Relative safety of sexual lubricants for rectal intercourse.
OBJECTIVE
The current study was conducted to determine the relative safety of sexual lubricants for rectal use.


OBJECTIVE
Our goal was to identify a sexual lubricant that would not damage the rectal epithelium.


METHODS
We describe a mouse assay to determine the degree to which lubricants cause rectal sloughing. We also tested lubricants for cytotoxicity and their effect on Herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) infection after rectal challenge.


RESULTS
Of the products tested, Delube and KY-Plus are most likely to damage the rectal epithelium, whereas Viamor, Vagisil, and Astroglide would cause some degree of rectal damage. PBS, Carraguard, and methylcellulose were not toxic in any of the assays.


CONCLUSIONS
We have developed a quantitative method to assay the degree of sloughing of the rectal epithelium. Using this and other techniques, we are able to predict the degree to which lubricants could be safe for rectal use.
Sudol
Kristin M
KM
Population Council, New York, New York, USA.
Phillips
David M
DM
D000818:Animals; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000187:drug effects; D008153:Lubrication; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D023421:Models, Animal; D012007:Rectum / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D012725:Sexual Behavior