How to choose the right lubricant for comfort and protection

Types of personal lubricant

Three main types of lubricant are available online, in pharmacies or in large area stores. Each has advantages and disadvantages:

• Water -based lubricants: These are the most common type. They are soft on sensitive skin and sure to use with all types of condoms. However, they tend to dry quickly and may require frequent application.
• Silicone -based lubricants: Some people prefer them because they feel more silky and last longer than water -based lubricants. They can also be used with all types of condoms. Even so, silicone -based lubricants can degrade silicone sex toys and can cause skin irritation for some.
• Oil -based lubricant: Oil -based lubricants are durable but tend to be more messy and can leave oil stains. They can also degrade latex and cause the burst of latex condoms. These are often the best used for skin to skin contact, as for a massage or mutual masturbation.

Are there natural alternatives?

Certain natural alternatives to lubricants based on water, silicone and oil can be designed specifically as personal lubricants, while others are products that you see on the shelves of the grocery store:

• Aloe vera:: This natural gel moisturizer is increasingly used in over -the -counter lubricants like Aloe Cadabra and almost naked. Aloe vera can be used with all types of condoms but should be washed after sex because it has astringent properties that can dry the tissues.
• Coconut oil: This more durable natural oil solidifies at room temperature but liquefies when applied to the skin. Although coconut oil is soft for the skin, it has antibacterial properties that can disrupt vaginal pH in sensitive people. Coconut oil is also dangerous for latex condoms.
• Vegetable shortering: This product used in cooking has properties similar to those of coconut oil, passing from a liquid with body heat. Like coconut oil, it cannot be used with latex and can also alter vaginal pH (a measure of acidity and alkalinity), which makes it more suitable for anal sex or masturbation.

Additives and specialized products

Many ingredients are generally added to personal lubricants for sexual pleasure, to help alleviate pain with sex or to prevent pregnancy. Examples include:

• Speed:: Sperm agents like non-oxynol-9 are around 79% effective to prevent pregnancy by themselves and up to 99% effective when used with a condom. Even thus, non-oxynol-9 can cause vaginal irritation and lesions that increase the risk of HIV.
• Standing agents: Topical anesthetics like lidocaine can make the vagina and sex more comfortable and even help prevent premature ejaculation. Although Lidocaine is generally safe, it can cause light redness, swelling and itching for some.
• Warming and cooling agents:: CapsaicinA chemical derived from peppers, and menthol, an organic compound derived from mint, create sensations of warming and cooling that some find sexually stimulating. In some people, they can cause burns, pain and swelling.
• Aromas: Beyond their new value, these additives can hide the taste and smell of condoms and lubricant, which some find out of putting. Sold in a variety of fruit flavors, these chemical flavors can promote yeast infections due to their high sugar content.

Are there any risks that I should know?

When used appropriately, personal lubricants can increase sexual pleasure. However, potential risks can influence your choice of lubricant, in particular:

• Rupture of the condom: Avoid the oil -based lubricant of all kinds with latex condoms. This includes baby oil, oil jelly, mineral oil, Crisco and “natural” lubricants containing coconut oil.
• Yeast infection: In addition to sweet flavors, a viscous sugar commonly used in the water -based lubricant, called glycerincan feed a yeast infection. If you have or are vulnerable to yeast infections, opt for products labeled without glycerin.
• Vaginal pH: A healthy vaginal pH varies from 3.8 to 4.5. Most commercial lubricants have much higher pH levels than that. To avoid vaginal inflammation and infection, opt for the lubricant with a pH in the healthy range and avoid those which do not publish the pH on the product label.
• Mucous irritation: Conservatives commonly used in personal lubricants, called parabensCan cause vaginal and anal irritation in people with sensitive skin. If you feel pain and discomfort with your current lubricant, remember to buy marks labeled without paraben.

Main to remember

• Lubricant, or personal lubricant, can reduce friction and increase comfort during sex and masturbation.
• The three main types of lubricant (water -based, silicone -based and oil -based) differ in their ingredients, the texture, with which you can use them and how long they last.
• The oil -based lubricant is never used with latex condoms because it causes bursting. The other risks include vaginal irritation with spermicidal lubricants and yeast infections with glycerin and flavored lubricants.