Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of LubeHow Lube WorksLube SafetyHow to Choose LubeWhere to BuyFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Types of Lube

How Lube Works

Lube Safety

How to Choose Lube

Where to Buy

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal lubricant or lube is a liquid or gel that is used to reduce friction and irritation during sexual activity. Lube can be used during almost any type of sex, including penis-in-vagina penetration,anal sex, sex toy play with or without a partner, andmasturbation.

While many people produce their own natural lubricant, it’s not always enough, and the addition of lube can make sex more enjoyable.

Humans have been using personal lubricants for centuries, as long ago as 350 BCE, when olive oil was the lube of choice.Manufactured lube hit the market in 1919 with the introduction of KY Jelly, which was originally created to be a surgical lubricant.

This article will go over what lube is, how it’s used, and tips for choosing a lube.

(Leander Baerenz/Getty Images)

legs on bedsheet

What Are the Health Benefits of Sex?

There are many types of lube, but they all fall into three broad categories.

Should You Use Lubricated Condoms?

Lube is especially helpful in conjunction withcondomuse, since it reduces friction, and therefore the risk of breakage that may result in an unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection.It’s even recommended for use with pre-lubricated condoms since it allows partners to control the degree of slipperiness and adjust it to their preferred level of comfort.

When using lube along with anexternal condom(previously referred to as a “male” condom), apply it to theoutsideof the condom—not directly on the shaft of the penis.With aninternal condom(formerly referred to as a “female” condom), you may want to apply lube both inside and outside the condom for greater comfort, regardless of whether it is pre-lubricated.

What to Do When Having Sex Hurts

In general, lube is considered a low-risk product. However, there is research to suggest lube with high pH levels and/or high osmolality (the concentration of particles and minerals in a liquid) might damage the top layer of vaginal and anal tissues.Any time tissue is torn or damaged during sex, the risk of transmission of asexually transmitted infection (STIs), includingHIV, increases.

Researchers have also pinpointed a particular ingredient in some lubes known asPolyquaternium-15(a formaldehyde-releasing preservative) that enhances HIV replication.In early 2023, Astroglide removed this ingredient from its lube products.

Could Your Personal Lubricant Increase HIV Risk?

There are many types of lube as well as different ways to use lube. The product that’s best for you depends on your needs and preferences. That said, here are some general tips for choosing lube:

Another element of lube selection to consider is price. As with most personal care products, lubes have a wide price range.

Many stores have their own generic brands, like Equate, that make lubes that usually cost less than brand-name products.

Here are just a few examples of popular lube brands:

You can buy lube at big box stores, pharmacies, grocery stores, specialty stores, and online.

The 8 Best Lubes of 2023

A Word From Verywell

While lube is widely available in pharmacies and big-box stores, there’s often confusion about what lube is. Some may think it’s only forpeople in menopauseor that there’s something wrong with someone who’s unable to get “wet enough” during sex on their own. Instead, think of lube as something that not only makes sex more enjoyable and comfortable but also safer.

What is the Real Risk of HIV From Vaginal Sex?

Frequently Asked QuestionsUsing lube is a personal choice, but many people find that it’s a helpful—and healthy—part of their sex life. That said, if you have sensitive skin or certain conditions, it’s important to find a lube that’s right for you. That might mean finding products that don’t have certain irritating ingredients and making sure that you cleanse your skin thoroughly after using the product.The body makes natural lubricant, but it’s not always enough. Sometimes, certain health conditions or changes related togetting oldercan decrease the natural production of lubricant. In these cases, you may need to use lube to make sex comfortable.If you’re experiencing discomfort during sex because there’s too much friction, using lube can help. It can also be useful for specific kinds of sex.Some people just like to add lube to their sex life for the novelty of it or to enhance their sexual experience even if they don’t need its lubricating effect.

