There should be no pain during physical intercourse. There should be no irritation. That’s why many people use lubricants. Lubricant means anything that reduces friction. To make the machine work smoothly, oil or grease is added to it.
Similarly, lubricants are used during sex also.
Now many people use coconut oil for lubricant. spit. Use petroleum jelly or moisturizer. But these four should not be used on private parts.
Dr. Mangala Lakshmi is a Tamil Nadu based fertility expert. He has posted a post on social media, which has gone quite viral. It states that not every lubricant is safe. Especially when it comes to health, fertility and pregnancy. Many people use petroleum jelly, coconut oil, spit and body lotions thinking that these are completely safe. But it is not so. Their use in private parts is harmful.
What are the disadvantages of using all these things and what are the safe options? Dr. Nidhi Rajotia Goyal, Unit Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Artemis Hospitals, told us this.
Doctor Nidhi tells that many people use coconut oil during sex. Because, it is very beneficial for hair and skin. But it should not be used as a lubricant. This damages latex condoms. It may burst and pregnancy may occur.
Coconut oil is oil-based. This can spoil the pH balance of the vagina. This may cause fungal infection. pH level is a scale that tells how acidic or alkaline something is. The vagina is slightly acidic, so that harmful bacteria do not grow in it. But coconut oil spoils the natural environment when it goes inside the body. Which can cause infection and itching. Coconut oil is sticky on it. It becomes difficult to clean it. outcome? There is a risk of bacteria increasing.
Some people also use spit. This is most unsafe. Spit contains oral bacteria and viruses. It can cause infection in the vagina or penis. If one partner has sexually transmitted infections like HIV, herpes or HPV. So these can happen to the other partner too.
The bacteria present in your mouth are completely different from the bacteria in the vagina. When spit reaches inside the vagina, it disturbs the vaginal microbiome. That means there is an imbalance between good and bad bacteria in the vagina. Due to which the risk of infections like bacterial vaginosis increases significantly. This may cause changes in discharge, odor, itching and burning.
Spit dries much faster than lubricants. This causes dryness in the vagina or penis. outcome? Injuries, burns and infections. That is, spit should not be used as a lubricant at all.
Now let’s talk about petroleum jelly. It is oil based, hence there is a risk of the condom bursting. This can spoil the natural pH level of the vagina. Bacterial vaginosis may occur. Like coconut oil, it is also difficult to clean completely from the vagina.
Some people apply moisturizer or body lotion as a lubricant. These are made for your skin, not for intimate areas. These contain fragrance, alcohol and other chemicals. Which can harm the sensitive skin of the vagina. This may cause burning, itching or infection in the vagina. These also weaken condoms. Due to which the risk of it bursting or leaking increases.
Therefore, use only medical grade lubricant during sex. You will find these in pharmacy, supermarket or online. You can use water based lubricant. These condoms are friendly. Are easily cleaned and are considered the safest. These do not cause skin irritation. The natural pH of the vagina is also maintained. Silicone based lubricants are also very good. These last longer and do not harm the skin. If your skin is sensitive, then you should only use paraben-free and fragrance-free lubricants. If infection or allergy still occurs, consult a doctor.
(The information, treatment methods and dosages recommended here are based on the experience of experts. Consult your doctor before following any advice. NH does not advise you to take medicines on your own.)