Lubrication, especially vaginal lubrication is an important part of sexual arousal. It readies the vagina for penetration and reduces any accompanying friction or irritation. In this regard, a medical expert has warned against the practice of using saliva as a lubricant during sex.
Dr Kolade Johnson who works in a private hospital told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Ilorin that if anyone with a mouth sore use saliva as a lubricant, the partner would be exposed to genital herpes.
He said other diseases that could arise from using saliva as sex lubricant include Human Papilo Virus (HPV), syphilis, chlamydia and even gonorrhoea among others.
The medical expert said it could be worse for women as saliva could upset the vagina environment to cause vaginal or yeast infections.
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“Saliva cannot even be as slippery as expected which can easily cause tear because it gets dried up easily. Also, if the person has bad breath it can cause horrible smelling discharge.”
The doctor advises that couples should engage in foreplay before sex as this helps to create lubrication in the vagina. However, in an instance where foreplay doesn’t achieve the desired result, Dr Johnson proffers that one should get a lubricant from a registered pharmacy.
“So, the best thing is to engage in foreplay to get wet before the real action. But if that is not attainable, get a lubricant in registered pharmacies and not popular chemists around or people hawking drugs”
Artificial lubricants reduce vaginal dryness. Lubes are available in many different textures, flavours, and materials to suit a person’s needs and preferences.
Lubes come in a variety of bases; water, silicone and oil.
Water:
Water-based lubricants containing glycerin are popular. However, glycerin-free options may be more suitable for people who get frequent yeast infections.
Silicone:
Silicone-based lubricants last longer than water-based lubricants, making them a good option for people with severe vaginal dryness or a history of pain during sex. They are not safe to use with silicone sex toys, though, and they can be greasy.
Oil:
Oil-based lubricants include many readily available products, such as kitchen oils. They are usually edible and are safe for the vagina, but they can be messy. Synthetic oil-based lubricants, such as mineral oil and petroleum jelly, can work well but may also irritate the vulva.
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