Astroglide Allergy

[HumpX]

Not so much a question as a warning.....


I got a new girlfriend who just so happens to adore anal sex (sometimes you get lucky folks....). I promptly went out and bought a tube of Astroglide™ since not only is it recommended as being about the best lube for alternate penetration, it also makes for a fantastic aid in mutual masturbation. We used it with joyful abandon until 2 weeks ago when I started noticing a distinct burning sensation when I urinated. Since we were having anal sex regularly my first thought was "yeast infection". Turns out that there was no discharge or cloudy urine (which almost always happens with male yeast infections). Eventually I made my way to the Astroglide site which, lo and behold, warned that about 20% of users may develop a sensitivity to both the Glycerin and "Parabens" which their product contains (actually non-petroleum, water-based lubes use the same substances so this advice applies to nearly all of 'em).

The upside is they now make a version of their product minus the offending substances which I will be trying out later this evening. :happy:

Hopefully this post will keep a few people from freaking out (like I did) if they notice a similar situation developing.

-HumpX
(greetings from Wackbag)

[Dr Steve]

Not so much a question as a warning.....


I got a new girlfriend who just so happens to adore anal sex (sometimes you get lucky folks....). I promptly went out and bought a tube of Astroglide™ since not only is it recommended as being about the best lube for alternate penetration, it also makes for a fantastic aid in mutual masturbation. We used it with joyful abandon until 2 weeks ago when I started noticing a distinct burning sensation when I urinated. Since we were having anal sex regularly my first thought was "yeast infection". Turns out that there was no discharge or cloudy urine (which almost always happens with male yeast infections). Eventually I made my way to the Astroglide site which, lo and behold, warned that about 20% of users may develop a sensitivity to both the Glycerin and "Parabens" which their product contains (actually non-petroleum, water-based lubes use the same substances so this advice applies to nearly all of 'em).

The upside is they now make a version of their product minus the offending substances which I will be trying out later this evening. :happy:

Hopefully this post will keep a few people from freaking out (like I did) if they notice a similar situation developing.

-HumpX
(greetings from Wackbag)

Thanks man, it's true, the parabens in Astroglide can cause allergy or just plain skin irritation. Glycerine, a byproduct of soap manufacture, is less likely to cause irritation. Parabens are found in nature (methylparaben is found in blueberries and is antimicrobial) and can be manufactured as well.

There is a "Paraben controversy" out there, as a mass email went out a year or two ago that claimed parabens were toxic due to being found in breast cancer tissue and because they have some weak female hormone activity. These substances have been studied for years and no causal link between them and any serious disease has ever been found. Doesn't mean one doesn't exist, just that it's less and less likely with every negative study.

Let us know how the paraben-free astroglide works!

your pal,


steve