Choose your lube wisely…

Everybody has heard about lube, or personal lubricant, to be used during sex but the question still begs; why do we need lube anyways? Well because it’s fun of course, but that’s not all...

If you are in a long term, monogamous, faithful, heterosexual relationship you’re not having any issues with getting all wet and wild than I give you permission to stop reading now.

For the rest of you here is the deal; not using lube could potentially increase your chances of contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections. Yep, friction from intercourse can cause micro lesions in the vaginal or anal tissue which increases the chances of transmission of STIs. So use lube okay.

Now how to chose your lube. I always say there are four kinds of lubes: Water Based lubes, Silicone Based lubes, Oil based lubes, and finally bad lubes.

Water Based:
The advantages of water based lubes are that they are less expensive, available almost everywhere, and compatible with latex condoms and pretty much every toy on the market. The down side it that you have to add mid action because it dries out quickly and gets absorbed by the body, especially during anal sex. A really good one is Muko as it’s medical grade stuff.

Silicone Based:
The great thing about silicone lubes it that they are super slick, last for hours and you don’t need much of it. Silicon lube it compatible with condoms, it fantastic for sex in the shower (careful not to slip) or jacuzzi and pretty much mandatory for anal sex. The down side is that it’s a little more expensive, not compatible with silicone toys, and may stain bedsheets.

Oil Based:
Oil based are often “natural” lubricants like vegetable oil, or shortening, olive oil, petroleum jelly, etc. I am not a big fan of oil based lube for 2 reasons. First it’s not compatible with latex condoms. Oil will actually eat up the latex in no time at all and break it down. Second I don’t advise using it vaginally since the vagina will have a hard time “flushing it out” naturally and the oil might harbor bacterial and cause infections. The one good use for oil lube is for anal play IF you don’t need to use condoms to prevent STIs.

Bad Lubes:
Finally bad lubes are the ones you should just avoid. Anything that is scented (soap) or flavored (whipped cream) unless it specifically says that it doesn’t contain any sugar because Sugar+Vagina=Infection. Even if it isn’t flavored check for ingredients like glycerin, glucose, or anything ending in “ose”. Another ingredient in some water-based products that is creeping up is propylene glycol. Finally I am skeptical about any lube that is “warming” as I wonder what chemical did they throw in there to make it feel warm… dubious…

Okay so that was my lube schpeel.

Have fun

~Maryline