Personal lubricant
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Personal lubricants (colloquially termed as lube) are specialized lubricants which serve, during sexual acts (such as intercourse and masturbation), to reduce friction with the penis, vagina, anus or other body parts. Personal lubricants were originally derived from surgical lubricants designed for use during medical procedures, and are now also used frequently to provide lubrication for sexual practices. Popular personal lubricant brands include Wallace-O'Farrell's Slippery Stuff Gel, K-Y Jelly, Astroglide, Eros, Aquawet, Sliquid, Boy Butter, Super Spit, Oceanus Naturals Carrageenan, Firefly Organics, System JO, Durex Play, ID, Wet, Liquid Silk, Maximus, Probe, Gun Oil and Élégance Woman’s Lubricant.
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[edit] Personal lubricant types
[edit] Water-based
Water-based personal lubricants are water soluble and are the most widely available personal lubricant on the market. Most of the earliest water-based lubricants were cellulose or glycerin solutions, although Wallace-O'Farrell's Slippery Stuff Gel, on the market since 1986, contains neither. Lubricants containing glycerin may promote or exacerbate vaginal yeast infections in persons who are susceptible.[1] Subsequent products have added various agents for spreading, water retention, and resistance to contamination. The viscosity of these products can be adjusted by adjusting their water content and concentration of cellulose (or another gel-forming hydrophilic ingredient). They have a tendency to dry out during use, but reapplication is often sufficient to re-activate them.
Because water-based personal lubricants absorb into the skin and evaporate they eventually will dry out leaving the residue derived from the other ingredients in the formulation. Particularly sugar (or glycerin) and other chemicals and preservatives create a sticky residue and associated sensation, often associated with an unpleasant taste and smell. Some of these water based personal lubricants require constant reapplication and leave a residue on the skin, which is however easily removed with water. Newer generation water-based lubricants are formulated with natural skin moisturizers such as carrageenan, eliminating the sticky residue post-evaporation. Carrageenan in some formulations such as Bioglide have been shown to be potent inhibitors of human papillomavirus infection in vitro.[2]
Typical water-based lubricants are incompatible with many sex acts that occur in water (such as in a bathtub, pool, or hot tub) as they can be dissolved or dispersed in water.
[edit] Oil-based
Many women, especially Perimenopausal women (starting as early as 35-40 years old), Menopausal women (50+ years old), and women with Vulvodynia (inflammation of the vulvar nerves that can cause burning, stinging, rawness, itching, etc.), have been frustrated with Over-The-Counter (OTC) lubricants causing irritation. At the last North American Menopause Society convention in Orlando, FL many physicians confirmed disappointments with the current OTC lubricants especially for these patient populations.
The first oil-based lubricant of its kind that has received FDA clearance and that does not contain the preservative, propylene glycol - an alcohol that can cause dryness and irritation - is Élégance Woman’s Lubricant.
[edit] Natural and organic
In the United States the first certified organic personal lubricant labeled with the USDA organic seal was Nude Personal Lubricant[3], which was created in 2004 by Applied Organics. The USDA and the United States National Organic Plan have since revised their organic strategy and changed laws affecting the ability of personal lubricants and personal care products to carry the USDA seal. Sliquid, LLC is currently marketing a personal lubricant, Sliquid Organics, certifed as organic by QCS.[citation needed]
Although petroleum jelly (e.g. Vaseline®) is inexpensive and readily available, it can often be difficult to clean off the body after sexual activity, because it is not water soluble and coats the skin. Clear, bottled mineral oil (commonly used as an oral laxative), or baby oil, is a less viscous alternative to petroleum jelly and is easier to wash off the skin. These are still synthetic petroleum based products and can cause skin irritation. Medicinal castor oil was the original plant-based surgical lubricant.[4] Many other natural plant-based fats, such as coconut oil or cocoa butter, may be used as well.
[edit] Silicone-based
Silicone-based lubricants possess many unique qualities which make them very different from other personal lubricants. Silicone based personal lubricants do not absorb into the skin, instead staying on the surface of the skin to provide a durable glide. Various products have varying characteristics, quality and performance. Not all silicone-based lubricants are certified condom and latex safe so the user must always check the label and use as directed. The CE label is an approval that the product is safe for use with latex condoms.[citation needed]
Silicone-based lubricants are not recommended for use with silicone-based sex toys. The lubricants dissolve the surface of the toys, making them sticky and causing them to slowly disintegrate. Pre-lubricated condoms may use a silicone lubricant and should therefore be checked before using with silicone-based sex toys. Popular brands include Sasmar Original, ID Millennium, Gun Oil, FriXion Silicone, Sliquid Silver and Wet Platinum.
