Study Shows Using Lubricants Increase Anal Sex Hiv Risk

[Jingthing]

http://www.health.am/sex/more/anal-sex-could-increase-risk-of-hiv/

I think this is going to be surprising news to a lot of people. Apparently the chemicals in different kinds of lubricants damage the cells in such a way as to increase the risk of HIV transmission with UNPROTECTED anal sex. Now hopefully most people reading this who do engage in anal sex are using condoms, but of course sometimes condoms break and sometimes there is minor leakage into the body from just the fact that sex even with condoms is messy.

They tested a number of brands, including Astroglide. Astroglide is a rather high cost lubricant, but it turns out to be the MOST dangerous on in this study. KY also rated very poorly, and I reckon KY is the most popular lube for anal sex used in Thailand.

Anyway, something else to be aware of.

The risk of acquiring HIV through unprotected anal sex is at least 20 times greater than with unprotected vaginal sex and increases if other infections are already present in the rectal lining. Could the use of lubricants – at least certain kinds – be another risk factor among men and women who engage in receptive anal intercourse? Two studies presented today at the International Microbicides Conference in Pittsburgh, suggest the answer is yes.

Edited February 27, 2011 by Jingthing

[Deeral]

I would be VERY wary of taking the results of one "report" as gospel.

however there is another point that needs to be made.

when having PROTECTED sex i.e. with a condom - anal or otherwise, male/male male/female -you must be very careful NOT to use oil-based lubricants as they can render the condom permeable to the virus

[Jingthing]

I agree, it's only one study. But if you think about it, it becomes less surprising. These lubes aren't exactly organic health substances. Non oil based lubes of course, but even more so, it should make using condoms even more of a must do, if the lubes make bare sex even more high risk than it is already is assumed to be.

Edited March 1, 2011 by Jingthing

[Deeral]

Transmitting the virus I believe usually requires the interchange of bodily fluids. I would presume into the blood stream would be most effective.therefore abrasion of skin by skin results in "raw" skin...this means that the interchange is facilitated.

Lubes tend to fall into two categoriesOil based and water based - KY is water based, vaseline is not.

So I would be interested in know ing the mechanism here that facilitates a more effective transmission of the virus.....and which lubes are more likely to cause this.

I could guess that they perform the function of retaining the virus against the skin longer so it has more chance to be transmitted.However if lubrication works as intended there should be less damages skin for the virus to enter by.

[Bagwan]

My understanding is that Vaseline and condoms should never be used at the same time. I think that Vaseline is an acid which wouldn't do the latex membrane a lot of good.

From the Vaseline website.

Vaseline® Petroleum Jelly is a mixture of mineral oils, paraffin and microcrystalline waxes that, when blended together, create something remarkable - a smooth jelly that has a melting point just above body temperature. The result - it literally melts into skin, flowing into the spaces between cells and the gaps in our lipid barrier. Once there, it re-solidifies, locking itself in place.

[Jingthing]

Right, don't use Vaseline with condoms. Keep in mind that the study in the OP refers to unprotected, no condom, anal sex.