Using lube is a personal choice, but many people find that it’s a helpful—and healthy—part of their sex life. That said, if you have sensitive skin or certain conditions, it’s important to find a lube that’s right for you. That might mean finding products that don’t have certain irritating ingredients and making sure that you cleanse your skin thoroughly after using the product.

The body makes natural lubricant, but it’s not always enough. Sometimes, certain health conditions or changes related togetting oldercan decrease the natural production of lubricant. In these cases, you may need to use lube to make sex comfortable.

If you’re experiencing discomfort during sex because there’s too much friction, using lube can help. It can also be useful for specific kinds of sex.Some people just like to add lube to their sex life for the novelty of it or to enhance their sexual experience even if they don’t need its lubricating effect.

If you’re experiencing discomfort during sex because there’s too much friction, using lube can help. It can also be useful for specific kinds of sex.

Some people just like to add lube to their sex life for the novelty of it or to enhance their sexual experience even if they don’t need its lubricating effect.

4 Questions to Ask a New Partner Before You Have Sex

12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Miranda EP, Taniguchi H, Cao DL, Hald GM, Jannini EA, Mulhall JP.Application of sex aids in men with sexual dysfunction: A review.J Sex Med. 2019;16(6):767-780. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.03.265Johnson & Johnson.Timeline of our story.Edwards D, Panay N.Treating vulvovaginal atrophy/genitourinary syndrome of menopause: How important is vaginal lubricant and moisturizer composition?Climacteric. 2016;19(2):151-161. doi:10.3109/13697137.2015.1124259Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center.You asked it: Can you use lube with condoms?The North American Menopause Society.MenoNote.Cornell Health.Condoms and lubricants.World Health Organization.Use and procurement of additional lubricants for male and female condoms: WHO/UNFPA/FHI360 Advisory note.Gorbach PM, Weiss RE, Fuchs E, et al.The slippery slope: Lubricant use and rectal sexually transmitted infections: A newly identified risk.Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2012;39(1):59-64. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318235502bBegay O, Jean-Pierre N, Abraham CJ, et al.Identification of personal lubricants that can cause rectal epithelial cell damage and enhance HIV type 1 replication in vitro.AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. 2011;27(9):1019-1024. doi:10.1089/aid.2010.0252Astroglide.Astroglide liquid.Markram J, Griessel L, Girdler‐Brown B, Outhoff K.Sperm‐friendly lubricant: Fact or fiction.Intl J Gynecology & Obste. 2022;159(1):111-115. doi:10.1002/ijgo.14136Mowat A, Newton C, Boothroyd C, Demmers K, Fleming S.The effects of vaginal lubricants on sperm function: An in vitro analysis. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2014;31(3):333-339. doi:10.1007/s10815-013-0168-x

12 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Miranda EP, Taniguchi H, Cao DL, Hald GM, Jannini EA, Mulhall JP.Application of sex aids in men with sexual dysfunction: A review.J Sex Med. 2019;16(6):767-780. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.03.265Johnson & Johnson.Timeline of our story.Edwards D, Panay N.Treating vulvovaginal atrophy/genitourinary syndrome of menopause: How important is vaginal lubricant and moisturizer composition?Climacteric. 2016;19(2):151-161. doi:10.3109/13697137.2015.1124259Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center.You asked it: Can you use lube with condoms?The North American Menopause Society.MenoNote.Cornell Health.Condoms and lubricants.World Health Organization.Use and procurement of additional lubricants for male and female condoms: WHO/UNFPA/FHI360 Advisory note.Gorbach PM, Weiss RE, Fuchs E, et al.The slippery slope: Lubricant use and rectal sexually transmitted infections: A newly identified risk.Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2012;39(1):59-64. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318235502bBegay O, Jean-Pierre N, Abraham CJ, et al.Identification of personal lubricants that can cause rectal epithelial cell damage and enhance HIV type 1 replication in vitro.AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. 2011;27(9):1019-1024. doi:10.1089/aid.2010.0252Astroglide.Astroglide liquid.Markram J, Griessel L, Girdler‐Brown B, Outhoff K.Sperm‐friendly lubricant: Fact or fiction.Intl J Gynecology & Obste. 2022;159(1):111-115. doi:10.1002/ijgo.14136Mowat A, Newton C, Boothroyd C, Demmers K, Fleming S.The effects of vaginal lubricants on sperm function: An in vitro analysis. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2014;31(3):333-339. doi:10.1007/s10815-013-0168-x

