Copyright © 2023 | Rena Malik, M.D.
Lube is just a colloquial term of lubrication. Personal lubricants (also known as lube) are specialized products applied to sex toys to reduce friction or to ease penetration during sexual acts such as intercourse and masturbation to minimize friction.
Personal and surgical lubricants differ primarily in that surgical lubricants are thicker, sterile gels that often contain a bacteriostatic agent, or component that prevents the growth of bacteria.
350 BC: The Ancient Greeks were historically classified as sex-positive, welcoming and receptive to male homosexuality. When sex was concentrated in areas where natural lubrication was lacking, ancient Greek innovation supplied a solution: the invention of lubricant. Personal lubricant was first used by the ancient Greeks and Romans, who anointed themselves with olive oil as a sexual lubricant.
600 BC – For over a thousand years, people in Japan, Korea, and China have used Carrageenan, a thickening agent derived from seaweed, to hydrate and stimulate tissue. Carrageenan was initially employed in meals and medicines in ancient China. Boiling red seaweed into a thick, slippery, and water-soluble liquid produced this gelatinous material.
The 1600s: Lubricants were utilized in conjunction with animal intestinal condoms in both China and Japan during the 17th century. Although the Chinese, like the Greeks and Romans, used vegetable oils, the Japanese favored tort-jiru, a paste prepared from grated and pulverized yams. Clove oil was a popular lubricant throughout Japan’s Edo period (1602-1868), and is used as a lubricant today.
The 1700s – 21st century: In 1872, Robert Chesebrough developed the first petroleum jelly, a by-product of the petroleum industry that he dubbed Vaseline. Because it’s a thick compound with waterproof qualities, it became a popular lubrication choice by the mid-1900s. However, petroleum jelly is NOT currently recommended for intercourse.
K-Y Jelly was created in 1917 and marketed primarily as a personal lubricant, but it was only available by prescription until 1980. Modern lubricants are significantly safer, and there have been significant advancements since the early 1900s.
| Water-based | Water-based personal lubricants are the most extensively used personal lubricants since they are water-soluble. Cellulose ether or glycerin solutions were the first water-based lubricants. Because they can dissolve or disperse in water, typical water-based lubricants may be incompatible with sex acts performed in water (such as in a bathtub, pool, or hot tub). As indicated by research, condom users should still be urged to use water-based lubes, because condoms are more likely to break without sufficient lubrication. |
| Oil-based | Due to the lack of elasticity induced by these lubricants, oil-based lubricants, such as olive oil or coconut oil might increase the probability of latex condom rupture and slippage. People who are in relationships that do not require the use of condoms and who want to avoid certain additives and preservatives found in other lubricants may find oil-based lubricants appealing. |
| Silicone-based | Silicone based lubricants have a unique feel compared to water-based personal lubricants. Because silicone-based lubricants do not permeate into the skin or mucous membranes, they last longer than water-based lubricants. Not all silicone-based lubricants are latex-safe (check the manufacturers information to see if they are!), nor are these recommended for use with silicone based sex toys. |
Let’s dig deeper and look further into the positive and negative aspects of each type of lubes discussed.
