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Many females report using personal lubricants during intimate sexual activities to help alleviate vaginal dryness and the genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Clinicians also frequently use vaginal lubricants to conduct gynecologic exams. Lubricants are classified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as medical devices, and they are subject to more regulatory control than general-use products due to their intended use in contact with sensitive skin and mucosal tissues.
What we know:
Research indicates that some lubricants can disrupt the vaginal microbiome by altering its pH and microbial composition (McElroy et al., 2016).
There are a few differences in the vaginal microbiota and cytokine profiles of lubricant users and controls, and it was seen that there was a decrease in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus crispatus following use of lubricant, which is a predominant bacteria in a healthy vaginal microbiome (Tuddenham et al., 2021).
Most clinical and personal lubricants contain parabens and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), and CHG have a detrimental effect on the vaginal microbiota by decreasing the overall bacterial load, including health-associated Lactobacillus spp (Łaniewski et al., 2021).
Two commonly used brands of lubricant, Surgilube and KY Jelly, contain chlorhexidine and can alter vaginal microbiota (McElroy et al., 2016).
Water-based lubricants on the vaginal microbiome of premenopausal and postmenopausal women remained unchanged, although the vaginal microbiome differed significantly between them (Krychman et al., 2023).
Industry impact & potential:
The industry is shifting towards the development of microbiome-friendly lubricants.
Companies are focusing on formulations that support the natural vaginal flora, reduce irritation, and maintain optimal pH levels .
Our solution:
Sequential is a company dedicated to advancing microbiome research and testing formulas not only in skin, scalp, oral microbiome, but the vaginal microbiome as well. We utilize advanced genomic sequencing techniques to profile individual microbiomes, providing insights into the specific composition and health of the microbiome. We conduct human clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of products. These trials involve recruiting participants to test new formulations, ensuring real-world applicability and effectiveness
Reference:
Krychman, Michael MD; Hood, Sarah BS; Palacios, Santiago MD; Soe, Jin PhD. Evaluation
of the Effect of Water-Based Lubricants on the Vaginal Microbiome of Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women [ID: 1376703]. Obstetrics & Gynecology 141(5S):p 103S, May 2023. | DOI: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000931272.48436.ba
McElroy, Katie & Regan, Mary. (2016). Vaginal Microbiota and Lubricant Use During Labor:
Implications for Nursing Research, Practice, and Policy. SAGE Open Nursing. 2. 10.1177/2377960816662286.
Łaniewski P, Owen KA, Khnanisho M, Brotman RM, Herbst-Kralovetz MM. Clinical and
Personal Lubricants Impact the Growth of Vaginal Lactobacillus Species and Colonization of Vaginal Epithelial Cells: An in Vitro Study. Sex Transm Dis. 2021 Jan;48(1):63-70. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001272. PMID: 32842049; PMCID: PMC8793461.
Tuddenham S, Stennett CA, Cone RA, Ravel J, Macintyre AN, Ghanem KG, He X, Brotman
RM. Vaginal cytokine profile and microbiota before and after lubricant use compared with condomless vaginal sex: a preliminary observational study. BMC Infect Dis. 2021 Sep 18;21(1):973. doi: 10.1186/s12879-021-06512-x. PMID: 34537015; PMCID: PMC8449901.
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