Lubrication

[Lost_Sheep]

I know it is impermissible to use artificial contraception, but does the Church any objection to using artificial lubricants to help things go “smoothly” (as long as the lubricant does not have a contraceptive effect)?

And if so, what about some of these new lubricants on the market that contain some sort of magic pixie dust that is supposed to “enhance the experience”?

 

[Rau]

I know it is impermissible to use artificial contraception, but does the Church any objection to using artificial lubricants to help things go “smoothly” (as long as the lubricant does not have a contraceptive effect)?

No.

 

[Bookcat]

Note that many (most?) of such actually can cause difficulty for conception (damage, effect mobility of seed) (even though they say “not contraceptive”)(such as the ingredient glycerin).

 

[pensmama87]

No.

(Though many of these specially formulated products can be irritating to skin - which really kills the mood! It doesn’t matter from a moral perspective, but I’d think it’d be better to use something like coconut oil, that’s a lot cheaper and has a bunch of uses, and is a much “simpler” product.)

 

[Bookcat]

Note that many (most?) of such actually can cause difficulty for conception (damage, effect mobility of seed) (even though they say “not contraceptive”)(such as the ingredient glycerin).

 

[FrenzyJen]

It is A-okay!

I would not have had a honeymoon without it! Lol.

 

[Beryllos]

Here’s something else to keep in mind: Many personal lubricant formulas have a tendency to draw water out of cells by osmosis. This dehydrates and weakens sperm cells and thereby has a contraceptive effect, even in products which are not labeled as contraceptive.

The key term here is osmolality, which is the tendency of a substance to take up water from its surroundings. To keep the sperm healthy, the lubricant osmolality should be close to that of semen or other bodily fluids. Most of the personal lubricants on store shelves have very high osmolalities and therefore are harmful to sperm.

One product that has the right osmolality is Pre-Seed Fertility-Friendly Personal Lubricant. I haven’t used or tested it. I am just saying it has a good osmolality so it won’t damage the sperm by dehydration.

 

[FrenzyJen]

The above is relevant information, but it doesn’t mean that you are required to use that product. As you stated above, you are using it for things to go smoothly. If it has any minimal sort of contraceptive effect, that is a secondary unintended consequence, so it does not make the use of a standard lubricant immoral.

 

[Bookcat]

Here’s something else to keep in mind.

There are other effects too from the ingredients (such as glycerin) in many of these products – that do things such as - effect mobility of -and even harm- the male seed.

 

[Beryllos]

The above is relevant information, but it doesn’t mean that you are required to use that product. As you stated above, you are using it for things to go smoothly. If it has any minimal sort of contraceptive effect, that is a secondary unintended consequence, so it does not make the use of a standard lubricant immoral.

In my above remarks, I didn’t address the morality, but was concerned for those trying to conceive, that they may choose wisely.

BTW, when my wife and I were trying to conceive, we avoided using lubricants around ovulation time. Back then, we didn’t know about osmolality. We just figured it would work better to go natural.

 

[LegoGE1947]

In my above remarks, I didn’t address the morality, but was concerned for those trying to conceive, that they may choose wisely.

BTW, when my wife and I were trying to conceive, we avoided using lubricants around ovulation time. Back then, we didn’t know about osmolality. We just figured it would work better to go natural.

I get my car lubricated every 3 months along with an oil change!

 

[Lost_Sheep]

We just figured it would work better to go natural.

Well, that is the problem right there.

Factors such as age, menopause, medications one takes can have an effect of how well a woman naturally lubricates. If she is unable to lubricate naturally, then an artificial lubricant might be necessary.

 

[pensmama87]

Well, that is the problem right there.

Factors such as age, menopause, medications one takes can have an effect of how well a woman naturally lubricates. If she is unable to lubricate naturally, then an artificial lubricant might be necessary.

That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to use a product specifically formulated and sold for that purpose, though. As I said in my earlier post, you can use a product like coconut oil - it’s safe, you can use it for tons of other things (may want separate containers ), it’s much less expensive, and not likely to harm a couple’s chances of conceiving. Plus it washes out easily.

(I’ll add pregnancy, breastfeeding, and infertile parts of the cycle to that list. Not so for every woman, but still sometimes an issue.)

 

[Beryllos]

Well, that is the problem right there.

Factors such as age, menopause, medications one takes can have an effect of how well a woman naturally lubricates. If she is unable to lubricate naturally, then an artificial lubricant might be necessary.

Agreed. That describes my situation too.

 

[Bookcat]

Here’s something else to keep in mind: Many personal lubricant formulas have a tendency to draw water out of cells by osmosis.

There are other effects too from the ingredients (such as glycerin) in many of these products – that do things such as - effect mobility of -and even harm- the male seed.

 

[FrenzyJen]

In my above remarks, I didn’t address the morality, but was concerned for those trying to conceive, that they may choose wisely.

BTW, when my wife and I were trying to conceive, we avoided using lubricants around ovulation time. Back then, we didn’t know about osmolality. We just figured it would work better to go natural.

I meant not to combat anything that you said; I notice a lot of over-scrupulosity regarding sexual matters on here and wanted to head off any confusion for another couple.

Like in an ectopic pregnancy, the Catholic church says that you may remove the “sick” portion of fallopian tube. The embryo passing away as a result is the secondary result of the primary action of treating a medical problem.

As above, a couple using lubricant who has trouble producing their own naturally, is not using the lubricant as a contraceptive, but only to address a medical problem.

Certainly your information is good to know for couples trying to conceive; I just wanted to provide reassurance to couples who may be concerned that using lubricant is in itself sinful.

 

[VeritasLuxMea]

I know it is impermissible to use artificial contraception, but does the Church any objection to using artificial lubricants to help things go “smoothly” (as long as the lubricant does not have a contraceptive effect)?

And if so, what about some of these new lubricants on the market that contain some sort of magic pixie dust that is supposed to “enhance the experience”?

The main question has already been answered, so I’ll answer the second one.

I can’t think of any reason why it would be impermissible to use a substance that “enhances the experience.”