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Personal lubricant

Personal lubricants are specialized lubricants which serve, during sexual intercourse, to reduce friction with the vagina, the anus, or other body parts. Personal lubricants were originally derived from surgical lubricants designed for use during medical procedures, but are now also used frequently to provide lubrication for sexual practices. Popular personal lubricant brands include K-Y Jelly, Astroglide, Eros, Sliquid, Firefly Organics, System JO, Durex Play, ID, Wet, and Probe.

Personal lubricant types

Water-based

Water-based personal lubricants are water soluble and are the most widely available personal lubricant on the market. The earliest water-based lubricants were cellulose or glycerin solutions. Lubricants containing glycerin may cause or exacerbate vaginal yeast infections in persons who are susceptible. Subsequent products have added various agents for spreading, water retention, and resistance to contamination. The viscosity of these products can be adjusted by adjusting their water content and concentration of cellulose (or another gel-forming hydrophilic ingredient). They have a tendency to dry out during use, but reapplication is often sufficient to re-activate them.

Because water-based personal lubricants absorb into the skin and evaporate they eventually will dry out leaving the residue derived from the other ingredients in the formulation. Particularly sugar (or glycerin) and other chemicals and preservatives create a sticky residue and associated sensation, often associated with an unpleasant taste and smell. Some of these water based personal lubricants require constant reapplication and leave a residue on the skin, which is however easily removed with water. Newer generation water-based lubricants are formulated with natural skin moisturizers such as carrageenan, eliminating the sticky residue post-evaporation. Carrageenan in some formulations such as Bioglide have been shown to be potent inhibitors of human papillomavirus infection in vitro.

Typical water-based lubricants are incompatible with many sex acts that occur in water (such as in a bathtub, pool, sink, or hot tub) as they can be dissolved or dispersed in water.

Natural and organic

The first certified organic personal lubricant labeled with the USDA organic seal was Nude Personal Lubricant, which created in 2004 by Applied Organics. Until this point, no personal lubricants on the market had been marketed as "certified organic." This product was later replaced by Firefly Organics Personal Lubricant, which had similar benefits. The USDA and the United States National Organic Plan revised their organic strategy and changed laws affecting the ability of personal lubricants and personal care products to carry the USDA seal today. Sliquid, LLC is currently marketing a botanically infused personal lubricant, Sliquid Organics, made with organic extracts certified by QCS.

Oil-based

Unlike water-based lubricants, oil-based lubricants, such as Vaseline, dissolve latex and are likely to reduce the effectiveness of latex condoms and diaphragms as contraceptives and protection against sexually transmitted diseases. (Synthetic oil-based lubricants can only safely be used for anal sex if the participants are STD-negative; even then, condom-protected sex may not be "safe sex" for days afterwards, as the oil-based lubricant has a tendency to linger in the anus.)

Although petroleum jelly (e.g. Vaseline) is inexpensive and readily available, it can often be difficult to clean off the body after sexual activity, because it is not water soluble and coats the skin. Clear, bottled mineral oil (commonly used as an oral laxative), or baby oil, is a less viscous alternative to petroleum jelly and is easier to wash off the skin. These are still synthetic petroleum based products and can cause skin irritation. Medicinal Castor oil was the original plant-based surgical lubricant. Many other natural plant-based fats, such as Coconut oil or Cocoa butter, may be used as well.

Silicone-based

Silicone-based lubricants possess many unique qualities which make them very different from other personal lubricants. Silicone based personal lubricants do not absorb into the skin, instead staying on the surface of the skin to provide a durable glide. Various products have varying characteristics, quality and performance. Not all silicone-based lubricants are certified condom and latex safe so the user must always check the label and use as directed.

Silicone-based lubricants are not recommended for use with silicone-based sex toys. The lubricants dissolve the surface of the toys, making them sticky and causing them to slowly disintegrate. Pre-lubricated condoms may use a silicone lubricant and should therefore be checked before using with silicone-based sex toys. Popular brands include Eros, ID Millennium, Gun Oil, FriXion, Sliquid Silver, Wet Platinum and Liquid Silk.

Specialty lubricants

"Specialty" lubricants are designed to cause physiological or physical changes to the area applied; these include warming lubricants, which cause a heating sensation in the skin. Breathing on these types of lubricants can increase the effect. Another type of specialty lubricant can increase blood flow to the regions in which they are applied, creating a fuller erection of the penis or clitoris; these may contain vasodilators to, in theory, increase blood flow after topical application, products that include L-Arginine can cause herpes outbreaks. Others include flavored lubricants. Popular brands include Firefly Organics Personal Lubricant, ID Personal Lubricants, Sliquid Sizzle (Menthol), O'My, KY Warming Lubricant, and other lubricants with the vasodilator L-arginine.

Uses

Medicine

In medicine, personal lubricants such as K-Y Jelly, Astroglide or Probe Personal Lubricant can be used for gynecological examinations, digital rectal examinations, and in the use of enema nozzles and rectal thermometers. In fact, some personal lubricants were invented for these medical uses.

Sexual intercourse

A lubricant can be used to increase pleasure or reduce pain during sexual activity and may be used for lubricating the penis, dildo, vagina or anus before sexual intercourse. Personal lubricants are particularly useful for anal sex, vaginal intercourse when the woman experiences vaginal dryness, and vaginal intercourse when the woman's vagina is contracted. It is generally sufficient to apply a good drop of gel on the vaginal entrance; anal sex usually requires a more generous application, since the anus has less natural lubrication. There are also available combinations of personal lubricants with spermicides. Nonoxyol-9, contained in some spermicidal lubricants, can in rare cases cause irritation or other problems.

Masturbation

Males and females masturbate differently. While males do produce a lubricating fluid (Cowper's fluid), the informal name for this fluid, "pre-come" or "pre-cum", indicates that this may often be released only relatively shortly before orgasm or after intense manual stimulation. The use of lubricant is more common for circumcised men. A lubricant may be used to facilitate the use of certain sex toys, or with females as part of prolonged clitoral stimulation.