Personal lubrication: What you don’t know about osmolarity may be hurting you

Osmolarity is more than just a hard word to say quickly, three times in a row.

A chemist or biologist would probably define osmolarity as a measure of the total amount of chemicals dissolved in a liquid, cream, lotion, or gel. Stated slightly differently, osmolarity is the total concentration of components in a fluid.

Osmolarity occurs to help bring about equilibrium, when a substance in a solution (such as a fluid) crosses a membrane from an area of ​​lower concentration to an area of ​​higher concentration. Additionally, osmolarity is sometimes also referred to as osmolality. Solutions containing the same concentration of particles are said to be isosmotic, or (isotonic).

The medical community needs to be aware of the osmolarity of a wide range of fluids because, for example, putting fluids in the blood that are not isotonic with the blood can have a profoundly negative impact. Whereas fluids that are isotonic or isoosmotic with blood can enter the body and remain there in harmony.

Blood osmolarity is normally between 275 and 295, urine can range from 50 to 1200, but after 12 to 14 hours of fluid restriction this number should be greater than 850, whereas normal saline (often placed in the body) has an osmolarity of 286.

In addition to this small list, the normal osmolarity of the following elements must also be taken into account:

• Female vaginal secretions (women’s natural lubrication): 260 to 290
• Human semen: 250-380
• Coconut Oil: 180-340
• Most commercial personal lubricants: 1,000 to over 10,000 (1)

As you may have noticed, the osmolarity of coconut oil is in the same range as the osmolarity of many central elements of the human body (blood, vaginal secretions, and sperm, for example). Thus these elements are all isosmotic and can therefore be expected to exist in harmony. Put another way, they all contain the same concentration of dissolved particles, allowing them to exist happily together in a joyous state of balance.

By comparison and unhappily nestled, in a dark place far from the sunny bliss of coconut oil and bodily fluids, you will find the land of personal lubricants. As indicated in the short list above, the osmolarity of most commercial lubricants is much higher. But what does this mean?

When two fluids that have a similar osmolarity are combined, as mentioned, they create an equilibrium. Due to this balance, the two fluids can coexist peacefully. For example, coconut oil can be expected to play quite well with the human body, because the natural range of osmolarity of coconut oil (180-340) is quite close to the osmolarity of vaginal secretions and sperm (260- 380).

However, when two fluids that do not have the same osmolarity are combined, they combine and then try to create an equilibrium. Unfortunately, in an effort to form this new balance, the damage is caused by movement in or out of the endothelial cells. And, the greater the difference between the osmolarities, the greater the chance for cell damage and the faster that damage should be expected to occur. In fact, some research has already shown that personal lubricants can damage the cellular lining of the vagina and rectum. One such study, a January 2012 study published by the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, concluded that “lubricant products may increase vulnerability to STIs (sexually transmitted diseases). Due to the wide use of lubricants and their potential as carrier vehicles for microbes.” Also, when the protective lining of the rectum or vagina is damaged, one of the body’s normal defense mechanisms is weakened. (2)

In addition to this study, another study also seems quite significant in its ability to document the osmolarity impact of personal lubricants. This study was published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2012. It was titled “Use and procurement of additional lubricants for male and female condoms.” (3)

According to this study:

• Several articles (13-16) suggest that high osmolality lubricants can cause vaginal and anal epithelial damage. confirmation that Lubricants with high osmolality can cause damage to the epithelium when applied rectally to humans, it has been demonstrated in a group of 10 volunteers..
• Epithelial damage could in turn increase the risk of infection, for example by HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)particularly when condom use is inconsistent.
• Most commercial personal lubricants have high osmolalities (2000-6000 mOsm/kg).. This study reviewed more than 40 personal lubricants.
• Ideally, the osmolality of a personal lubricant should not exceed 380 mOsm/Kg to minimize any risk of epithelial damage.
• Don’t use oils (or coconut oil) with latex condomsbecause “they have a very damaging effect on latex”.

In summary, osmolarity is important for the following easy-to-understand reason:

• High osmolarity = high risk of STIs (sexually transmitted infections)
• Low osmolarity = low risk of STIs

It should also be noted that the osmolarity-increasing components of coconut oil are radically different than the osmolarity-increasing ingredients of most commercial personal lubricants.

Conventional non-organic lubricants contain ingredients such as chlorhexidine, petrochemicals, parabens, silicone, glycerin, propylene, and artificial fragrances, colors, or flavors.

In 2002, during a Phase II/III clinical trial, even the highly promoted nonoxynol-9 cam face to face with the cold hard truth that in addition to being a powerful spermicide, it also damages the cell lining of the vagina and rectum, increasing the risk of HIV infection in people tested. And yet nonoxynol-9 is still used in condoms today. (4)

Comparatively, the osmolarity of coconut oil is increased by the presence of natural components such as amino acids, enzymes, minerals, and fatty acids that combine to create a pure, well-balanced source of healthy, moisturizing nutrients.

aforementioned:

(1) “Studies raise questions about the safety of personal lubricants” by Lauren K. Wolfe of Chemical & Engineering News: Volume 90, Number 50, pp. 46-47 (link to full article, listed below).

(2) “The Slippery Slope: Lubricant Use and Rectal Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Newly Identified Risk.” Sex Transm Dis. 2012 January; 39(1): 59-64. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318235502b. PMID: 22183849.

(3) “Use and Procurement of Additional Lubricants for Male and Female Condoms: WHO/UNFPA/FHI360 – Advisory Note” from the World Health Organization in 2012 (link to full article, listed below).

(4) “Efficacy of COL-1492, a nonoxynol-9 vaginal gel, on HIV-1 transmission in female sex workers: a randomized controlled trial” (Lancet, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(02)11079-8 ).