Can a Lube Cause a Yeast Infection?
Can a Lube Cause a Yeast Infection?
In this article, I’ll tell you why a lube can cause a yeast infection. You’ll find out what are the ingredients you should avoid and how to find a lube that contains natural ingredients which will help you prevent yeast infections.
Why Can Lubes Cause Yeast Infections?
The key to vaginal health is pH balance. When the pH is correct, the balance between beneficial and potentially harmful microorganisms makes it impossible for an infection to start.
However, when the balance is disturbed, harmful yeast and bacteria can start proliferating out of control causing an infection.
There are many things that can disturb vaginal pH. One of the most important factors is irritating chemicals that can get into the vagina through the use of sexual lubricants, intimate washes or douches.
Apart from irritating ingredients, lubes contain sugar compounds, such as glycerin, which can nourish yeast cells creating a perfect environment for them to thrive and start an infection.
What Ingredients Should I Avoid?
Some ingredients found in most sexual lubricants can irritate your skin or trigger a yeast infection by feeding yeast cells, the most common ones to avoid are:
Glycerin – glycerin is very often found in sexual lubricants. It makes the lubricant slippery for a long time. The problem with glycerin is that it’s a sugar alcohol.
As I said before, yeast cells can feed on sugar which will enable them to start proliferating and cause an infection. So using products containing glycerin inside the vagina can either trigger a yeast infection or make an existing yeast infection worse.
Go for water-based lubes instead. They tend to lose their slippery properties faster than glycerin-based lubricants so need to be reapplied more often, but they’re a much better option for women who suffer from yeast infections. Other sugar alcohols found in sexual lubricants include sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol and maltitol.
Acetate – It’s another type of alcohol which may trigger a yeast infection. It tends to dry and irritate your skin making it more prone to micro-injuries. Micro wounds in your vaginal tissue are a perfect environment for harmful microorganisms, such as yeasts, to thrive and start an infection.
Irritated vaginal tissue also makes it easier for bacteria and viruses causing sexually transmitted diseases to infect you.
Parabens – these compounds are used to prolong shelf life of cosmetics and personal care products. Unfortunately, parabens have been linked to increased cancer risk. Studies show that they interfere with your body’s estrogen which may cause breast cancer.
Your body absorbs it through your skin, so using it inside your vagina will make it absorption even faster, which may put your health at risk. Avoid parabens at all costs!
Propylene Glycol – this compound is a preservative that gives cosmetics and other personal care products a long shelf life. Propylene glycol is known as a skin irritant and it can break the natural protective barrier of your vaginal tissue making you more prone to infection.
What Ingredients Should I look For?
The best sexual lubricants contain natural ingredients. It’s even better if some of these ingredients are scientifically proved to treat and prevent vaginal yeast infections. Some of the most common natural antifungal ingredients found in sexual lubricants are:
Coconut oil – it’s has got excellent antifungal and antibacterial qualities and its texture makes it a great natural lubricant. Coconut oil suppositories can be used to treat vaginal yeast infection and BV at home. One of the best-rated coconut oil based lubricants is Coconu.
Aloe Vera – science shows that aloe vera has got an antimicrobial effect and it can kill Candida cells, yeast cells that cause a yeast infection. Homemade aloe vera gel suppositories are some of the best natural remedies for a vaginal yeast infection. An example of a completely natural lubricant with aloe vera is Sustain Lubricant.
Beeswax – along with other bee products, beeswax has been shown to kill harmful bacteria and yeast, so this ingredient can also help you prevent yeast infections.
What Are The Best Natural Sexual Lubricants?
Natural sexual lubricants don’t contain any potentially toxic and irritating ingredients that could trigger a yeast infection. However, their main disadvantage is that they dry out faster than silicone or glycerin-based lubricants, so they may be less convenient to use.
However, the fact that they won’t do you any harm and they’ll actually help you prevent yeast infection makes them a much better choice. One of the best natural sexual lubricants is Coconu. Take a look at the ingredient list:
Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Shea Butter, Cocoa Seed Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Canola Oil, Kukui Seed Oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Tocopherol (Non-GMO, Natural antioxidant)
It contains only natural ingredients and two of them, beeswax and coconut oil, are scientifically documented natural remedies for yeast infection. Could it get any better?
It’s got excellent reviews on Amazon but a handful of users are not happy with its texture. Other than that, if you’re looking for a 100% natural sexual lubricant, Coconu seems to be the best choice.
For more information check our Coconu Lubricant Review.
Are You Sure It’s a Yeast Infection?
Yeast infection symptoms can sometimes be confused with other types of infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) or sexually transmitted diseases. Some of them, such as gonorrhea and trichomoniasis can severely affect your health if left untreated, so getting tested on a regular basis is paramount.
Check my article about OTC yeast infection and STD tests and order your test as soon as possible to verify what’s causing your symptoms and start your treatment immediately in case you test positive.
How to Get Rid of a Yeast Infection Fast?
If you’ve already got a yeast infection and you want to get rid of it fast, use boric acid suppositories. It’s one of the best natural treatments for vaginal yeast infection out there, and it’s able to cure even chronic yeast infections that don’t respond to other treatments.
With two suppositories a day, one in the morning and one in the evening, for 7 consecutive days you’ll get rid of your yeast infection for good.
Order Boric Acid Suppositories Today
Conclusion
Conventional sexual lubricants are very likely to cause a yeast infection. Fortunately, there are 100% natural lubricants that contain antifungal and antibacterial ingredients that will help you prevent vaginal infections.
When choosing a sexual lubricant always check the label and make sure you avoid products containing parabens, glycerin, propylene glycol, and acetate.
Remember that natural lubricants may not perform as well as the synthetic lubricants do, but it’s a small inconvenience compared to the health benefits they offer.
Do you think that your lubricant is causing yeast infections? What lubricant do you use? Please share your experiences and questions in the comment section below.