Condoms, both male and female, help lower the risk of getting an STD, but lubrication is what makes sex feel good. Lubrication helps lower the risk of getting an STD by reducing the risk of the condom breaking or slipping out of place. Lube also decreases the risk of creating tiny cuts or abrasions which can let in STDs.
Some women feel that condoms "dry" their vaginal fluids quickly, making them feel sore or tender during intercourse. Inadequately lubricated intercourse can create tiny scratches or tears in the vagina that can increase the vulnerability to infection. And the rectum is also vulnerable to these tears because of the type of tissue there and its elasticity.
Lubrication used in the following ways can help limit these tears and make condoms feel better.
- A little bit of lube (lubricant) on the head of the penis before putting the condom on will increase sensitivity to the penis. (Don't put the lube all over the penis or the condom will slip off.)
- Lube on the outside of the male condom, in the vagina or around the anus will help make things more slippery.
- Female condoms are lubricated in the package and come with extra lube. They block a woman's natural fluids so extra lube is usually needed for vaginal sex.
- If the female condom starts to squeak or the penis starts to push the outer ring into the vagina, more lube should be used and should be put either into the condom or onto the penis (the latter may be easier).
Different types of lubricants work with different types of condoms. Some are safe for use with latex or polyurethane condoms whereas others (oil based) weaken and destroy the latex, causing the condoms to break.
Lubricants Safe for Use with Latex Condoms (not a complete list):
- Glycerin
- Water
- Wet ®
- Spermicide
- Aloe-9 ®
- Aqualude ®
- Astroglide ®
- deLube ®
- ForPlay ®
- Gynol II ®
- KY Jelly ®
- KY Liquid ®
- PrePair ®
- Probe ®
- Touch ®
- Eros
Lubricants Not Safe for Use with Latex (not a complete list):
- Baby Oil
- Cold Cream
- Edible Oils (like olive, peanut, corn, etc.)
- Hand or Body Lotions
- Massage Oils
- Mineral Oil
- Petroleum Jelly (Vasoline ®)
- Shortening (Crisco ®)
- Suntan Oils/Lotions
- Whipped Cream
- Cornhuskers ®
- Bag Balm ®
- Certain Vaginal Yeast Infection Treatments
- Butter/Margerine
Nonoxynol 9 and the Risk of STDS
Nonoxynol 9 is a chemical that kills sperms to prevent pregnancies and is contained in many contraceptive products and spermicides available in Canada. It is found in: Advantage 24 contraceptive gel, Delfen foam, KY Plus Jelly spermicidal lubricant, Protectaid contraceptive sponge and Ramses and Durex brands of condoms with spermicide. Trials have found that Nonoxynol 9 can cause inflammatory changes and lesions in mucosal surfaces when used in the vagina or rectum. These changes can act as entry points for HIV and other STDs. The best STD and HIV barrier, therefore, is a male or female condom without Nonoxynol 9. However, a condom lubricated with Nonoxynol 9 is better than using no condom at all.
Nonoxynol 9 has been studied as a microbicide (chemical substances that kill viruses and bacteria) for the prevention of STDs. The most recent evidence is that Nonoxynol 9 should not be promoted as an effective means of HIV prevention. In fact, it may increase the risk of HIV transmission.
In this section:
How Can I Reduce My Risks?
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