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No longer taboo
Not so long ago, you probably wouldn't have brought up the topic of personal lubricants even with your most trusted confidant. But today, sexuality has become an open topic of conversation in our society and lubrication seems pretty tame. Still, it's a personal decision based on your lifestyle and preferences. You can assess the properties and nuances of a lubricant. There's even an associated vocabulary: lubricity, viscosity, cohesiveness, and friction, not to mention taste, smell, color, and form. But the most important thing is safety -- make sure that anything you use sexually is clean, safely covered, and well lubricated.
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Lubricant Basics
A good lubricant enhances and prolongs slippery friction. There are so many types of lubricants out there that it might take some experimentation to find the one you like best. Some of the more exotic lubricants can be colored or flavored.
Several things you should know about lubricants:
- You can find lubricants in the form of gel, liquid, cream, jelly, suppository, and lotion.
- Most lubricants are water-based; avoid those that aren't.
- Never use oil or an oil-based lubricant (like Vaseline) with a condom. The oil will destroy the condom.
- Some lubricants include the spermicide nonoxynol-9. If you're trying to avoid pregnancy and STDs, every little bit helps.
- Women may find the need for a lubricant because of nerves, age, drug use (like antihistamines), pregnancy, breastfeeding, recent surgery, diabetes, or stress.
- A lubricant creates a much safer environment for insertion; it reduces the possibility of tearing or abrasion, enhances the feeling of safety, provides comfort, and allows a longer time for arousal.
- Men or women engaging in any kind of sex play that involves vaginal or anal insertion should use lubricants to avoid injury that could increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
- Common sexual wisdom suggests that things should be clean and covered in latex and a water-based lubricant before attempting any kind of insertion.
- There is a difference between hospital lubricants and sexual lubricants. Lubricants developed expressly for sex tend to have greater viscosity (they stay slippery longer) and cohesiveness (they last longer).
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Water-based lubricants
These decrease friction during intercourse when condoms are used and help prevent latex condoms from breaking. They're also used as replacements or supplements for natural vaginal lubrication.
Oil-based lubricants
Thicker and more viscous than water-based lubricants, oil-based products also tend to last longer. They will reduce the friction, but should not be used on latex products because they will dissolve latex. However, they can be used with polyurethane products.
Preservatives
There are far too many preservatives in personal lubricants to list, but they all work in one of two ways:
- By preventing the growth of microorganisms.
- By preventing the breakdown or degradation of other chemicals.
Preservatives are often (but not always) the culprit when you have an allergic reaction to a product.
| Water-Based Lubricants | Ingredient | Description |
|---|
| Glycerin | ? | A slippery, watery chemical that draws moisture from the air. It makes for a great lubricant that won't dissolve latex. It is usually safe and nonallergenic. | | Propylene glycol (PEG) | ? | Does its job by keeping moisture up and friction down without dissolving latex. It can permeate the skin and carry water with it better than other ingredients. It's a solvent and a moisturizing agent. There is greater sensitivity to this compound than to glycerin. | | Oil-Based Lubricants | Ingredient | Description |
|---|
| Mineral oil | ? | A petroleum-based lubricant that is quite oily and will dissolve latex. It's nonallergenic and improves the skin's protective ability. | | Hydrogenate palm oil glyceride | ? | A plant oil that has been processed to make it thicker, it will dissolve latex. | | Silicone oil | ? | Safe with water-repelling capabilities, it will dissolve latex. | | Preservatives | Ingredient | Description |
|---|
| Sorbic acid | ? | Used to inhibit the growth of fungi (mold and yeast), which is dependent on pH. | | Chlorhexidine | ? | A strong, basic antiseptic that exists as a powder, it has the potential to be very irritating. | | Polyquaternium-32 | ? | Also a quaternary ammonium compound that has antimicrobial activity. | | Benzoic acid | ? | Effective against microbes, it may cause skin irritations. | | Methylparaben | ? | Widely used with good antimicrobial properties, it is capable of causing allergic reactions. | | Propylparaben | ? | Effective against bacteria and fungi, it can be used in all types of solutions. It's not as toxic as benzoic acid. |
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Appropriate Uses
Water-based lubricant
Decreases friction during intercourse when condoms are used and helps prevent latex condoms from breaking. Makes it easier to put on male and female condoms and helps the female condom stay in the correct position. Also makes intercourse more comfortable and less painful. Used as a replacement or supplement for natural vaginal lubrication.
Oil-based lubricant
Oil-based lubricants can also be used with the female condom.
Common Misconceptions
Oil-based lubricant
Should not be used in conjunction with latex condoms, because oil-based lubricants damage latex and cause condoms to break.
Reducing Friction
- Apply small amounts of lubricant to all involved surfaces.
- Gently attempt insertion. If there is too much resistance, add more lubricant.
- If lubricant begins to get tacky or break down after a while, add more.
- Remember, if you're using a latex condom, only use water-based lubricants. Oil-based ones will damage the latex.
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Beware
- Lubricants may cause condom slippage.
- Oil-based lubricants are not secreted from the body as easily as water-based ones and may cause vaginal infections.
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Websites, Organizations & Manufacturers
Sources & Further Reading
Books
- 1. Knowles, J; M Ringel.All About Birth Control. Three Rivers Press, New York, 1998.
- 2. Knodel, LC.Nonprescription Products: Formulations & Features '98-99. Americam Pharmaceutical Association. Washington DC 1998.
- 3. Winter, R.A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients. Random House, Ince. New York 1994.
- 4. Michalun, N and MV Michalun.Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary. Milday Pub. Co. Albany, NY 1994.
Find more books on health and wellness at  barnesandnoble.com.
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