Betty Dodson with Carlin Ross

Better Orgasms. Better World.

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In one of your youtube videos, you've recommended almond oil as a vaginal lubricant. I've heard from various sources, including my local feminist sex store, that "oil and vaginas don't mix". I'm not 100% sure why, but i think it has something to do with promoting bacterial infections. I'd prefer to use oil based lubes, because who the hell knows what they make those water or silicon lubes out of, but i also don't want to put my partners at higher risk for infections. Are you sure it's safe?

Dear EO,

In terms of my long history of using lubes, I've never had a problem with any of the nut oils that are cold pressed which means without processing or heating. The Almond oil that I recommend might affect some women negatively, but so far, I've never had a complaint going back to the seventies. If you are using latex condoms, it's recommended to use a water based lube so the latex doesn't break down. But for masturbation or penis/vagina penetration with a woman on the pill or postmenopausal in a monogamous relationships, the Sliquid Organics Natural Lube  is superb based on my experience.

The oils to be avoided would be any petroleum based product like Vaseline. Here again, I have to question it this is true for all of us. I went through the sexual revolution with a gazillion partners and we used Albolene which was petroleum based. Back then I also wore a diaphragm and the Albolene never broke down the latex and I never had any kind of vaginal infection. Also I'm sure there are many, many folks who've used Vaseline for sex and nothing that bad happened other than dealing with a thick gummy mess. It's believed that petroleum
based oils do or can cause an infection or perhaps better said, an imbalance in a woman's flora and fauna inside her vagina. Sometimes I think folks fear of "infections" mirrors their fear of "terrorists."

Thanks for asking.