The Power of Lube
Don’t be afraid to lube it up.
Lubricants can be extremely helpful for people of all ages and all genitals.
You can use lube for penetrative vaginal or anal sex, using sex toys by yourself or with a partner, or dilator and pelvic wand use. Some can even be used as a daily moisturizer. More lubrication can mean less pain and less microtrauma, which can mean more fun and fewer infections!
Silicon lube
Okay with condoms!
Not okay with silicone sex toys! Sidenote: there are also hybrid lubes that are sometimes okay with silicon sex toys, but do a patch test to make sure the material does not degrade.
Silicon lube lasts the longest and is good for the shower because it’s not water soluble.
● Überlube
● Sliquid Silver
● Pjur Med Soft Glide
Water-based lube
Okay with condoms and sex toys!
Get one with a pH and osmolality that matches where it’s going:
Natal vagina: pH of 3.5-4.5 (a little higher when ovulating because spermies don’t like a low pH)
Neovagina: pH of 5-7
Anus: pH of 6-7
Dries out fastest and may need to be reapplied a few times.
*The “warming sensation” varieties usually have silly high osmolality and can damage tissue, so please avoid those.
● Sliquid Sassy (pH: 4.1-4.4, osmolality 106)
● Yes lube (pH: 4.0, osmolality 154, but the sperm-friendly version is pH: 7.65, osmolality 333)
● Good Clean Love (pH: 4.7, osmolality 240)
● Slippery Stuff (pH: 6.8, osmolality 13), just beware that this osmolality is quite low and use caution especially with a neovagina.
Oil Based Lube
NOT okay with latex condoms!
Can be messy and/or stain fabric, so consider laying a dark towel down if you’re using oil-based lube on a bed with sheets you like.
● Yes oil
● Vitamin E oil
● Rosehip oil
● Coconut oil
So you can see there are a lot of lube options and I only put my favorites on here. It can be difficult to find information on pH and osmolality, so consider calling the manufacturer if you have questions google can’t answer. Also remember that buzz words like “organic” or “natural” don’t mean very much, especially when it comes to personal care products. The ingredients are likely safe, but consider going for a brand that uses third party testing.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your qualified medical provider for an individual assessment or plan of care.
Reference:
Edwards, D., & Panay, N. (2015). Treating vulvovaginal atrophy/genitourinary syndrome of menopause: how important is vaginal lubricant and moisturizer composition? Climacteric, 19(2), 151–161. doi:10.3109/13697137.2015.1124259
