Vaginal lubricants can actually cause these 3 health risks

Health risks of using vaginal lubricants for sex

Basically, the use of vaginal lubricants is safe if you are careful enough in choosing lubricating products. However, like other chemicals, lubricants can trigger side effects. Especially if your vaginal condition is not good, for example because you are experiencing a bacterial infection after menstruation. This is the risk that may occur if you use lubricants for sex.

1. Bacterial vaginal infection

Vaginal bacterial infection, also known as bacterial vaginosis , occurs when the balance of flora (ie colonies of good bacteria and bad bacteria) in the vagina is disturbed. If there are more bad bacteria, the good bacteria in your vagina lose and you get an infection. Symptoms include vaginal itching, odor, and abnormal vaginal discharge.

This disease can occur because the chemical in the lubricant has a pH that does not match the pH level of the vagina. Even though normal pH levels are needed to maintain the balance of the vaginal flora. As a result, chemical lubricants actually kill the good bacteria that are in charge of protecting your sex organs. This is evidenced by the team of experts who published their research in the journal PLoS One.

2. Fungal infection

Mold or yeast can also attack your female area. Like bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection also occurs due to an imbalance of the vaginal flora. The reason is, good bacteria play an important role in preventing the growth of fungi. Without good bacteria, you are more susceptible to fungal infections.

Symptoms of a yeast infection in the vagina that need to be watched out for include vaginal itching and white bumps appearing in your intimate area.

Apart from the fact that lubricants can change normal vaginal pH levels, the health site WebMD states that the glycerin content in certain vaginal lubricant products actually triggers yeast growth. However, further research is still needed to prove the dangers of glycerin for the vagina.

3. Transmission of venereal diseases

Be careful, lubricants can increase your risk of contracting various types of sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and even HIV / AIDS.

According to research in the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases in 2012, this is because some lubricating products can cause damage to cells in the vaginal wall, making you more susceptible to disease.

Fortunately, the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases due to the use of lubricants is very rare. Especially if you have safe sex, for example, keep using a condom and don't change sexual partners.

What should be done to overcome the risks caused by using vaginal lubricants?

Take it easy, most cases of infection due to the use of sex lubricants can be resolved quite easily. Check out the tips below.

Maintain vaginal cleanliness

The symptoms of vaginal infection such as vaginal itching and odor are certainly very disturbing. For that, you must routinely clean the vagina every day with warm water.

In order to heal faster, you can also use an antiseptic vaginal cleanser when washing your female area. Antiseptic products for the vagina can help clean bacteria, germs, and other infectious organisms because they contain safe active ingredients, namely povidone-iodine .

Let your vagina "breathe"

While you are recuperating, make sure your feminine area is well ventilated. The problem is, a vagina that is moist or warm can be an ideal place for bacteria or fungi to breed.

For that, choose cotton underwear and the right size, not too tight. Also avoid clothes or pants that are too tight, tight, or thick. If you happen to be menstruating, you should regularly change your sanitary napkins so that your vagina is not damp and becomes a nest of bacteria.

see a doctor

You should immediately check with a gynecologist or skin and genital specialist if symptoms appear that bother you. Follow your doctor's advice and take the prescribed medication as directed.