Population Council Research that makes a difference

Abstract

Relative safety of sexual lubricants for rectal intercourse (HTML) 
Sudol,Kristin M.; Phillips,David M.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases 31(6): 346-349
Publication date: 2004

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Objective
The current study was conducted to determine the relative safety of sexual lubricants for rectal use.

Goal
Our goal was to identify a sexual lubricant that would not damage the rectal epithelium.

Study Design
We describe a mouse assay to determine the degree to which lubricants cause rectal sloughing. We also tested lubricants for cytotoxicity and their effect on Herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) infection after rectal challenge.

Results
Of the products tested, Delube and KY-Plus are most likely to damage the rectal epithelium, whereas Viamor, Vagisil, and Astroglide would cause some degree of rectal damage. PBS, Carraguard, and methylcellulose were not toxic in any of the assays.

Conclusion
We have developed a quantitative method to assay the degree of sloughing of the rectal epithelium. Using this and other techniques, we are able to predict the degree to which lubricants could be safe for rectal use.

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