Spermicides: Chemicals in spermicides are often irritating and can kill the good bacteria in your vagina. But spermicides may be necessary for birth control, depending on your contraception method. Unrefined, or virgin, coconut oil may be your best bet for an all-natural choice. It’s the least processed form and isn’t bleached like refined coconut oil is.

There’s a whole world out there of personal lubricants that come in any texture, taste, and sensation you could think of. With the wide variety of options, it can be difficult to know which lube is the right one for your body, and which products to get. If you’re not into olive oil as a lube or prefer something water-based, Dr. Crawford has a few suggestions. a) No Parabens – Parabens, i.e. Methylparaben, are a range of synthetic preservatives that mimic estrogen and are potentially linked to breast cancer (7)Darvishi, M., et al. (2015). The comparison of vaginal cream of mixing yogurt, honey and clotrimazole on symptoms of vaginal candidiasis. For women, “not everyone has the same lubrication every single day or during every single sexual encounter,” says Castellanos. “It could be dehydration, it could be anxiety, it could be expectations the person might or might not see you in a certain way, even allergy medications—all those things could affect lubrication.” Shampoo and hand soaps have a basic pH. A vagina’s pH is naturally acidic. This mismatch can cause vaginal burning and, sometimes, infection. Creams and lotions The idea of coconut oil might intrigue a lot of people–it’s been considered a wonder product and can be used for a wide variety of things, both in terms of beauty and your dietary needs. So, you can add this to the long list of things you can use coconut oil for: it makes a great lube. If you’ve already switched over to natural deodorant and other gentler products in your medicine cabinet and makeup bag, you might want to go a step further and replace your personal lubricant too. After all, the last thing you want to worry about while getting intimate with a partner or on your own is irritation. The good news is, there are plenty of natural lubricants on the market to try.

The root Nagaimo is commonly known as Chinese yam, and when it’s cooked, it has a very slippery texture. Years and years ago, this root was very commonly used as lube, and if you’ve had experience with it, you know why; it’s very slippery and has a mucous texture. In fact, a lot of people don’t like to consume it due to this Dr. Crawford also cautions against using lubes that claim to be “cooling” or “tingling.” The ingredients that produce these sensations can increase sensitivity during sex but may also irritate delicate areas. Can you use lotion for lube? Probably not the greatest idea. Honey as lube, even though it may seem “natural,” also isn’t the way to go. Gynecologist Talia Crawford, MD, explains why and answers the question, “What can I use instead of lube?” Types of lubricantsFinding a lubricant that is safe and works well for both you and your partner is a personal journey, so expect to undergo some experimenting. Some homemade lube will work better for a specific type of sex, however, any of your options will in the end effectively do the same thing: make things more slippery. Just keep in mind that you need to be very careful. You should be gentle and cautious any time you put something in or around your genitals, no matter what it is. There’s always a possibility that the foreign substance can mess with your vagina’s PH levels, and there is a risk for yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis. Depending on the ingredients, you or your partner could have an allergic reaction as well. Even organic lubes that are sold in stores, which have great, natural ingredients, could contain ingredients that lead to a yeast infection. Determining if any lubricant is safe boils down to what ingredients it’s made of. Alan Lindemann, M.D., Ob/gyn and maternal mortality expert with resources at Pregnancy Your Way says to avoid oils, which can cause breakage to the condom. Instead, he advises choosing products that we know are safe, meaning they are recommended by a doctor or approved by the FDA.

For condoms: It's oil, so no latex. "Keep in mind that polyurethane and polyisoprene are effective against most STIs, and lambskin condoms are effective against pregnancy but not all STIs," Caitlin V. adds. Thankfully, despite it being a CBD product, it doesn’t have a hemp smell which can happen. CBD is thought to potentially increase blood flow so it can help if you are struggling to get in the mood. This is a good product for anyone interested in starting CBD for “down there” or during. The bottle and marketing is cheerful, bright and not at all scary or an information overload, so it feels approachable and easy to use. Anecdotal evidence suggests egg whites may be a suitable lubricant alternative. This is because people believe it has a similar consistency to cervical mucus. You should avoid using mint oil as any kind of vaginal lubricant. "First, the pH [can mess with the vagina's balance]," Dr. Suwinyattichaiporn says. "It could also heavily irritate the inside of the vaginal wall because of [its] strong, almost spicy, feeling ."There’s a chance you don’t even have to go shopping to get a natural lube — you might already have some options at home. However, like olive oil, people should not use virgin coconut oil if they use latex barrier methods of contraception. Egg whites Using a lubricant with a different pH than the vagina or rectum can cause a change in pH in these areas. In the vagina, a change in pH can lead to a bacterial infection called bacterial vaginosis. Silicone: Don't contain any water or oils, last longer and are less likely to cause irritation. However, they are more expensive and aren't ideal for lower-grade silicone sex toys. In the end, if you are going to use any type of ingredient that you’ll find in your close or your cupboard for a little last-minute lube, anything that’s natural and organic is definitely preferable. Chinese Yam