Unlike vaginas, [which provide natural lubrication], anuses do not self-lubricate,” board-certified ob-gyn Jacques Moritz, MD, previously told SELF. Anal penetration without adequate lubrication can cause the tissue in your anus to tear, SELF previously reported, which is both painful and dangerous. These tears in the anus area can make you more susceptible to sexually transmitted infections (or STIs), like gonorrhea and HIV, according to Dr. Moritz. What kinds of lube are safe for anal sex?

Friction during sex is not only uncomfortable, but it can result in the lining of the vagina or anus tearing. These tears can put people at higher risk of sexually transmitted infections. The alternative is to wait to use them until you know for sure that you can fully accommodate your partner. Why? People tend to use these desensitizing lubes to not feel any pain during play, but what I find is it tends to cause more localized anal issues, such as anal tears and hemorrhoids, without you even knowing it. It’s not until after the sensation wears off and the session is over that you start to feel pain. We recommend looking into our guide to anal stretching to properly prepare for anal sex safely. Learning to stretch your anus can help prevent pain and injury later on. This advice still stands if your partner ejaculates inside you. Though some people worry this could cause runny poops that resemble diarrhea, Dr. Frankhouse says this actually isn’t the case. For one thing, since poop usually isn’t in your rectum until you’re close to expelling it, there’s no real opportunity for poop and semen to mix. Even if poop could go farther up into your colon, semen is usually runny. Since your anus will likely remain expanded for a few minutes after anal sex, that semen can just leak right on out, Dr. Frankhouse says. If you want to go to the bathroom to expel that, feel free, but it’s not necessary! Brown, J., et al. (2013). Intravaginal practices and risk of bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis infection among a cohort of women in the United States [Abstract]. The best anal lube for you will come down to your intentions and preferences, but according to the experts we consulted (and our own personal experience, silicone-based lubricants are the best and safest option for anal sex.One study, which looked at intercourse between males, suggests that those who use saliva as a lubricant could spread gonorrhea. An older study also highlights saliva in oral sex might cause vaginal yeast infections. Baby oil The FDA also suggest that people avoid using any lubricants, such as Vaseline, that contain oil, fat, or grease because they can damage latex condoms. Customer Review:"If you're only keeping one type of lube on hand, this is the one you should have." There are some liquids that people believe will make a good lubricant but can actually lead to infection and irritation. Some of these include: Vaseline

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend that people use a water based lubricant with unlubricated latex condoms to prevent condom breakage, irritation, and infection. Oil-based lube can work well for anal, because it lasts a long time and has a luxurious, smooth feel to it. It can even double as massage oil. However, it has one key flaw that’ll be relevant if you’re engaging in safer sex: “If you are using condoms, oil-based lubes should not be used, because the oil can cause the condom to rip or tear,” Bezalel says, due to how oil weakens latex. What’s the best type of lube for anal sex? However, people might want to consider the following factors before using Vaseline for this purpose: Astroglide is silicone-based, compatible with natural rubber latex condoms, and super slippery. The formula is very gentle and non-irritating to the skin. Plus, this lube stays in place—even in water—which means it’s a solid choice for anal play in the shower, too.Customer Review:"This is by far and away one of the best lubes you can buy...It's a breeze to wash out." As butter is a dairy product and requires refrigeration, there are risks if people use it for sexual activity.

Selecting a natural lube alternative can be challenging. Many people choose natural lubes to avoid exposure to unnecessary ingredients in commercial… READ MORE The G-spot is thought to be a cluster of vaginal, urethral, and clitoral tissues and nerves, Dr. Chinn says. While the exact location of this cluster varies depending on the person, some people can feel it when they put pressure on the front vaginal wall, about one or two inches inside the vagina. The emphasis here is on “some.” There’s actually a pretty big debate about the G-spot in the sex education and medical fields. Customer Review:"I've tried other lubes that were too watery or too gel-like. This is the perfect balance of both." If you're fluid-bonded with your partner — meaning you've chosen to stop using barrier methods, a choice that should be based on the results of comprehensive STI testing — it's still important to avoid transferring bacteria from the rectum to other parts of the body, for example the vagina. Switching from anal to vaginal sex without replacing the condom or thoroughly washing the penis or dildo can lead to a vaginal or urinary tract infection. 3. Anal play should be pain-free, so take it slow and pile on the lube (or spit). I'm a huge fan of Überlube, which is silicone-based lube,” says Villero. “Überlube is known for their amazing formula that's long-lasting and multi-purpose—as in, use it to help prevent thigh chafing.”

Silicone-based Lube

those with skin sensitivities might be irritated by propylene glycol, citric acid, and sodium benzoate Throw on your bathing suits, folks, because we're going down the slip-n-slide to find the best anal lube for you. Going into anal sex without a lubricant is like going through your day without coffee: painful and almost always unsuccessful. On a more serious note, “using lube for anal play is crucial,” Jenn Mason, founder and owner of WinkWink, a Washington-based, women-owned sex shop, tells SELF. We spoke with experts to understand what to look for when shopping for anal lubes and why it’s beneficial for anal sex. Why should you use anal lube? This can lead to painful tears called anal fissures, or damage to the anal sphincter (the tight ring of muscle surrounding the anus) leading to faecal incontinence,' Daprè adds. These do not damage condoms or sex toys, and are typically the safest option for intercourse and masturbation. Other than that, sex educator Jill McDevitt, Ph.D., recommends toys made of an easy-to-clean material like silicone, since it’s nonporous and hypoallergenic. For beginners, it can help to use toys that come in incremental sizes so you can “start small and then use larger ones as you wish,” says Dr. McDevitt. If you’re a beginner and want to go for a glass or metal toy, maybe err on the smaller side—these materials can be heavy, so you’ll likely feel full even without extra size.

Customer Review:"If you're exploring anal play for the first time, I highly suggest this lubricant." If you prefer the luxurious feel of anal butter, The Butters has got you covered with this hypoallergenic lubricant made from cocoa butter. It also can be used for vaginal sex (the company claims users with vaginas report fewer UTIs and yeast infections!), and it can function as massage lotion. K-Y is the company that comes to mind for many when they think about lube, and for a good reason. The brand was established over 100 years ago and is responsible for creating the world's first lube. You can't go wrong with its ultra-smooth True Feel Deluxe silicone-based formula, which is free of alcohol, fragrances, hormones, parabens, and glycerin. Remember, lubricants are not contraceptives and will not protect you from sexually transmitted infections. If things have gone a little dry down there, lube is a great tool for giving you that helping hand and can even heighten intimacy levels with your partner - or by yourself, of course.Instead of Vaseline, people may want to consider choosing a high quality, water based lubricant. Manufacturers specifically design these products to enhance sexual pleasure without damaging condoms.