What You Need To Know About Vaginal Lubes
There are 2 factors everyone should consider when purchasing lubricants:
“If you research the product and ingredients, pH and osmolality are not available be skeptical that it is safe for your body and the environment”
1. pH
2. Osmolality.
This is something that will be absorbed in your skin and mucous membranes which are highly permeable and can get into your bloodstream. While glide and longevity are factors to consider, you should care more about keeping your vagina, and your body, optimally healthy.
pH: Make sure it is roughly equivalent to that of the vagina, which is more acidic than the rest of your body.
Your lubrication should have a pH somewhere from 3.5-5.0. If the pH of the lubricant is below 3.8 or above 5 this means that it could affect the acidity of your vagina and wreak all sorts of havoc. It could kill healthy bacteria and may make you prone to more infections, irritation, or even cause pain. The WHO recommends using a lubricant with a pH of 4.5.
Osmolality: The Lower The Better
Remember osmosis from high school chemistry? Well basically it means that water wants to move to where there is less of it, meaning from lower levels of osmolality to higher levels of osmolality. This means that if you use a lubricant with a very high osmolality, at first it may feel really slippery but after a little bit it will draw water out of the cells of your vagina leaving it dry and creating MORE friction! The World Health Organization recommends using a lubricant an osmolality below 1200 mOsm/kg.
PHYSICAL THERAPIST APPROVED: Vagina Friendly Lubricants
Women’s Voices for the Earth has put together a very helpful list of products and their osmolality and PH. They also have resources about menstrual hygiene.
THE WINNER: Good Clean Love Water Based Lubricant.
A word on Fertility
Semen has a higher pH, and sperm swim better in this basic environment, so if you are looking to get pregnant it is well worth finding a fertility- friendly lubrication.
Some examples: Astroglide TTC, Conceive Plus, Pre-seed, Yes Baby.