Vaginal lubricants: efficacy, tolerability, safety and functionality

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2023.179

Stenyaeva N.N., Sattarova V.V., Pashkevich K.I., Khritinin D.F., Osipova O.A., Stenyaev E.Yu.
1) Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia; 2) "Biorhythm" Laboratory LLC, Yekaterinburg, Russia; 3) I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia; 4) Belarusian State Medical University, Minsk, Republic of Belarus

A systematic analysis of the information available in modern literature (Medscape, Medline, PubMed, eLibrary, CyberLeninka, Google scholar databases in 2010–2022) on the safety, tolerability, efficacy and features of the use of vaginal lubricants was carried out. The main types of chemical composition and physiological characteristics of vaginal lubricants are presented; targeted lubricants are considered in the light of clinical situations. A number of studies have convincingly shown that the intrinsic toxicity of individual components of lubricants, in addition to pH and osmolality, are of great importance for the their safety. When developing lubricants, special attention is paid to safety issues, not only from the point of view of the impact on the mucous membrane and microbiota of the woman's vagina, but also compatibility with germ cells, fertilization and embryos for couples who are not protected from pregnancy, as well as for use by medical workers during manipulations in assisted reproductive technology programs. For patients with symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA), lubricants are an alternative to hormone therapy; when applied to the tissues of the vulvovaginal region, they eliminate the effects of dryness, provide moisture to the mucosa, and increase the index of vaginal health. The osmolality of the gel does not affect the viability of lactobacilli. Lubricant microbiocides are the most convenient way to use special antiseptics against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with proven activity. Some lubricants contain special additives enhancing the genital sexual response during sexual intercourse.
Conclusion: The analysis of scientific data confirms the feasibility of widespread use of lubricants for sexual dysfunction, as moisturizers for VVA, as well as the possibility of their using during pregnancy, for postcoital cystitis, to reduce the risk of infection with STIs during sexual intercourse.

Authors' contributions: Stenyaeva N.N. – review of publications on the topic of the article, analysis of the data obtained, formation of an article plan, writing the text of the manuscript; Sattarova V.V. – review of publications on the topic of the article, analysis of the data obtained, writing the text of the manuscript; Pashkevich K.I., Khritinin D.F. – editing and analysis of the obtained data; Osipova O.A. – search for literary data; Stenyaev E.Yu. – data collection
Conflicts of interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Funding: The article was published with the support of Biorhythm Laboratory LLC.
For citation: Stenyaeva N.N., Sattarova V.V., Pashkevich K.I., Khritinin D.F.,
Osipova O.A., Stenyaev E.Yu. Vaginal lubricants: efficacy, tolerability, safety and functionality.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2023; (8): 203-210 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2023.179

lubricants

sexual intercourse

vaginal dryness

dyspareunia

lactobacilli

microbiota

sexual dysfunction

Full text (in Russian)

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Received 31.07.2023

Accepted 08.08.2023

Natalya N. Stenyaeva, Ph.D., Senior Researcher at the Department of Andrology and Urology, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, +7(903)538-03-34, nataliasten@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6495-3367,
117997, Russia, Moscow, Ak. Oparina str., 4.
Valeria V. Sattarova, Chief Specialist, Biorhythm Laboratory LLC, +7(912)244-30-79, SVV73@yahoo.com, 620091, Russia, Yekaterinburg, Front Brigades str., 19.
Kazimir I. Pashkevich, Dr. Sci. (Chemistry), Professor, Director, Biorhythm Laboratory LLC, +7(343)214-80-50, info@bior.ru,
620091, Russia, Yekaterinburg, Front Brigades str., 19.
Dmitry F. Khritinin, Corresponding Member of RAS, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor at the Department of Psychiatry and Narcology, Faculty of Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenov University), +7(495)609-14-00, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9107-2357,
119991, Russia, Moscow, Trubetskaya str., 8-2.
Olga A. Osipova, Ph.D., Head of the Quality Control Division, Biorhythm Laboratory LLC, +7(906)808-96-73, formulator@bior.ru,
620091, Russia, Yekaterinburg, Front Brigades str., 19.
Evgeny Yu. Stenyaev, 5th year student of the Medical Faculty of Foreign Students of the Educational Institution, Belarusian State Medical University, Minsk, +7(905)579-73-81.

Vaginal lubricants: efficacy, tolerability, safety and functionality

Stenyaeva N.N., Sattarova V.V., Pashkevich K.I., Khritinin D.F., Osipova O.A., Stenyaev E.Yu.

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