Vaginal lubricants are usually used to make sex more comfortable and enjoyable. This is because vaginal lubricants can help reduce pain during intercourse and facilitate the penetration process.
Vaginal lubricants are generally recommended for women with dry vaginal conditions. This condition can cause difficult penis penetration and pain during intercourse in women.
Vaginal dryness can be triggered by increasing age or when a woman enters menopause. This problem can also be caused by an autoimmune disease, such as Sjögren's syndrome, or a decrease in the hormone estrogen due to having just given birth, smoking a lot, having surgery to remove the ovaries, or a side effect of medications, such as chemotherapy.
In addition to these natural factors, vaginal dryness can occur due to the habit of cleaning the vagina with soap or special washing fluids (vaginal douche). Instead of making the vagina clean, this can actually affect the chemical balance of the vagina, causing inflammation.
Functions and Types of Vaginal Lubricants
In addition to facilitating penetration or reducing the friction effect of the penis during sexual intercourse, vaginal lubricants can be used as a lubricant when masturbating or using sexual aids (sex toys).
Meanwhile, for medical examination purposes, vaginal lubricants are commonly used in transvaginal ultrasound procedures.
Vaginal lubricant products sold in the market have different types depending on the basic ingredients, including:
1. Water
Most vaginal lubricating products are made of water-based ingredients (water-based lubricants). This type of lubricant is relatively safe to use because it does not damage the lining of the condom.
Among other types of lubricants, water-based vaginal lubricants are more popular because they are safe to use on the skin, do not stain bed linens, and are easy to clean.
2. Silicone
Vaginal lubricants can last longer than water-based ones because they cannot be absorbed by the skin. In addition, vaginal lubricants made from silicone are more slippery, so the sensation on the skin will also feel different.
However, it will take a lot of effort to clean it if it gets stuck to the sheets.
3. Oil
Vaginal lubricants made from oil are generally less preferred because they can damage the lining of condoms, especially condoms made of latex. If this happens, the effectiveness of condoms to prevent pregnancy and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases may decrease.
As mentioned above, vaginal lubricants can help you enjoy sex more, by minimizing friction and preventing sores or irritation. If you feel the need to use vaginal lubricants, use them wisely.
Be sure to always read the packaging labels for vaginal lubricants to know how to use them properly. If you feel that it is not suitable for a certain lubricant product, you can replace it with another brand.
Vaginal lubricants generally do not cause serious side effects. Even so, the use of certain vaginal lubricating products can affect the movement of sperm to fertilize an egg, thereby potentially reducing the success of pregnancy.
Vaginal dryness that occurs occasionally is generally not a dangerous thing. However, if you feel you must always use vaginal lubricants during sex, even though you are not yet menopausal, this condition should be checked by a doctor.