Water based lubricants advised

Several recent studies have found that oil based lubrication can reduce the effectiveness of condoms.

Oil based lubricants break down the latex found in most condoms, thereby reducing its effectiveness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that condoms provide an essentially impermeable barrier to sexually transmitted diseases when used correctly.

When oil based lubrication is added, however, they break down the latex wall and may allow diseases to pass through.

This latex breakdown can also cause a condom to break.

According to a Johns Hopkins School of Public Health study, many substances that contained oil were found to reduce the effectiveness of condoms.

Some of these substances include; mineral oil, petroleum jelly and baby oil.

The study found that mineral oil and other products weakened latex within 60 seconds of contact.

The study also found that some types of vaginal creams, vaginal spermicides and some types of sexual lubricants contain oil based lubrication.

According to the study, water based lubrication did not weaken condoms.

However, water based lubrication does contain glycerin, which can turn into sugar and increases the chance of yeast infections.

Many lubricant companies feature water based products.

Flavored lubricants are generally among the water based lubricants that contain glycerin.

Silicone lubricant is also condom safe.

Silicone lubricant also does not contain glycerin like some water based lubricants.

Silicone lubricant is not compatible with other silicone toys, however.

According to Avert, an international AIDS charity, polyurethane condoms do not break down when used with oil lubricants.

Oil lubrication has also been found to cause bacterial infections in intercourse.

Many Government Web sites advise against using oil based lubrication. The FDA’s’ Web site advises the use of water based lubrication.