Can I use Olive Oil as a sexual lubricant?
Read about the author Megan Barnett
It is often said that olive oil is good for you because it lubricates your insides, but does that make it a good substitute for personal lubricant during sex? Our answer is NO.
Olive oil is incredibly good for you; it is a staple of the Mediterranean diet, which is said to be one of the most healthy diets in the world. It can lower cholesterol, prevent or delay diabetes and is beneficial to the internal organs.
Olive oil is also known for its skin nourishing benefits; it has anti-ageing qualities, and has even been used to help alleviate symptoms of eczema and other types of skin damage.
However, olive oil and other vegetable oils were never designed for internal use or on our vulvas. The skin of the vagina and vulval area is extremely sensitive, and women have been known to experience allergic reactions to olive oil.
A 2 year study at UCLA of 141 sexually active women aged between 18 and 65 (2013) found that women who used petroleum jelly intravaginally increased their risk for bacterial vaginosis by 22%. Similarly, those who reported using oils, such as those found in your kitchen cupboard had a 32% increased risk for yeast infection.
What’s more, using the same bottle you cook with for intimate use could potentially lead to contamination and is not very hygienic as this would leave you more susceptible to infections.
Olive oil can also be used to lubricate stiff kitchen appliances, and while the vagina is said to be a “well-oiled machine”, you might want to treat it a little different to your blender!
Also, take into consideration that olive oil is not compatible with latex condoms or dental dams, as it will cause the latex to break, leading to a risk of pregnancy and exposure to STIs.
Our advice is if you know you are prone to thrush, avoid using olive oil and if you do not wish to get thrush, choose a sexual lubricant designed for vaginal/vulval/anal play.
If you want to avoid the potential risk of skin damage and compromised sexual health, use a good quality, certified lubricant such as YES Organic, which is available in oil and water based formulas. YES BUT is a waterbased lubricant designed for anal play. The water based lubricant is safe to use with latex products.