Can lubricants be dangerous? The whole truth about intimate lubricants and gels
Many people are convinced that lubricants of all kinds are one of the easiest keys to great sex. How did this happen? For both men and women, lubricant increases skin sensitivity and makes every touch many times more intense. At the same time, lubricant allows you to solve another problem — cope with vaginal dryness.
Contents of the article:
Main concerns
Recently, however, some sexologists have tempered their enthusiasm for lubricants. Recent studies have shown that lubricant users are at increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections due to damage to the epidermis.
Over the past few decades, lubricants have become widely available. In the US alone, these products generate approximately $200 million in annual sales. And most couples use gel lubricants at least once.
Typically, such products are water-based. They also contain glycerin and propylene glycol, which slow down water evaporation and make surfaces more slippery than saliva.
Osmotic concentration indicator and skin cell condition
However, there are pitfalls here. Many of these products do not have an adequate measure of “osmotic concentration”. Check out Wikipedia to find out: The term is used to refer to the total concentration of particles dissolved in a liquid. For most lubricants, this figure is much higher than for the epidermis or the inner surface of the rectum. What will this lead to? Lubrication causes the delicate skin of the genitals to dry out like a plume.
Scientific experiments
Studies confirming this fact are as follows.
- Portuguese scientists exposed vaginal cells in laboratory conditions to commercial lubricants with a high osmotic concentration. It turns out that cells are damaged by such substances, and this increases the risk of transmitting STDs.
- The vagina contains a large number of microorganisms necessary for maintaining normal microflora. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have discovered that lubricants with high osmotic concentrations are deadly to some of these bacteria, which undermines vaginal immunity and makes women more susceptible to STIs.
- Scientists from Johns Hopkins University replicated the Portuguese study, but with rectal tissue rather than vaginal cells. Commercial lubricants caused greater cell damage. The researchers reached a disappointing conclusion: lubricants may increase the risk of HIV transmission. One of the research fellows, Richard Cohn, put it this way: “Most lubricants require a radical change in their chemical formula.”
Read also: 10 Best Intimate Lubricants to Make Pleasure Sweeter
Chafing during sex, especially long periods, can cause a variety of problems. For example, women often experience pain and irritation in their intimate areas. Arguments in favor
Arguments for
Is it dangerous to swallow lubricant? (intimate lubricant)
Researchers from Indiana University also instructed 2, 453 women to use a special lubricant for five weeks and keep a sex diary. They found that lubricants helped make their intimate lives more intense and fulfilling. The researchers in this group did not find an increased incidence of sexually transmitted infections.
To this day, manufacturers take lubricant safety seriously. However, as the only field study shows, lubricants are only dangerous for those who engage in anal sex. For everyone else, lubrication generally doesn”t increase the risk. A reasonable solution is to use products with a low osmotic concentration. However, until now, manufacturers have not provided information about this value on their packaging. Ultimately, there is no compelling reason to consider high osmotic concentrations dangerous.
However, it”s worth giving lubricants their due and noting that they can still be beneficial. For example, for many women, the ability to achieve orgasm only occurs with constant clitoral stimulation. And without stimulation in this area, this orgasmic zone cannot be reached, regardless of penis size or duration of sex. However, if a partner uses lubricants, including oral sex, the likelihood of achieving orgasm reaches 90%.
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Can you swallow lubricant? Is intimate lube dangerous?
