People who use lubricants during anal sex are three times as likely to contract a rectal infection than those who don’t, putting them at much higher risk of contracting STDs and HIV, according to a new UCLA study. New research also shows HIV transmission is nearly 20 times higher in unprotected anal sex than unprotected vaginal sex.

The study, which took place between 2006 and 2008 with nearly 900 men and women participating, found that 229 men and 192 women said they have partaken in receptive anal sex in the past year. About half said they used lubricants, and the majority of participants who used lubes had contracted STDs. Not good.

Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh studied the six most popular brands of lubricants used for anal sex. Five water-based lubes-Astroglide, Elbow Grease, ID Glide, KY Jelly and PRE-and one condom-safe silicon-based-Wet Platitum-were tested. Research found that water-based lubes draw water out of cells, weakening and even killing the cells. Some of the tested products also weakened or destroyed the surface of epithelial cells, which act as a sort of protective cover in the mouth, nose, and rectum. The safest of the six lubricants were Wet Platiunum and PRE, while the most harmful appeared to be Astroglide and KY Jelly.

The effects of lubricant in anal sex is a topic that hasn’t been studied very much-the study out of Pittsburgh is the first to ever examine the effects of lubricants in anal sex-but the International Microbicides Conference is putting out the call for more research.

“We know we can’t make any conclusions based on this one small study,” Marc-Andre LeBlanc of the IMC said in a news release. “Further research is absolutely necessary to understand the potential role of sexual lubricants in HIV transmission. We should be able to provide consumer guidance regarding lubes that are found to be safer than others.” Currently there’s not enough research to do so.

This is obviously disheartening for men who have sex with men-90% of which, gay or not, say they have participated in receptive anal sex. More men say they use lubricants than condoms, increasing the risks of transmitting STDs and HIV substantially.

-(queersight)

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