[P813]Public Health Personal Statement

Every woman needs to be knowledgeable about personal lubricant products. Whether used for alleviating physical health problems or for improving sexual intimacy, millions of women use personal lubricants every day. There are many, many brands and types of personal lubricants on the market. Some knowledge of the ingredients and intended use of these brands is essential to choosing the right lubricant for you.

There is no escaping the fact that all women could benefit by occasional use of a personal lubricant product. Most women use a personal lubricant product regularly for either vaginal dryness of sexual intimacy. Vaginal dryness can be caused by many factors, among them hormone fluctuation, pregnancy, breast feeding, pre- and post-menopause, oral contraceptives, medications such as anti-depressants and decongestants, and chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Related dryness during sexual intimacy can e caused by any one of the above factors, but is often the simple consequence of a woman's sexual arousal rate being slower than that of her partner. In either situation, dryness can be very irritating and painful, and is a common condition among all sexually active adult women. A personal lubricant can significantly enhance the pleasure of sexual intercourse and overall sexual intimacy by alleviating painful dryness.

Research indicates that 95% of all adult women suffer from occasional vaginal dryness. More frequent dryness problems are experienced by 73 million sexually active women in the U.S between the ages of 18 and 75, and by the 47 million women in the child bearing years of 18 to 39. 54% of those sexually active women (39 million) also express a desire to improve sexual intimacy and performance in their relationships. For these sexually active women, personal lubricant products are an inexpensive solution to vaginal dryness symptoms.

Many other women are faced with more severe vaginal dryness, such as menopausal women or women that have had cancer or major surgery. These women must deal with chronic dry tissue irritation and pain symptoms. For example, 26.5 million U.S. women have undergone radiation therapy, chemotherapy or hysterectomies. These medical procedures typically cause severe vaginal dryness that usually becomes a chronic problem. The magnitude of the problem is illustrated by the fact that the worldwide population of women at menopausal age or older is rapidly increasing and will hit 1.2 billion women by 2030. Some personal lubricants can satisfactorily address the symptoms of severe vaginal dryness as their active ingredients(s) promote lubrication and moisturizing of the vaginal skin tissue.

Personal lubricants generally fall into 4 categories: water-based, petroleum-based, oil-based and silicone-based. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, depending upon the application. Also, some lubricants are made with lots of chemical compounds, whereas others are made from natural substances and compounds. As a general rule, women should be wary of placing products from processed chemical compounds in and on their bodies without full knowledge of the product's toxicity and intended proper use. Here is a quick overview of some advantages and disadvantages of the 4 types of lubricants:

1. Water-based lubricants are the most versatile, safe and popular lubricants on the market. They are typically made of de-ionized water, glycerin, and propylene glycol. Glycerin is a very slippery substance that lubricates well, and few women complain of skin irritation. Water-based lubricants are safe for use with condoms; they do not destroy latex rubber like petroleum and oil-based products do. AVOID PRODUCTS THAT ARE FLAVORED, AS THE SUGAR PROMOTES YEAST INFECTIONS.

2. Petroleum-based lubes include Vaseline-based products, mineral oil products and baby oil products. Petroleum-based lubricants are relatively long lasting, however, these products all destroy latex rubber, so they cannot be used with condoms, cervical caps or diaphragms. Many women complain of vaginal inflammation and irritation when using these products, as well as increased yeast infections. They also can stain clothing.

3. Oil-based lubricants are typically derived from natural oil sources such as nuts or vegetables. Similar to petroleum-based lubes, they degrade latex rubber and can't be used with condoms, diaphragms and cervical caps. They also can stain clothing. However, women report that they do not typically cause inflammation or irritation.

4. Silicone-based lubricants are obviously based on silicone, a very slippery chemical compound. These products are waterproof and thus can survive use in a pool or shower. Silicone does not degrade latex rubber; so silicone-based lubricants are safe with condoms, diaphragms and cervical caps. They are a little harder to wash off than other lubricants.

Most lubricant products are marketed as aids to sexual intimacy. A few products are also recommended for use in alleviating chronic vaginal dryness, as well. These products include SYLK, a water-based natural lubricant made fro the sap of the kiwifruit plant, and a few other water-based lubricants such as Vagisil and Replens. SYLK is recommended by author and gynecologist Dr. Christiane Northrup in her series of NY Times best selling women's health and menopause books, and by other doctors, nutritionists and cancer patients due to its unique all natural moisturizing qualities that mimic a woman's natural body secretions. Other wel- known personal lubricant products include KY Jelly and Vaseline (Petroleum-based); BodyGlide and ID Millenium (silicone-based); AstroGlide and Wet) (water-based); and oils like cottonseed or palm oil (oil based).

What's the right product for you? For sexual intimacy, all types of lubricants have a slippery, lubricating quality. However, women will probably shy away from petroleum-based products for potential skin irritation and condom damage reasons, and from oil-based products, if their partner uses condoms. For vaginal dryness, water-based products with superior natural moisturizing qualities will attract most women. Check out the products and their ingredients carefully. Make an informed buying decision for your body.