A suitable vaginal lubricant can be good for your health, no matter your stage of life! Whether you are trying to conceive, experiencing pain, having vaginal dryness associated with perimenopause/menopause, or wanting to experiment for sexual pleasure, there is a lube that is right for you. The best lubricants are water-based, buffered for balanced pH, and are free from preservatives like parabens and glycerol/ glycerin. Lubricants with preservatives and sugar can cause irritation and contribute to yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis. Paraben is a known endocrine disruptor.
If you are trying to conceive, you want a non-oil-based lubricant with good ingredients so that sperm movement is not compromised (the first 2 in this list). For vaginal pain, I recommend the addition of CBD (3 on this list). For menopause and perimenopause, many women experience vaginal dryness from decreased estrogen. All of the lubricants below are great for women with vaginal dryness. In the end, the best thing to do is to try a few and see which ones feel the best!
1. Good Clean Love BioGenesis Fertility Lubricant
I love that this company is in Eugene, OR. Good Clean Love also has a product called Almost Naked Personal Lubricant. I highly recommend this product for those trying to conceive. It is free of parabens, petrochemicals, and glycerin.
Ingredients: Purified Water, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Lactic Acid, Magnesium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid
2. Babydance Fertility Lubricant
I received a sample of this big-box alternative a few years ago at the Integrative Fertility Symposium. I found it to be a little bit sticky but it is included here because of its ingredients.
Ingredients: Purified water, Hypromellose, Carbomer homopolymer type B, Sodium and potassium phosphate, Sodium chloride, Raspberry-derived xylose, Sodium hydroxide, Phenethyl alcohol, Caprylyl glycol, Salvia sclarea
3. GoLove CBD Intimate Serum
While I wouldn’t recommend this lubricant if you are trying to conceive, it is an excellent option if you have vaginal pain or dryness. It is free of parabens, glycerin, alcohol, glycol, petrochemicals, silicone, fragrance, and artificial coloring. It is recommended that you apply about 15 minutes before intimacy.
Ingredients: Deionized Water, Glyceryl Laurate, Gluconolactone, Organic Hemp Extract with naturally occurring Cannabidiol (CBD), Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceratonia siliqua, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Lauryl Glucoside, Isopropyl N-Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Benzoate, Natural (Certified Organic) Flavor
4. Gennev Personal Lubricant for Women
This company also carries a daily moisture lube specifically designed for menopause and perimenopause. Some users found it to be slightly sticky.
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid
5. Slippery Stuff
This one is true to its name. It isn’t sticky and doesn’t leave a tacky residue. Like many water-based lubricants, you might need to apply more than once. It is paraben and glycerin free.
Ingredients: De-ionized water, polyoxyethylene, sodium carbomer, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexyglycerin.
6. Uberlube
This lube makes a special mention on this list, even though it’s silicone based and not water-based. Its slippery consistency leaves you feeling silky smooth, and it’s free of parabens, preservatives, and petrochemicals.
Post by Liz Richards, Owner of Blossom Clinic and Fertility Acupuncturist of 20 years.