If you use lubricant, there’s something important you should know. Your lube may contain a chemical that could increase your risk of STIs and UTIs.
This chemical interferes with the vaginal cells responsible for producing moisture and has been shown in studies to cause irritation and discomfort.
In fact, the FDA is now requiring manufacturers of these lubes to include disclaimers on their labels.
What is this chemical to watch out for? It’s called Nonoxynol-9, or N-9 for short.
So, how harmful is N-9?
One study compared women using lubes with N-9 to those using regular lubes. The results showed that women using N-9 experienced up to four times more disruption to their vaginal cells. This increases the chances of infections significantly.
Another study, published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, found that N-9 lubes can raise your risk of bacterial vaginosis (BV). This happens because N-9 kills the beneficial bacteria in the vagina that help prevent infection.
As you can see, N-9 is a chemical best avoided. Fortunately, there are plenty of lubricant options that are free from N-9.
Some great alternatives include brands like Aloe Cadabra, Good Clean Love, Pre-Seed, Restore, and Sliquid. These are made with natural, organic ingredients that are gentle on the vagina.
Sources:
- https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2007/12/19/07-6111/over-the-counter-vaginal-contraceptive-and-spermicide-drug-products-containing-nonoxynol-9-required
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/095646249300400308
- https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/abstract/2006/01000/effects_of_long_term_use_of_nonoxynol_9_on.22.aspx
