Why use plenty of water-based lubricant?

Condoms are vital to safer sex. They act as a barrier to body fluids, and help to protect us from HIV. But often people use condoms `dry', that is without any lubricant on them, and this can create problems. The condom is more likely to slip, or tear, because of increased friction.

Anal sex without lubricant might not only be hugely painful, it also greatly increases the risk of tears and cuts to the lining of the rectum as well as the risk of breakage of the condom.

During vaginal sex, a woman produces natural lubricating fluids, but these may not be enough for safer condom use. The amount of fluid a woman produces changes throughout the menstrual cycle, and is influenced by several factors. It is quite natural for women to need additional lubrication for comfort as well as for safer sex.

The most important thing to remember is: - don't use oil-based lubricants with condoms: they weaken condoms drastically and dangerously within minutes! An oil-covered condom will often split during intercourse, so that you never realise it is burst or torn until after the event. If you  only have oil-based lubricant to hand, don't use it. Spit is preferable.

On the other hand it is important to ensure that you are not having `dry sex'. The increased friction from this puts extra strain on the condom. Adequate lubrication can sometimes be ensured in vaginal intercourse by means of plenty of `foreplay' but this is not always effective. Spit or water are not very good lubricants.

The wrong lubricants: oil-based

Anything made of rubber, from tyres to condoms, begins to rot and split when it comes into contact with anything oil-based. For many years, people have used oil-based `lubricants' that are found in any home.

But if you want to practice safer sex, or help to avoid pregnancy, by using condoms, then you should switch to using water-based lubricants. Examples of the wrong lubricants are:

• Oil
• Baby oil
• Corn oil
• Butter
• Margarine
• Crisco and other `vegetable fats'
• Vaseline
• Petroleum jelly
• Hand cream and body lotion.

It is important not to rely upon whether the lubricant will wash off your hands or not. There are certain lubricants that are oil-based which will wash off, giving the false impression that they are water-based.

Many ointments, creams, gels, vaginal pessaries or suppositories come in an oil-based medium as well. Your doctor will be able to tell you which prescribed treatments are oil-based. A leaflet detailing which ones are oil-based is also produced by Durex.

If you have to use oil-based products, then you may want to consider using a Femidom instead of condoms (see female condoms and spermicides below).

The right lubricants: water-based

Liquid Silk             

• Doesn’t contain glycerine, available in sachets/pump

Eros                      

• Silicone-based, oil-free formulation — safe for use with all condoms

ID Millenium              

• Silicone-based

ID Pleasure                

• Silicone-based, contains amino acid Arginine

Glide                     

• Water-based

Wet Stuff               

• Water-based lubricant, available in bottle/tube/pump/sachets

Oncore                 

• "Homeopathic", water-based gel, available in tube/pump

Boots Lubricating Jelly      

• Water-based 

K-Y Jelly               

• Water-based

K-Y Liquid            

• Water-based, ideal for use with condoms

You can buy water-based lubricants, such as KY, Wet Stuff, Comfort, Probe, Astroglide or 121 at many chemists.

The new silicone-based lubricants such as Millennium ID and Eros are more expensive than water-based ones. But they are also condom-friendly, do not feel sticky or dry out so fast, and are economical (a little goes a long way).

There are also lubricants, such as Boots's own brand which explain that they are water-based on the packaging. Some people like different lubes because they stay wet for longer, and you might want to experiment.

Replens

A recently-launched product on the market, Replens is a `super lubricant', designed to help post-menopausal women who find that their vaginal juices are too limited to help with sexual intercourse, or who are generally dry and need lubrication. Replens lasts for a long time, and although based on palm oil, it does not affect rubber. Tests by Durex on Replens with condoms registered no damage.

Don't use nonoxynol-9 coated condoms

In September 2002 the Global Campaign for Microbicides launched a public 'Call to discontinue nonoxynol-9 for rectal use'. This is based on concerns, set out by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, that this widely-used spermicide causes damage to the lining of the rectum when used for anal sex, significantly increasing the risk of HIV and other STI transmission.

The call has been backed by leading scientists in the field and by many HIV, AIDS, gay and women's organisations including all of the main microbicide advocacy groups, the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amFAR), the Family Planning Association (UK), International HIV/AIDS Alliance, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, National AIDS Trust, Terrence Higgins Trust, and the US Gay and Lesbian Medical Association.

The call demands that manufacturers discontinue the sale of condoms and sexual lubricants containing nonoxynol-9, while continuing to supply over-the-counter spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 in forms designed for vaginal use. The argument is that a public education campaign, to persuade individual consumers to check the labels and avoid products containing nonoxynol-9, would not be as effective in bringing about change as a simple change to the products.

While gay men may generally be at the highest risk of HIV transmission through anal sex, there are many heterosexual couples who sometimes have anal sex and therefore many women who are also potentially at risk.