The Lube Effect

As a culture, we’ve become more open to talking about sex and sexual health, and for the most part, this has been to our benefit. Teen pregnancy is down, while the trajectory for condom use is going up. Not to mention that our digital landscape today has evolved to being more inclusively sex-positive as well as a resourceful tool for sexual education. Still, there’s one sexual health product that remains surprisingly taboo, even though it theoretically would make our sex lives a lot better: lube. When you talk to people about their aversion to lube, the same critiques pop up over and over again: It tastes weird. It smells weird. It doesn’t seem necessary and it makes everything messy. 

For heterosexual people in particular, there seems to be a great deal of resistance (pun absolutely intended) to using lube. There’s certainly still some stigma surrounding the use of lubricants. Some women are too embarrassed to request it, while some men feel that if their partner isn’t producing enough natural lubricant, there’s something wrong with her,  the relationship, or with themselves. To them, needing to use lube is a sign that “I haven’t done the foreplay right/enough and she’s not physically ready to go, and I guess we need help.” Lube seems like you’re admitting defeat. 

This cultural aversion to lube is a problem for many reasons, chief among them that a lot of couples could actually benefit greatly from it. While we tend to think of vaginal dryness as something only the sexually disinterested and premenopausal experience, not all vaginas self-lubricate the same amount, and vaginal dryness is extremely common and for an incredibly wide variety of reasons, such as where you are in your menstrual cycle or what medication you’re taking. Some hormonal contraceptives, for instance, have been linked to vaginal dryness, ironically indicating that perhaps an effective way to prevent teens from having sex is to put them on birth control.

Here’s why you should consider using lube.

What does lube do for a woman? For the most part, women stay silent about pain or discomfort during sex, either out of embarrassment or fear of displeasing their partners. In a culture where female pleasure is often considered little more than an afterthought, this isn’t all that surprising — nor is it shocking that there would be stigma around a product that is largely intended to make sex more pleasurable and comfortable for women. To be clear, it’s completely normal to decide to use lube even if you naturally produce plenty of vaginal lubricant. The vagina wants what it wants! But if your vagina is dryer, then it’s an especially good idea to use lube whenever you’re participating in sexual activity that involves friction, such as when using sex toys (even externally) or during any kind of penetrative vaginal sex. Quanna’s water-based CBD lube Oomf is intended to alleviate discomfort and increase pleasure for women and people with vaginas. 

What does lube do for a man? Giving is just as important as receiving, so having lube handy for your sexual interactions not only elevates the experience for you both by ensuring everyone is having a discomfort-free time, but also shows that you are a considerate partner. But, what does lube do for a guy, specifically? If you want to take sex to new heights and perhaps help with any issues with erectile dysfunction, CBD lube like Oomf acts as a vasodilator, it opens up the blood vessels and brings more blood to the area, thus increasing arousal and decreasing discomfort. Tip here (sorry for the double entendre),but lube works wonders while masturbating, I mean no more dry hands or using moisturizing lotion that could contain unwanted chemicals on your penis or inside you. 

Lets address any other lube concerns and lube effects:

• Can lube cause itching?

Lubricant can make sex more enjoyable, but if you've ever felt itchy or uncomfortable shortly after using it, you may need to toss it out. It's possible to be allergic to any ingredient in a lubricant. Look out for any  rash or hives on any area of skin the lubricant touches, a burning sensation in or around the vagina, or anywhere that comes in contact with the lubricant, as well as vaginal discharge shortly after using lubricant.

• How does tingle lube work?

This light, water-based lubricant creates tingling, warming, and cooling sensations in all the right places, taking your pleasure to the next level.

• Does lube help prevent herpes?

You will only want to use either water-based lube or silicone lubes if you are using a condom. Both good options while using condoms for preventing the transmission of herpes, any other potential STI’s as they prevent friction and any tearing. 

• Can lube cause UTI?

Using a lubricant with a spermicide can cause UTI's, as are lubricants made with glycerin, sugar, xylitol or any sweetener that can become food for bacteria. It's also key to check the PH of your lubricant.

• Is using lube safe during pregnancy?

Yes, it's safe to use lube during pregnancy. Your cervix is tightly closed, so there's no danger of the lubricant reaching your baby. 

• Is lube safe to use when trying to conceive/ Does lube help you get pregnant?

Sperm-friendly lubricants are important when you're trying to conceive. Using common lubricants probably won't keep you from getting pregnant, but they can lower your chances for success. Regular lubricants have been shown in research to inhibit sperm movement, cause DNA damage, and even kill sperm.

• Does water based lube cause yeast infections/ Can lube cause thrush?

Water based lube is safe. Never use flavored lubes for vaginal intercourse—they contain sugar (glucose) and can cause yeast infections.

• Does durex lube prevent pregnancy?

Personal lubricant is not a contraceptive. Even though studies show that lube can impact sperm's ability to swim, it's always possible that unprotected sex could result in a pregnancy.

• Does lube go out of date?

Yes. Like every product, personal lubricants also have a shelf life. According to data from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the shelf life of lube is around one to three years.

• Does lube prevent pregnancy?

The type of lubricant you use can make a big difference when it comes to getting pregnant. While most lubricants don’t contain spermicides anymore. Many contain ingredients like petroleum, propylene glycol, glycerin, parabens, silicone, and Nonoxynol-9 (sometimes abbreviated as N-9). All of these ingredients can affect sperm motility — the ability of sperm to move properly through a woman’s reproductive tract. We recommend using a sperm-friendly, glycerin-free, PHP-balanced, isotonic lubricant.

If you have any questions or concerns about your personal lubricant and its interaction with STIs, fertility and pregnancy, we encourage you to consult with your physician or a healthcare professional beforehand.