“Can using vaseline during sex have any side effects?”
Often, me and my partner use vaseline during sex for extra lubrication. I recently read somewhere that this could actually cause some issues down the road. Are there any side effects with vaseline for me and my partner that we should be concerned about?
4 Answers
It can cause some side effects down the road. Consultation with your physician if you're worried.
Ideally, it’s better to use water-based or silicone-based lubricants than Vaseline. There are a few studies that show Vaseline increases the risk of bacterial vaginitis and yeast infections.
Suzanne Sirota Rozenberg, DO, FAOCD
Suzanne Sirota Rozenberg, DO, FAOCD
While petrolatum is a terrific emollient, and we use it commonly in dermatology for a variety of reasons, it's use as a sex lubricant is controversial. In general, it tends to be very sticky and goopy, which can cause increased friction compared to water based lubricants. Further, if used for vaginal sex there are concerns it may disrupt the function of normal vaginal secretions by forming a barrier between the mucosal membrane. Therefore, I recommend obtaining a product specifically made for that purpose. Thank you for the question.
Vaseline is a good lubricant but not for internal use. Entry way into the cervix or penis is only a tiny hole. Plugging it up with petroleum jelly is certainly a bad idea.
