lube use. She advised men to remember to use lube and that, in general, women like to be as wet as they can get. Some of you agreed with us. But QTGirl disagreed:

"I don’t like to use a lot lube because it makes my man feel I’m more into it than I may be. When it starts getting a little drier he knows it’s time to switch things up to get it going again. To me, it’s like faking an orgasm -- using lots of lube doesn’t teach him to use a multidimensional approach to lovemaking."

Others said they simply didn't need lube. When the rest of us Frisky girls chatted about it, we discovered we were just as split. So -- where do you stand on lube?

Anyone know a good shampoo to wash lubricant out of a shag rug? I’m exiling my current lube—K-Y Warming Jelly—to the back of the medicine cabinet after a rather lamentable carpet-related accident that I just don’t want to explain to my landlord. Now, my new love is Booty Parlor’s Add Magic water-based lube with its very clean packaging.

Further confirmation that sex-related industries continue to do well during a recession: Sales of personal lubricants increased 32 percent this quarter, up to $41.2 million. “When the economy goes down, sex goes up,” according to a spokesman for Johnson & Johnson, the company behind K-Y Yours & Mine his-and-hers lubricants. The “sexual-enhancement” product category is growing even faster, with sales up 74 percent this quarter. So, it seems the recession is good for something, namely taking away everyone’s money so they can’t afford to see a movie in the theater, but they have enough to pick up a few ounces of lube. But while you’re at the store, don’t forget a pack of condoms. An increase in unemployment rates increases fertility, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research, and we see a mini-baby boom as a result. [Ad Age]

Hi, I’m Dr. V.  I’m not a real doctor, I just play one on the Internet. What I am is a lady, a lady who is a fool for love! And I love nothing more than sex. My deepest desires have happily lead me on many adventures in the sack, but they have also, sadly, made me one of my gyno’s most valuable players. But I’ve lived to tell the tale(s)! So, from time to time, I will dish the dirt on everything from getting freaky to getting freaked out. And please, if you have a question, email me. You know I love to read your smut too! Now, let’s get this party started.

We all love to be rode hard and put away wet. But sometimes we’re enjoying the ride so much, we don’t realize we’re dry—bone dry. While that can be a good problem to have, it’s still a painful predicament that could have you getting out of bed even more bow-legged than usual. This week’s Dr. V was inspired by a cowgirl in this very pickle. How do you heal a raw hide after some gun play?

Seriously, would you? The porkophiles behind Bacon Salt, Baconnaise and Bacon Lip Balm have just come out with another squealingly interesting product—bacon-flavored lube. I love bacon as much as the best person, but no. Just no. [via Geekologie]

Valentine’s Day is about sharing your love. Forget the usual cheesy crap and give holiday favors you can enjoy as a couple. Here are our favorite present picks for pairs who want to get frisky and give each other the gift that keeps on giving …

Astronauts like to experiment. And recently there’s been push at NASA to start researching sex without gravity—everything from pregnancy to the pill’s potency to the effects of effing with low blood pressure. Now, you can’t tell me that astronauts haven’t at least played with their own equipment, but with a three year mission to Mars on the horizon, they’re going to need to get some deeper satisfaction. After all, like George Michael says, “Sex is natural, sex is good.” So, with life in mind, the agency is considering running tests to make it even better by trying it in a frictionless environment. (Bonus! No need to pack a few years supply of lube.) Plus, I’m sure if all those top scientist conduct “research” we will at least see some interesting ozone-proof titanium sex toys, which may prove to be useful here on earth with global warming and all. Clearly, this is a worthy study for the space race! Especially since you will soon be able to tie the knot in a rocket ship, it’s time to make the thousand mile high club possible. [Gizmodo] [Look, the space shuttles are doing it doggy-style! HAHA!—Editor]

Condoms, the wonder rubbers, keep the sex safe like a superhero protecting a city. But there’s such a thing as condom Kryptonite. Before you get scared of imminent doom in the bedroom, here are six tips to stop your condoms from being rendered powerless.

1. When you’re cookin’ in the bedroom, never use oil-based lubricants like vegetable shortening, cold cream, or Vaseline. In addition to being a bit greasy, they can actually damage the latex. Only use water or silicone based lubricants and slip slide away!

Lube is a many splendored thing. It can slide you out of a rut; it can warm you up when you’re too drunk for foreplay; it can take you into places you’ve never been. Just when you thought lube couldn’t get better, the chemists at KY have improved upon their formula with the new Yours+Mine. The lube, intended for heterosexual couples, has two tubes made especially for each gender.  The manufacturers, Johnson & Johnson, claim that when their powers combine, forget sparks, the two will “ignite” a new sensation. Hot! Plus the packaging glows in the dark, which isn’t discreet unless you’re at a Kanye West concert, but it will help when you’re fumbling through your nightstand. [LA Times]