I. Lube, which is short for lubricant, is used in sexual play to reduce friction. There are several different kinds of lubricants, however, they can be broadly categorized into three main categories:

Water based - The general all purpose lube. It is safe for anal play, and it will not break down condoms or sex toys. It’s also easy to clean up.

Silicone based - Will not break down condoms and tends to last longer than water based lubes. Lasts so long that it is actually hard to clean up. Besides that, silicone lubes can break down certain sex toys over time, so if you are using toys, go for a water based lube.

Oil based (e.g. lotion or vaseline) - Not suggested for most sexual activity. Can deteriorate condoms and diaphragms, and can also leave a coating inside the vagina or rectum which can lead to infection. However, oil based lubes are safe for penises, and when you’re giving a handjob, they can make your hands soft and fragrant.

II. There are also several types of specialty lubes. These can be water or silicone based, and have different uses.

Numbing/desensitizing lubes - These generally contain benzocaine and are believed to help men stay erect longer, although they may cause decreased sexual feeling and a possible lack of pleasure for whoever uses them. Also, be mindful when using these lubes—just because you cannot feel pain does not mean damage isn’t being done. You should be especially careful during anal sex, in which numbing lubes are commonly used, because a lot of pain can mean something is wrong, and that penetration should stop.

Flavored lubes - These are good for oral sex, and sometimes come already on flavored condoms. Remember, oral sex should also be protected as well!

Spermicide Lubes - These are used to kill sperm as a form of birth control. They generally contain Nonoxynol-9 which causes irritation for some people. This irritation can raise the chance of infection.

With any lube, you should do a test spot on your skin before using it, to ensure there isn’t an allergic reaction or irritation. III. Links for more info!

http://www.aidsmap.com/Lubricants/page/1746243/

http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/what-lube

This article was written by Sexy Shanghai'er. Send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Fukagawa @ Flickr (Background)