| Lubricant-type | Pros | Cons |
| Water-based | 1. They are easy to wash off. 2. These are also Inexpensive and readily available. 3. They can be used with condoms and sex toys. | 1. Need to be reapplied frequently due to frequent evaporation. 2. May not be ideal for anal intercourse. 3. Can have irritating additives – make sure you have a habit of reviewing the ingredient list. 4. Not good for water play and will wash off in the shower. |
| Silicon-based | 1. Lasts a long time. 2. You can just apply once using a very little amount. It will last you a long time. 3. They’re a little bit more slippery and a little bit more fun. 4. You can use this with condoms. 5. Safe to use with non-silicone sex toys. | 1. Can damage silicone sex toys (the lubricant tends to solidify on the toy). 2. May leave a sticky residue on your body, even after you’ve washed off. |
| Oil-based | 1. Last a long time. 2. Readily available.You can find oils in your kitchen cupboard like coconut oil, olive oil, even Crisco, which can be used for lubrication. | 1. Can degrade latex, should not be used with latex condoms. 2. Can stain your sheets and be hard to clean up. 3. Some people may have allergic reactions to them because of the ingredients like nuts or seeds that are used in the oil. If you have food grade allergies don’t use these kinds of lubricants. |
| Vaginal | Vaginal lubricants are used by couples to alleviate vaginal dryness and soreness during intercourse. Saliva, oil (such as baby oil, olive oil, canola oil, or mineral oil), or commercially available water-based or silicone-based lubricants that are either water-based or silicone-based are all commonly used lubricants. If you are planning to use this lubricant for vaginal intercourse, you want to make sure that the PH of the lubricant matches the PH of the vagina, which is about between 3.5 and 4.9. At a lower concentration of 6.25%, both olive oil and saliva still significantly reduced progressive motility parameters, while KY jelly diminished head movement parameters. Hence, even at these very low concentrations, coital lubricants impair sperm motility and thus may adversely affect fertility. Sperm function has been discovered to be harmed by human saliva and olive oil. Certain lubricants are safe for trying to conceive so be sure to see if the lubricant you purchase is right for you. |
| Anal | Although many lubricants are safe for anal sex, there are several that are expressly marketed or manufactured to make anal sex more enjoyable. This is frequently a thicker gel rather than a liquid. This thicker consistency is preferred since it aids in the lubricant’s retention. The anal pH is around 6 so you want to ensure that any water based lubricants used for anal intercourse have a similar pH. Certain anal lubes contain numbing substances to alleviate discomfort during anal intercourse, although this is typically not recommended because a loss of sensation increases the risk of accidental harm. |
| Organic/Natural | Most people prefer natural lube because they don’t want to use abrasive or potentially harmful chemicals on sensitive places like their vaginal or anal lining. What constitutes a natural lubricant is a bit of a grey area. There’s some controversy over whether “natural” and “organic” are the same thing. Synthetic chemicals, artificial fertilizers, and hormones are generally considered to be absent from organic ingredients. |
| Specialty | Flavored lubes such as fruit flavors, are added to flavored lubricants to improve oral contact. “Edible” lubricants can be flavored and/or contain food-grade ingredients. Warming lubricants are made up of certain chemicals that produce a warm sensation. Breathing in these lubricants can heighten the effect. Ingredients like peppermint may be included in “cooling” or “tingling” lubricants. Some lubricants are sold in pairs, such as “hot and cold,” or for a specific purpose or effect. Specialty lubricants do have additives that can be irritating so would recommend avoiding these if you are new to using personal lubricants. |
| Other | In a contentious scene from the film Last Tango in Paris, Marlon Brando’s character Paul uses butter during anal sex with Maria Schneider’s character Jeanne. Things like vegetable shortening, Crisco, coconut oil and olive oil can be used as personal lubricants as well. Interestingly, coconut oil has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. However, these may disrupt the vaginal pH balance in some sensitive folks. |
For some individuals sex can be a chore – due to things like exhaustion, discomfort, pain, a lack of excitement, or the fact that it doesn’t feel very pleasurable. It’s time to debunk the misconception that lubricants are only needed to “cure” a sexual problem. Many women, young and old, have vaginal dryness at some point in their lives but are ashamed to talk about it or seek help.
Unfortunately, there appears to be a widespread misconception in social and mainstream media that younger women do not require vaginal lubrication since they should always be moist, and if they aren’t, they have a problem.
A 2013 survey of 2,451 women aged 18 to 68 indicated that, on the whole, women prefered lubricant during intercourse. When lubricant was used, 9 out of 10 women thought that intercourse was more comfortable, enjoyable, and just better.
It could really make sex more delightful for guys as well. A well-lubricated penis not only promotes pleasure, but it also protects the sensitive tissues of the vagina and penis from harm or abrasion..
You can also boost pleasure and excitement by using lubricants during foreplay.
What are some great reasons to use lubricants?
Copyright © 2023 | Rena Malik, M.D.
