It's time to start asking serious questions about the safety of lube

[n2doc]

Maggie Koerth-Baker

The stuff you use to make sex a little more smooth might have some serious drawbacks. Nothing has been proven yet — most of the data comes from disembodied cell cultures and animal testing, which doesn't necessarily give you an accurate picture of what's happening in humans — but several studies over the last few years have drawn connections between lubricant use and increased rates of STD transmission. (It also looks like some lubricants might kill off natural vaginal flora — the good bacteria that live "up there" and make the difference between a healthy vagina and, say, a raging yeast infection.)

Some of these studies have provided evidence suggesting that the ingredients in lubricants damage the cells lining the vagina and rectum — which would explain why those lubricants might facilitate STD transmission.

At Chemical and Engineering News, Lauren Wolf has a really well-researched, well-written story that will give you the low-down on this research without hype and without fear-mongering. Her story is easy to understand and explains what we know, what we don't know, and why this matters (besides the obvious, lubricants have been proposed as a possible means of applying topical anti-microbial STD preventatives).

more
http://boingboing.net/2012/12/19/its-time-to-start-asking-ser.html

[bemildred]

1. Perhaps lube facilitates vigorous sex.

And that results in epithelial tissue damage, which facilitates transmission.

Although I agree that the right lube makes all the difference, and you definitely should not use anything that messes with vaginal flora.

[MineralMan]

2. No problems are ever caused with natural lubrication.

That's always worked just fine.

[n2doc]

3. some don't have that option

And saliva doesn't work all that well or for long.