What you need to know about lube, from expiration to conceiving

Fun fact: K-Y Jelly, one of the most popular lubricant brands on the market, was created in 1904 and used not for sex, but as a surgical aid. When people did catch on that this jelly could be used in sex, it was sold in pharmacies — by prescription only. That changed in 1980, and since then, tons of other brands of lubricant have flooded the market.

Many people having sex (including solo sex) know that lube is a must-have in their pleasure tool kit. Lube can make sex less likely to cause uncomfortable friction, which can result in pain or injury. After all, people with vaginas don’t always make enough natural lubrication, even when they are turned on. For those having anal sex, lubricant is vital as the anus does not make its own natural lubrication.

“A myth surrounding lube is that people only use lube when something is not quite working correctly,” says Dr. Laura Purdy, chief medical officer at Wisp. “This couldn’t be further from the truth. Many people use lube to make things feel more natural, and lube can be your best friend during sex.”

Yet while lube may be something you think about when it comes to sex, you may not know everything about this important product. Here are five facts everyone should know about lube.

Not all lubes are created equal. According to women’s health expert Dr. Jennifer Wider, “oil-based lubricants can destroy the integrity of latex condoms.” That includes anything with oil in it, such as lotion or petroleum jelly. Fortunately, water-based or silicone lube is perfectly fine to use with condoms — which is important since condoms are the only contraceptive that helps protect against both sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.

It’s also a good idea to use lube while playing with sex toys, says Wider, as it “helps lower friction.” However, you want to check what your toys are made of prior to lubing up. (Let’s be real: Good sex toys don’t exactly come cheap.)

For example, you shouldn’t use silicone-based lube with silicone sex toys, explains Purdy, because “silicone dissolves silicone so silicone-based lubes will ruin your toys.” Water-based lubes are also very popular, she says, “because they work with condoms and sex toys and are mess-free.”

Another fun fact: Before lube hit the market, people often used Crisco, olive oil or Vaseline in its place, notes Wider. Though plenty of lubes are available now, Purdy says, it’s still possible to use natural oils such as coconut and olive oil instead.

However, keep in mind that these oils can damage condoms, and there is some evidence that suggests using oil-based lubricants may be more difficult for one’s vagina to clean out naturally, disrupting pH balance and possibly leading to an infection (not to mention potentially staining your sheets).

"Natural oils should not be used as a lubricant if you are prone to vaginal infections, including yeast infections," explains Dr. Brian Levine, a reproductive endocrinologist and founding partner and practice director of CCRM Fertility of New York. "The exact reason why some individuals are more susceptible to infections remains unclear, but it is important to take precautions if you fall into this category."

It’s also important to ensure that you do not have any skin irritation issues with your chosen natural lube.

“If you really want to use an organic product such as coconut or olive oil, you should do a patch test somewhere on your skin, such as your forearm, to ensure the product does not cause irritation, itching or any other type of reaction,” suggests Purdy.

Purdy says that the use of lube doesn’t have an impact on one’s ability to conceive. However, it is possible for some lubricants — including just saliva — to slow down sperm movement, according to the Mayo Clinic. One way to avoid this is to use lube that is hydroxyethyl cellulose-based, which is the most similar in consistency and viscosity to natural vaginal mucus. You can also use lubes labeled “fertility-friendly” or “sperm-friendly,” which have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

"These lubricants must undergo extensive testing to ensure their safety for sperm, eggs and embryos in order to obtain FDA clearance," notes Levine. "Furthermore, the manufacturer of a fertility lubricant is obligated to test each batch of their product to confirm that it does not compromise sperm motility, survival or integrity."

It’s important to note that some lubes contain spermicide, which is intended as a defense against pregnancy. These lubricants are specifically marketed for this purpose, however.

That old bottle of lube in your drawer may need refreshing, says Wider, who notes that lube “can and does expire,” so make sure to check the date on your bottle.

“It is not as effective if expired and could possibly cause irritation,” she explains.

This is especially important if you are using lubricant that has antisperm properties. Nonoxynol-9 and other kinds of spermicide would be less potent after an expiration date, which could lead to unwanted pregnancy.

“Lube’s purpose is to make things more slippery and have less friction, so there are some unconventional uses for lube as well,” says Purdy. “I’ve heard of people using it to loosen rings off their fingers or loosen a tight doorknob. I’ve also heard some people use lube to prevent chafing or blistering, such as when running for long distances or breaking in new shoes.”

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