When I set out to research these issues, I discovered a total absence of any research studies backing the prevailing view about nonwater-soluble lubricants. I wrote a letter to Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturers of various mineral oil based products.

They responded in writing that they "do not recommend Johnson's Baby Oil? as a personal lubricant." Similarly, Cheesebrough Ponds, the manufacturers of Vaseline?, made it clear that their product was not considered safe for vaginal lubrication.

The person challenging my statement cited The AMA and the New England Journal of Medicine to support his position that mineral oil and Vaseline? are safe as vaginal lubricants. These citations turned out to be nonexistent.

A reference from the same person that "The American Family Physician's Patient Information Handout regarding vaginal yeast infection makes no mention of oil based lubricants or mineral oil being involved at all" turned out not to support his position.

I contacted the American Academy of Family Physicians and they repeated the prevailing wisdom that nonwater-soluble lubricants should not be used in the vagina. There were a number of good studies on propylene glycol. It is used in many oral, injectable and topical medications as a vehicle to enhance solubility.

In one of the studies, a two-year-old boy swallowed 2,000 mg of propylene glycol from an open container of styling hair gel. He suffered the effects of propylene glycol intoxication including central nervous system depression and a severe metabolic acidosis.

There were two cases wheres minors had minor side affects after swallowing propylene glycol. Frankly, there are many ingredients in various vaginal lubricants that someone somewhere will be allergic to.

In any case, the prevailing medical wisdom, including the FDA, is that propylene glycol is safe for vaginal use in the minor concentrations involved in lubricants. I have tried to be fair and open minded with these questions. All women are different and have to make their own choices regarding their bodies and what they put in them.

Just because something is considered a "known" fact does not by itself make it true for all people. My position as a responsible sex educator is to give a warning that nonwater-soluble lubricants may possibly, in some women and at some times, create an environment for vaginal infections.

For anyone to say for certain that nonwater-soluble lubricants are either totally safe or unsafe is an irresponsible position and one that does not serve the cause of women's health.
By Gary Schubach, Ed.D., A.C.S.

Endnotes
(1) Glover, Mark, Pharm.D and Reed, Michael D., Pharm.D., "Propylene glycol: The safe diluent that continues to cause harm," Pharmacotherapy, 1996;16: 690-693
(2) Yorgin, MD, Theodorou, MD, Al-Uzri, MD, Davenport, MD, Boyer-Hassen, MD and Johnson, MD, "Propylene glycol - Induced proximal renal tubular cell injury," American Journal of Kidney Diseases, Vol. 30, No. 1, (July) 1997: 134-139.




	THE SAFETY OF NONWATER-SOLUBLE LUBRICANTS IN THE VAGINA By Gary Schubach, Ed.D., A.C.S. When I set out to research these issues, I discovered a total absence of any research studies backing the prevailing view about nonwater-soluble lubricants. I wrote a letter to Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturers of various mineral oil based products. They responded in writing that they "do not recommend Johnson's Baby Oil? as a personal lubricant." Similarly, Cheesebrough Ponds, the manufacturers of Vaseline?, made it clear that their product was not considered safe for vaginal lubrication. The person challenging my statement cited The AMA and the New England Journal of Medicine to support his position that mineral oil and Vaseline? are safe as vaginal lubricants. These citations turned out to be nonexistent. A reference from the same person that "The American Family Physician's Patient Information Handout regarding vaginal yeast infection makes no mention of oil based lubricants or mineral oil being involved at all" turned out not to support his position. I contacted the American Academy of Family Physicians and they repeated the prevailing wisdom that nonwater-soluble lubricants should not be used in the vagina. There were a number of good studies on propylene glycol. It is used in many oral, injectable and topical medications as a vehicle to enhance solubility. In one of the studies, a two-year-old boy swallowed 2,000 mg of propylene glycol from an open container of styling hair gel. He suffered the effects of propylene glycol intoxication including central nervous system depression and a severe metabolic acidosis. There were two cases wheres minors had minor side affects after swallowing propylene glycol. Frankly, there are many ingredients in various vaginal lubricants that someone somewhere will be allergic to. In any case, the prevailing medical wisdom, including the FDA, is that propylene glycol is safe for vaginal use in the minor concentrations involved in lubricants. I have tried to be fair and open minded with these questions. All women are different and have to make their own choices regarding their bodies and what they put in them. Just because something is considered a "known" fact does not by itself make it true for all people. My position as a responsible sex educator is to give a warning that nonwater-soluble lubricants may possibly, in some women and at some times, create an environment for vaginal infections. For anyone to say for certain that nonwater-soluble lubricants are either totally safe or unsafe is an irresponsible position and one that does not serve the cause of women's health. By Gary Schubach, Ed.D., A.C.S. Endnotes (1) Glover, Mark, Pharm.D and Reed, Michael D., Pharm.D., "Propylene glycol: The safe diluent that continues to cause harm," Pharmacotherapy, 1996;16: 690-693 (2) Yorgin, MD, Theodorou, MD, Al-Uzri, MD, Davenport, MD, Boyer-Hassen, MD and Johnson, MD, "Propylene glycol - Induced proximal renal tubular cell injury," American Journal of Kidney Diseases, Vol. 30, No. 1, (July) 1997: 134-139. Copyright 2000 Brandwynne Corporation. All rights reserved.

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