Many gay guys think that “lube”, is… well, just that – Lube. Wrong. Your own personal health is much more important, than an hour (really?) of what feels good. Thanks to researchers at UCLA, they have concluded that 4 of the 6 most widely used lubricants are, indeed toxic!
UCLA’s research subjects who used lubricants during anal sex were three times more likely to contract rectal sexually transmitted infections than those who had anal sex without lubricant, found UCLA researchers. This and one other study examining the effects of sexual lubricants used in anal sex were presented last month at the International Microbicides Conference; in which their last theme of their meeting in Pittsburgh was, “Microbicides: Building Bridges in HIV Prevention”.
However, the UCLA study examined the correlation between STI prevalence and lubricant use. A study for the Microbicide Trials Network, led by led by Charlene Dezzutti, of the the University of Pittsburgh and Magee-Women’s Research Institute, examined lubricants’ toxicity to the rectal lining.
CEO and founder of the lubricant company “Wet”, Michael Trysgtad, explained, “There are two main reasons to use a lubricant with anal (or vaginal) sex. One is to provide slip, decreasing friction and tearing to the delicate tissues. Two is to help prevent condoms from breaking.”
The anus does not secrete its own natural lubricants during intercourse, so the use of lubricating products helps prevent micro-tears in the rectal tissue. The study with the Microbicide Trials Network, however, found that many of the most popular brands of lubricants are toxic to rectal cells.
There are three basic types of lube: oil-based, water-based, and silicon-based. Oil-based lubes corrode latex, found in most condoms, and silicon-based lubes corrode silicon, found in many sex toys. Some types of silicon-based lubricants are also not compatible with latex, so water-based is seen as the most versatile lubricant.
Of the lubricants tested (Astroglide, Elbow Grease, ID Glide, KY Jelly and Wet Platinum, and PRÉ) all were water-based but Wet Platinum, which is silicone-based. Wet Platinum and PRÉ were the only lubes tested found to be non-toxic.
The toxicity of the other products is due to their higher concentration of dissolved salts and sugars. Because the rectal cells have a lower concentration of salts and sugars than the area outside of the cells (the lubricant), the cells undergo osmosis, the process where cells seek equilibrium by forcing water out to create balance with surrounding particles. These cells dehydrate, wither and die, which, in this case, strips the rectum of its layer of protective cells- the epithelium.
To give the product its texture and feel, water-based lubricants have higher amounts of glycerin, adding high levels of salts and sugars. As a latex-friendly silicon-based product, Wet Platinum does not have this high glycerin component, so the salt and sugar levels are more consistent with that of the rectal cells.
PRÉ is an isotonic lubricant, meaning it has the same concentration of sugars, salt, and water as human rectal cells. Because of this, it does not cause trauma to the epithelium.
The problem is that some isotonic lubricants are not as thick or jelly-like, and well, some people may not like that.
While the researchers say conclusions cannot be drawn on these studies alone, they extrapolate a connection between the two studies, suggesting that the toxicity of the lubricants not only injures the rectum, but also increases susceptibility to diseases, including HIV.
“Your epithelium protects you from your environment; it’s your most important barrier,” said Dezzutti. “If you break that barrier then you leave yourself even more open to pathogens, including HIV.”
So guys, think about it. Think about exactly which kind of lube you’re using and now make a clear, informed decision. If your body has experienced issues after sex, this could very well be a result from the kind of lube that you’ve been using.
