Did you know that some lubricants can actually be harmful to your vagina?
It’s true. A group of scientists tested nine popular lubricants to see how they affect vaginal health, and their findings were surprising.
They discovered that some lubes can actually make vaginal dryness worse! Even though these lubes provide moisture during sex, they can end up leaving you feeling even drier afterward.
Why does this happen?
According to the scientists, it’s because these lubes, while feeling slippery, are highly concentrated with chemicals and contain very little water.
When these lubes enter the vagina, they can draw water away from the already dry tissue, making the problem worse.
As a result, the delicate vaginal cells become even drier and more fragile. This increases the risk of tears and irritation, leading to discomfort, and raising the chances of infections like STIs.
So, how can you tell if your lube is safe?
Check the osmolality listed on the label. The natural osmolality of the vagina is 370 mOsm/Kg, so ideally, your lube should be under 400 mOsm/Kg. (If the label doesn’t show this information, it’s a good idea to ask the manufacturer.)
The study identified a few safe options, including Aloe Cadabra, Good Clean Love, Pre-Seed, and Restore. You can find these on Amazon.
Source:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5977164/
