Intimacy is a natural activity most couples engage in for comfort, pleasure, and procreation and sometimes requires the use of lubricants (substances that add moisture and reduce inter-genital friction) in order to prevent injuries or damage to the delicate cells in or around the genitals.
According to MedicalNewsToday, some examples of lubricants approved by health experts may include water-based lubricants, silicone-based lubricants, and Aloe vera gel. However, some people have resorted to using oil-based products like Vaseline or petroleum jelly without fully understanding the impact and dangers they may exert.
Here are some of the reasons why men and women should never use vaseline or petroleum as lubricants during intimacy:
1. Using petroleum jelly or Vaseline as lube helps to create a non-breathable barrier filled with moisture and also helps to trap microorganisms against the skin, hence sponsoring the sporadic multiplication of pathogenic bacteria or yeast in the female genitalia and leading to bacterial vaginosis (BV) or yeast infection.
2. Petroleum jelly, when used concurrently with latex condoms, can weaken the latex, making it more susceptible to breakage or tearing, reducing its effectiveness as a contraceptive, and putting users at a higher risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or unintended pregnancies.
3. Using Vaseline or petroleum jelly as sexual lubricants may interfere with the body's natural lubrication process, especially in the female genitalia.
4. Another disadvantage of using petroleum jelly and Vaseline as lube during intimacy is that they may stain bed covers and are difficult to remove from the body owing to their greasy nature.
5. Vaseline and petroleum jelly contain mineral oil and various ingredients that, when used on or around the sensitive skin of the female genitalia, can trigger mild to severe allergic responses like itching, irritations, and redness.
Furthermore, the use of dairy products, e.g., sheer butter, cosmetics, e.g., body or facial creams, baby oils, cooking oil, and plant oil are equally discouraged as lubricants during intimacy as they may exhibit similar downsides like Vaseline or petroleum jelly.
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