Doctor warns against a surprising sex mistake that could ruin your health
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One of the most underrated activities in keeping couples healthy and happy, sex is often swept under the rug, so to speak, at least in open conversation.
But trust us, there are things worth discussing when it comes to this spicy topic.
A sexual health expert has revealed a common bedroom practice that could be putting your health at risk.
Dr Danae Maragouthakis, a sexual health expert based at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, has warned against the use of saliva as a lubricant during sex.
Studies show around 40 per cent of people admit to using their own or a partner's saliva as a lubricant. For men who have sex with men, this figure rises to nearly 90 per cent.
In a video online that has since garnered over 719,000 views, Dr Maragouthakis explained why saliva should not be used instead of lubricant.
'Though saliva may always be available to you, it should not be used in place of lube,' she cautioned.
The reason for this warning lies in the composition of saliva. Saliva contains enzymes that are designed to break down food.
When introduced to the vagina, these enzymes can disrupt the vaginal microbiome—the community of healthy bacteria that help fight infection. This disruption can lead to skin irritation and increase the risk of developing a yeast infection, such as thrush or bacterial vaginosis.
These conditions occur when the balance of yeast and bacteria that naturally exist in the vagina is thrown off. In some cases, saliva can inflame your vagina, which leads to itching and burning.
Moreover, according to gynaecologist Dr Felice Gershsaliva, saliva does not make for an effective lubricant as it evaporates and dries quickly.
However, the risks of using saliva as a lubricant extend beyond skin irritation and infections. Dr Maragouthakis warned that saliva can also transmit sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Saliva can carry infectious gonorrhea, although scientists are still unclear as to how much saliva would amount to a gonorrhea transmission.
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection transmitted through contact with semen, vaginal fluids, or saliva on or inside the genitals, anus, or mouth.
Chlamydia may also be present in saliva, although less commonly. This can be spread by kissing and oral-to-genital and genital-to-genital contact, according to Dr Sara Bares, an infectious diseases specialist.
Syphilis is less prone to transmission through saliva, yet the bacteria in syphilis can be found in oral sores, making transmission possible through kissing.
Watch her video below:
According to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System, over 80,400 STI cases were reported in the first six months of 2023. This has increased by 23 per cent compared to the first half of 2022.
Another doctor shared her insights on social media when she boldly touted oral sex creates a greater risk for throat cancer, despite other research claiming that tobacco use is the number-one risk factor. Read about her alarming story here.
Have you ever considered the potential risks of using saliva as a lubricant? What steps do you take to protect your sexual health? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
But trust us, there are things worth discussing when it comes to this spicy topic.
A sexual health expert has revealed a common bedroom practice that could be putting your health at risk.
Dr Danae Maragouthakis, a sexual health expert based at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, has warned against the use of saliva as a lubricant during sex.
Studies show around 40 per cent of people admit to using their own or a partner's saliva as a lubricant. For men who have sex with men, this figure rises to nearly 90 per cent.
In a video online that has since garnered over 719,000 views, Dr Maragouthakis explained why saliva should not be used instead of lubricant.
Dr Maragouthakis warned about the use of saliva as a lubricant. Credit: @yoxlyhealth / TikTok
'Though saliva may always be available to you, it should not be used in place of lube,' she cautioned.
The reason for this warning lies in the composition of saliva. Saliva contains enzymes that are designed to break down food.
When introduced to the vagina, these enzymes can disrupt the vaginal microbiome—the community of healthy bacteria that help fight infection. This disruption can lead to skin irritation and increase the risk of developing a yeast infection, such as thrush or bacterial vaginosis.
These conditions occur when the balance of yeast and bacteria that naturally exist in the vagina is thrown off. In some cases, saliva can inflame your vagina, which leads to itching and burning.
Moreover, according to gynaecologist Dr Felice Gershsaliva, saliva does not make for an effective lubricant as it evaporates and dries quickly.
However, the risks of using saliva as a lubricant extend beyond skin irritation and infections. Dr Maragouthakis warned that saliva can also transmit sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Saliva can carry infectious gonorrhea, although scientists are still unclear as to how much saliva would amount to a gonorrhea transmission.
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection transmitted through contact with semen, vaginal fluids, or saliva on or inside the genitals, anus, or mouth.
Chlamydia may also be present in saliva, although less commonly. This can be spread by kissing and oral-to-genital and genital-to-genital contact, according to Dr Sara Bares, an infectious diseases specialist.
Syphilis is less prone to transmission through saliva, yet the bacteria in syphilis can be found in oral sores, making transmission possible through kissing.
Watch her video below:
According to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System, over 80,400 STI cases were reported in the first six months of 2023. This has increased by 23 per cent compared to the first half of 2022.
Another doctor shared her insights on social media when she boldly touted oral sex creates a greater risk for throat cancer, despite other research claiming that tobacco use is the number-one risk factor. Read about her alarming story here.
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