Vaginal lubrication
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Vaginal lubrication is the naturally produced lubricating fluid that reduces friction during sexual intercourse. It is often produced on occasions of women's sexual arousal. Vaginal dryness is the condition in which this lubrication is insufficient.
Composition
The lubrication fluid contains water, pyridine, squalene, urea, acetic acid, lactic acid, complex alcohols and glycols, ketones, and aldehydes.[1] The fluid is typically clear and more resembling of male pre-ejaculate than male ejaculate. It can vary in consistency, texture, color, and odor, depending on sexual arousal, the time of the menstrual cycle, the presence of an infection, and diet.
Vaginal fluid is slightly acidic and can become more acidic with certain sexually transmitted diseases. The normal pH of vaginal fluid is between 3.8 and 4.5,[1][1] whereas male semen is typically between 7.2 and 8.0 (a neutral substance has a pH of 7.0)[1].
Changes in vaginal lubrication
Certain medications, including some over-the-counter antihistamines, as well as life events such as pregnancy, lactation, menopause, aging or diseases such as diabetes, will inhibit lubrication. Medicines with anticholinergic or sympathomimetic effects will dry out the "mucosal" or wet tissues of the vagina. Such medicines include many common drugs for allergic, cardiovascular, psychiatric, and other medical conditions.
Role in disease transmission
Safe sex educators warn that the vaginal fluids of a woman who is infected with HIV or other STIs can transmit the disease, even in the absence of direct penile-vaginal sexual intercourse, so direct contact is discouraged.
Artificial lubrication
When natural lubrication is insufficient, penetrative intercourse may be uncomfortable or painful. A personal lubricant applied to the vaginal opening and/or the penis can prevent this discomfort. More rarely, a vaginal suppository may be inserted prior to intercourse.
Oil-based lubricants can weaken latex and reduce the effectiveness of condoms, latex gloves, or dental dams as either forms of birth control or for protection from sexually transmitted diseases, so water- or silicone-based lubricants are often used instead.
References
External links
bg:Ерекция при женитеda:Skedesekret de:Vaginalsekretid:Lubrikasi vagina la:Secretum vaginale lt:Makšties lubrikacija nl:vaginale afscheiding simple:Vaginal secretion ja:膣分泌液sv:Lubrikation sv:Glidmedel
Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
