LUBRICANT

Another author and I recently had a discussion about lubricant. It actually started when I wrote a scene where the heroine hurled a bottle at her lover’s truck and it covered the windshield. Of course, even though he knew better, he turned on the wipers and…well, you know. We can all identify with doing something we absolutely know is the wrong thing to do, but we do it anyway. My author friend did a test on her kitchen window so see how difficult it would be to clean it up. Warning: Do not try that at home, lol.

 

In any event, we then shared some personal stories about lubricant and it got me thinking about the stuff. I mean, I go to the store, find the product I presently use and buy it. Simple. But maybe there’s more to lubricant…so I researched it.            

 

LUBRICANT: A lubricant is a substance introduced to reduce friction between moving surfaces. It may also have the function of transporting foreign particles. The property of reducing friction is known as lubricity. (slipperiness)

A good lubricant possesses the following characteristics:

• High boiling point
• Low freezing point
• High viscosity index
• Thermal stability
• Hydraulic Stability
• Demulsibility
• Corrosion prevention
• High resistance to oxidation

Relax. The product described above is industrial lubricant, although it appears to do the same job as personal lubricant. Just keep it away from me.

Personal lubricants (colloquially termed lube) are specialized and used during human sexual activity to reduce friction between body parts, or between body parts and other objects. They are used during sexual acts such as intercourse and masturbation, to reduce friction to or between the penis and vagina, anus, or other body parts, or applied to sex toys to reduce friction or ease in penetration. Surgical or medical or gels, which are similar but not usually referred to or labelled as "personal" lubricants, may be used for medical purposes such as speculum insertion or introduction of a catheter.

Well, the last use took the edge off.

There are several different types of lubricant, and aside from the obvious value of them, it’s worth your while to research them all. Seriously. Eye opening and might be important for your health.

Water based (soluable) have surprising drawbacks, as do oil based lubricants.

Fertility lubricants are highly specialized, as they should be so as not to interfere with conception.

Silicone based lubricants make for interesting reading-sex toys beware.

Anal specific lubricants are quite different and I confess I learned something new—numbing qualities.

Having purchased specialty lubricants at those naughty parties your mother warned you about—or accompanied you to—aren’t always edible!

And of course there’s the household lube—vegetable shortening, cooking oil, butter and the like. I suppose in a pinch…or if you’re in the kitchen…just remember certain tissues are very sensitive and condoms don’t stand up well to certain substances.

My initial source was Wikipedia and then I read the information on several different brands of each type of lubricant. I also checked out the studies cited on some different sites. I’ll be spending more time in the family planning aisle—such a misnomer—the next time around, and making some different choices! Lubricant really is an individualized product.