title: Lesbian- and Bisexually-Identified Women's Use of Lubricant During Their Most Recent Sexual Event with a Female Partner: Findings from a Nationally Representative Study in the United States.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  While previous research suggests that lubricant use may be common among lesbian- and bisexually-identified women, it remains unclear from this research whether lubricant was being used with a male or female partner. The present study explores the behavioral, emotional, situational, and relational aspects of lesbian- and bisexually-identified women's lubricant use during their most recent female-partnered sexual event.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nationally representative data was collected as part of the 2012 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior (NSSHB). The 2012 NSSHB had an oversample of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. Participants were included in the present study if they identified as a lesbian or bisexual women and indicated that their most recent sexual partner was a female. Participants were asked a variety of questions about the context and experience of lubricant use during this event.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly a quarter (21.9%, n=32) of the participants reported that they used a lubricant during their most recent female-partnered sexual event. The likelihood of lubricant use significantly differed based upon age, race/ethnicity and sexual identity. The most commonly reported reason for lubricant use was to "make sex more comfortable," with half reporting use for clitoral stimulation (50.6%, n=16). Overall, participants indicated that lubricant use enhanced their sexual experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lubricant use may improve comfort and increase pleasure during certain sexual acts between women. The use of lubrication should be considered as a means of reducing pain and enhancing sexual pleasure during sexual behavior between women.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Vanessa R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Schick
authors.affiliation: 2 Division of Adolescent Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis, Indiana.
authors.forename: Devon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hensel
authors.affiliation: 3 Center for Sexual Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Indiana University-Bloomington , Bloomington, Indiana.
authors.forename: Debby
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Herbenick
authors.affiliation: 3 Center for Sexual Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Indiana University-Bloomington , Bloomington, Indiana.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dodge
authors.affiliation: 3 Center for Sexual Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Indiana University-Bloomington , Bloomington, Indiana.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reece
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Gender Studies, The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University , Bloomington, Indiana.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.affiliation: 2 Division of Adolescent Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis, Indiana.
authors.forename: J Dennis
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Fortenberry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D054327:Lubricants; D008153:Lubrication / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D054327:Lubricants
keywords: bisexual women; lesbian women; lubricant; probability sample; sexual behavior; women who have sex with women (WSW)