title: Association of lubricant use with women's sexual pleasure, sexual satisfaction, and genital symptoms: a prospective daily diary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although lubricant use is commonly recommended to women for solo and partnered sexual activities, little is known about women's use of lubricant or their relationship to sexual pleasure and satisfaction.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess: (i) how adult women used lubricant during partnered and solo sexual activities; (ii) relations between women's reports of sexual pleasure and satisfaction and their use of a lubricant during a particular sexual event; and (iii) to what extent lubricant use was associated with subsequent genital symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 2,453 women completed a 5-week internet-based, double-blind prospective daily diary study in which they were assigned to use one of six water- or silicone-based lubricants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline data included demographics, contraceptive use, and sexual behavior during the 4 weeks prior to study enrollment. Daily diary data included reports of penile-vaginal sex, penile-anal sex, solo sex, lubricant use, lubricant application, ratings of sexual pleasure and satisfaction, and genital symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Water-based lubricants were associated with fewer genital symptoms compared with silicone-based lubricants. In addition, the use of a water-based or silicone-based lubricant was associated with higher ratings of sexual pleasure and satisfaction for solo sex and penile-vaginal sex. Water-based lubricant use was associated with higher ratings of sexual pleasure and satisfaction for penile-anal sex as compared with no lubricant use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The water- and silicone-based lubricants used in this study were associated with significantly higher reports of sexual pleasure and satisfaction and rarely associated with genital symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA. debby@indiana.edu
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Herbenick
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reece
authors.forename: Devon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hensel
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jozkowski
authors.forename: J Dennis
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Fortenberry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054327:Lubricants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012828:Silicones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D054327:Lubricants; D012828:Silicones; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies