Jessica Knowles | 
08 3rd, 2009| 
The main worry for women when finding a right kind of lubricant is the chance of getting yeast infections. Even though most personal lubricants don’t cause infections and are great to reduce friction and increase pleasure, there are some basics you need to understand before actually buying one and introducing to your sex life.
Lubricants are basically divided into a few broad categories depending on the type of contents, which are water-based lubricants, silicone-based lubricants and oil-based lubricants. Out of all these lubricants, oil-based lubricants are the worst because they cause bacterial infections. Some water-based lubricants (if they contain glycerine) cause yeast infections or promote them. Silicone-based lubricants are the safest, as they cause no reactions or infections.
Introduction to yeast infection
Seventy-five percent of all women are known to have experienced vaginal yeast infections at least once in their lifetime. Many of them suffer from regular bouts of yeast infections. You know you are suffering from yeast infections if you experience symptoms such as itching, burning, redness and irritation in vaginal area. You may experience all these symptoms or a few of them. Severe yeast infections may be recognised by swelling of the vulva and painful or frequent urination, which is caused due to inflammation of the opening in vagina. The most common symptom of yeast infections is vaginal discharge, which is thick and white. These infections cause vaginal dryness and inflammation that makes sex painful.
Yeast infection causes
The vagina normally has many good and bad bacteria thriving that help clean it naturally. Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of some of the fungi that lives in the vaginal area. The most common one is candida albicans, which is often found budding because of use of antibiotics, wearing tight clothing or using nylon and lycra that traps moisture and heat. Pregnancy, obesity, PMS, multiple sclerosis and diabetes are also known to cause yeast infections. Yeast infections are often found among women infected by HIV. Other possible causes of yeast infection include the use of oral contraceptives and consuming large amounts of sugars, starch, and yeasts.
Do lubricants cause yeast infection?
Some lubricants contain glycerine, which is a sugary liquid. Yeast feeds on sugar and hence in a way there is a connection between lubricants and yeast infection. Not all lubricants contain glycerine, so not all of them cause and promote yeast infections. Look for a glycerine and sugar free lubricant, if you are sensitive and susceptible to yeast infections.
However, there is another side to this story. There is no actual proof that shows that women who use water-based lubricants that contain glycerine can cause yeast infections. It is all theoretical because yeast infection feeds and thrives on sugar. A leading manufacturer of lubricants has counter-argued that many yeast infection medications contain glycerine. Erm, something to think about?
How to choose lubricants to avoid yeast infection?
Women who are already suffering from pesky yeast infection wouldn’t want to take a chance. Therefore, it makes sense that they use safe lubricants. It is better to use sugar-free lubricants or the water-based lubricants that do not contain glycerine than to repent later. Silicone-based lubricants are the best options, especially if women suffer from yeast infections or are susceptible to it.
Look for branded lubricants, silicone-based, if possible. This will thwart any possibility of infections and reactions. If your choice of lube is water-based, look for the safer ones that do not contain sugar and glycerine. The right kind of lubricant will help you enjoy sexual pleasure, without any problems or hindrances. So do not hesitate buying lubricants because you are worrying about yeast infections.