[edit] Specialty lubricants
"Specialty" lubricants are designed to cause physiological or physical changes to the area applied; these include warming lubricants, which cause a heating sensation in the skin. Breathing on these types of lubricants can increase the effect. Another type of specialty lubricant can increase blood flow to the regions in which they are applied, creating a fuller erection of the penis or clitoris; these may contain vasodilators to, in theory, increase blood flow after topical application. One such specialty enhancer containing a vasodilator is Wallace-O'Farrell's HerGel. Others include flavored lubricants. Popular brands include Firefly Organics Personal Lubricant, ID Personal Lubricants, Sliquid Sizzle (Menthol), Carrageenan, O'My, KY Warming Lubricant, and other lubricants with the vasodilator L-arginine.
[edit] Anal Specific
Many lubricants are safe for anal sex, but there are products that are specifically designed to enhance the anal sex experience. Many of the anal lubricants contain benzocaine, a numbing agent that will numb the anal area for a more comfortable experience. Others like Astroglide Shooters do not have a numbing agent, but are conveniently packaged for ease of application. Products containing benzocaine will numb all body parts they come in contact with.[5]
[edit] Uses
[edit] Medicine
In medicine, personal lubricants such as Wallace-O'Farrell's Slippery Stuff Gel, K-Y Jelly, Astroglide, Lupin Lubricant, or Probe Personal Lubricant can be used for gynecological examinations, digital rectal examinations, and in the use of enema nozzles and rectal thermometers. In fact, some personal lubricants were invented for these medical uses.
[edit] Sexual intercourse
A lubricant can be used to increase pleasure and reduce pain during sexual activity and may be used for lubricating the penis, dildo, vagina or anus before sexual intercourse. Personal lubricants are particularly useful for anal sex, vaginal intercourse when the woman experiences vaginal dryness, and vaginal intercourse when the woman's vagina is contracted. It is generally sufficient to apply a good drop of lubricant on the vaginal entrance and, if applicable, the penis being inserted. Anal sex usually requires a more generous application, since the anus has no natural lubrication.
There are also available combinations of personal lubricants with spermicides. Nonoxynol-9, contained in some spermicidal lubricants, can in rare cases cause irritation and micro-tears which can lead to higher HIV transmission rates.[6] Spermicidally lubricated condoms do not contain enough spermicide to increase contraceptive effectiveness,[7] however application of separate spermicide is thought to reduce pregnancy rates significantly.[8]
[edit] Masturbation
While males and females both produce various amounts of their own lubrication, it is often desirable to add extra lubricant (just like with sexual intercourse). Lubricant helps the object (or the hand) used for masturbation slide better. Masturbating without lubrication can lead to friction burns, blisters, cuts, and calluses. For males there are specific masturbation lubricants[9] that are oil-based and therefore not suitable for vaginal use or with latex contraceptives.[10] Any lubricant that is safe for sexual intercourse is also safe for masturbation.
[edit] References
- ^ Silverberg, Cory (September 24, 2006). "Can I get a yeast infection from a personal lubricant?". About.com. http://sexuality.about.com/od/sexualhealthqanda/f/lube_yeast.htm. Retrieved on 2008-12-07.
- ^ Buck, Christopher B; Cynthia D Thompson, Jeffrey N Roberts, Martin Müller, Douglas R Lowy, John T Schiller (2006). "Carrageenan Is a Potent Inhibitor of Papillomavirus Infection". PLoS Pathogens 2 (7): e69. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.0020069.
- ^ http://www.ccof.org/press060204.php Nude Personal Lubricant, Certified Organic by CCOF, Santa Cruz, California.
- ^ "Report upon the Use of a Mixture of Castor oil and Balsam of Peru as a Surgical Dressing". pubmedcentral. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/pagerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&pageindex=1&artid=1425429. Retrieved on 2007-01-16.
- ^ "Personal Lubricant Buying Guide". Health Services. Sinclair Institute. October 15, 2008. http://www.sinclairinstitute.com/Buying-Guides/Personal-Lubricant-Buying-Guide.aspx. Retrieved on 2009-07-07.
- ^ Bass, Emily (August 2002). "Learning from microbicides: A young field's experience working with high-risk women". AIDScience. IAVI. http://aidscience.org/Articles/iavi007.asp. Retrieved on 2008-12-07.
- ^ "Birth Control - Nonoxynol-9 and Risk Reduction". Our Bodies Ourselves. Global Campaign for Microbicides. March 2005. http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/book/companion.asp?id=18&compID=19. Retrieved on 2008-12-07.
- ^ Kestelman P, Trussell J (1991). "Efficacy of the simultaneous use of condoms and spermicides.". Fam Plann Perspect 23 (5): 226–7, 232. doi:. PMID 1743276.
- ^ Stroke 29
- ^ Hauck, Tyler. "Lubricants for Sex: Oil-Based Lube". AskMen.com. http://www.askmen.com/dating/love_tip_150/188b_love_tip.html. Retrieved on 2008-12-07.
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