I think that this study, and the hype around it, is dangerous [...]]]> There is a new lube study out there, that the media has really picked up on.  According to it, and the media, water-based lube used during anal sex is dangerous, and IF one is to use lube at all, they should use silicone.

I think that this study, and the hype around it, is dangerous itself.  I see a backlash of people choosing to not use lube during anal, which is dangerous. I see people using silicone lube with silicone toys, not know that this is a bad plan. I see doctors telling patients not to use silicone toys because they aren’t silicone lube compatible. I see a lot of issues. I’m still trying to figure out the best way to post something about this.

In the mean time, Dr. Charlie Glickman recently wrote a great blog post about it this whole subject, and I really think you should read it until I’m ready to post about my thoughts. He has a lot of similar views as I do regarding this, and is an over all sex education rock star.

So for now, I believe that people should still use water-based and/or silicone-based lubes for anal sex, because there are better quality lubes out there than KY and Astroglide that weren’t done as part of the research. Because Maximus, and Sliquid Organics and other great lubes out there are still great lubes. Because not using lube during anal play can tear the anal tissue and increases the risk of infections and STI transmission in and of itself.

Is the research possibly valid? Yes. Does there need to be a LOT more research on this and the interpretation of what said research means before I think people should stop using water-based lubes before anal sex.

More to come (no pun intended)…

-Shanna

This post, What to do about LUBE, originally appeared on Shanna Katz M.Ed, ACS -- Board Certified Sexologist and Sexuality Educator on May 31, 2010.