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Miranda EP, Taniguchi H, Cao DL, Hald GM, Jannini EA, Mulhall JP.Application of sex aids in men with sexual dysfunction: A review.J Sex Med. 2019;16(6):767-780. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.03.265Johnson & Johnson.Timeline of our story.Edwards D, Panay N.Treating vulvovaginal atrophy/genitourinary syndrome of menopause: How important is vaginal lubricant and moisturizer composition?Climacteric. 2016;19(2):151-161. doi:10.3109/13697137.2015.1124259Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center.You asked it: Can you use lube with condoms?The North American Menopause Society.MenoNote.Cornell Health.Condoms and lubricants.World Health Organization.Use and procurement of additional lubricants for male and female condoms: WHO/UNFPA/FHI360 Advisory note.Gorbach PM, Weiss RE, Fuchs E, et al.The slippery slope: Lubricant use and rectal sexually transmitted infections: A newly identified risk.Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2012;39(1):59-64. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318235502bBegay O, Jean-Pierre N, Abraham CJ, et al.Identification of personal lubricants that can cause rectal epithelial cell damage and enhance HIV type 1 replication in vitro.AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. 2011;27(9):1019-1024. doi:10.1089/aid.2010.0252Astroglide.Astroglide liquid.Markram J, Griessel L, Girdler‐Brown B, Outhoff K.Sperm‐friendly lubricant: Fact or fiction.Intl J Gynecology & Obste. 2022;159(1):111-115. doi:10.1002/ijgo.14136Mowat A, Newton C, Boothroyd C, Demmers K, Fleming S.The effects of vaginal lubricants on sperm function: An in vitro analysis. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2014;31(3):333-339. doi:10.1007/s10815-013-0168-x

Miranda EP, Taniguchi H, Cao DL, Hald GM, Jannini EA, Mulhall JP.Application of sex aids in men with sexual dysfunction: A review.J Sex Med. 2019;16(6):767-780. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.03.265

Johnson & Johnson.Timeline of our story.

Edwards D, Panay N.Treating vulvovaginal atrophy/genitourinary syndrome of menopause: How important is vaginal lubricant and moisturizer composition?Climacteric. 2016;19(2):151-161. doi:10.3109/13697137.2015.1124259

Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center.You asked it: Can you use lube with condoms?

The North American Menopause Society.MenoNote.

Cornell Health.Condoms and lubricants.

World Health Organization.Use and procurement of additional lubricants for male and female condoms: WHO/UNFPA/FHI360 Advisory note.

Gorbach PM, Weiss RE, Fuchs E, et al.The slippery slope: Lubricant use and rectal sexually transmitted infections: A newly identified risk.Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2012;39(1):59-64. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318235502b

Begay O, Jean-Pierre N, Abraham CJ, et al.Identification of personal lubricants that can cause rectal epithelial cell damage and enhance HIV type 1 replication in vitro.AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. 2011;27(9):1019-1024. doi:10.1089/aid.2010.0252

Astroglide.Astroglide liquid.

Markram J, Griessel L, Girdler‐Brown B, Outhoff K.Sperm‐friendly lubricant: Fact or fiction.Intl J Gynecology & Obste. 2022;159(1):111-115. doi:10.1002/ijgo.14136

Mowat A, Newton C, Boothroyd C, Demmers K, Fleming S.The effects of vaginal lubricants on sperm function: An in vitro analysis. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2014;31(3):333-339. doi:10.1007/s10815-013-0168-x

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