Is it Okay to Use Saliva as Lube?

We’ve been around the internet block. We know the sensational headlines. With everyone vying for your attention, it’s becoming more and more difficult to discern what is sensational and what is sensical. We have some stuff to say. 

In the Name of Public Health

Well, first off, let’s get this out of the way- we are public health experts and advocates. That means when we communicate with the public, we will tend to err on the side of caution. As you may have noticed with the fallout of the COVID pandemic, there is a fine line to tread when it comes to portraying the gravity of a public health dilemma. There’s no way for us to tell what kind of sexual situations you are getting yourself into, on an individual level. In public health, we work at the population level. And according to the CDC’s 2022 STI Surveillance Report, the current sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates in the United States are concerning… 

Public health experts agree on this: we can do better. The CDC report is just one of many global indicators highlighting the importance of addressing these challenges head-on, with a call to action for a unified approach to curb STI rates around the world.  

On top of that, the World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm on the growing menace of antibiotic-resistant STIs, spotlighting gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis as the main culprits. Gonorrhoea, in particular, has emerged as a formidable opponent, developing robust resistance against a wide array of antibiotics. The situation has escalated to the point where strains of gonorrhea resistant to nearly all available antibiotics have been detected, earning the ominous nickname “super gonorrhea“. Gonorrhea may be leading the resistance race, but chlamydia and syphilis are not far behind.  

So, yeah. There is undoubtedly a reason to be cautious about the whos and whats coming in contact with your genitals. But let’s say you’re in a trusting monogamous relationship. Is saliva lube safe, then? Well, there’s some other things to consider, like the inherent properties of saliva and whether they confer actual lubrication. Now that we’ve covered our asses, let’s get into it. 

Effectiveness: Does Saliva Actually Lubricate? 

Saliva is free and typically readily available. Unless, of course, you have dry mouth. Haven’t you heard about how important hydration is for your sex life? Anyways… think about the following scenario:

You’ve got no lube 😥

You’ve already read through our guide on what to do when you’ve run out of lube, but alas, you and the hunny are embraced in the back of your Toyota Camry with no pantry in sight.

Fortunately, you’re adequately hydrated, slavering at the thought of getting intimate, and your mouth’s dew dances delicately on the precipice of the palate, awaiting its moment to mingle with sustenance of your darling.

You gracefully slobber on your hand, cloaking it with a glistening veneer of your elegant endogenous elixir. Is this going to work? Yes, temporarily. 

Many experts suggest that saliva is simply a bad lubricant. Well, that may be so, especially in comparison to your own glorious juices and the tediously formulated commercial products. But it’s not all bad. We know what makes a good lubricant, because we’ve studied Lube 101. So, let’s apply our knowledge:  

Properties Making Saliva an Effective Lubricant 

• Mucins: Saliva naturally lubricates the mouth, which is essential for chewing, swallowing, and speaking. This lubrication is due to the presence of mucins, glycoproteins that increase viscosity and help saliva to coat and protect oral tissues.  
• Water Content: Being predominantly water (about 98%), saliva can provide immediate, though temporary, lubrication, reducing friction effectively in the short term. 

Properties Making Saliva an Ineffective Lubricant 

• Evaporation and Absorption: The very same high water content that provides initial lubrication also means saliva evaporates and absorbs quickly. This reduces its effectiveness as a lubricant over time.. 
• Viscosity and Consistency: While mucins do add viscosity, saliva may still not be thick or consistent enough to provide the level of lubrication and cushioning that is often needed for comfortable, prolonged activity. Its thinner consistency compared to many commercial lubricants can lead to it being less effective at preventing friction over an extended period. 
• Enzymatic Activity: The presence of digestive enzymes in saliva, such as amylase, is another factor that can potentially affect its lubricating properties. While not directly related to lubrication, these enzymes can alter the environment they’re introduced to, potentially affecting the comfort and effectiveness of saliva as a lubricant. 

Saliva acts as an excellent lubricant within the mouth, but it’s a different story when it leaves the mouth and is applied elsewhere. This is due to a combination of its properties and the body’s ability to produce it continuously. 

Continuous Production

The salivary glands produce saliva continuously, but the rate of production can increase in response to various stimuli, such as the sight, smell, or taste of food, and even chewing motion. This ongoing production ensures that the mouth remains well-lubricated, facilitating speech, chewing, and swallowing.  

When saliva is used as a lubricant outside of the mouth, its effectiveness is short-lived due to the lack of continuous production in these areas. Once applied, it’s not replenished in the same way it is in the oral cavity. 

Mucins With the Assist

These glycoproteins in saliva not only help lubricate but also protect the mucous membranes of the mouth by forming a protective barrier. Their presence ensures that despite the relatively thin consistency of saliva, it can effectively coat and protect the oral surfaces. 

The skin and other body tissues absorb and evaporate the water in saliva more rapidly than the mucous membranes of the mouth. This means its lubricating effect diminishes quickly when used on skin or other areas outside the mouth. 

Environmental Conditions

The mouth is a controlled environment with a constant humidity level that helps maintain the lubricating properties of saliva. Outside this environment, factors like air movement, temperature, and surface absorbency can accelerate the loss of moisture from saliva, reducing its effectiveness as a lubricant. 

In summary, while saliva serves as an effective and continuous lubricant within the mouth thanks to the body’s ability to produce it on demand and its composition, these properties do not translate as effectively to external use where production is not continuous, and environmental factors diminish its lubricating properties more rapidly.  

What does this mean? Saliva has inherent properties that render it a useful lubricant for sex, but you may need to reapply if the body’s natural arousal cascade doesn’t take over. 

Safety: What STIs Are Transmitted from Saliva to Genitals? 

STIs are transmitted through bodily fluids like blood, semen, saliva, and other mucous-lined areas during sexual activities, including oral sex. Therefore, STIs can indeed be transmitted from the mouth to the genitals through oral sex.

For instance, gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that can grow in the mouth, throat, as well as the genital tract, showing that transmission is not limited to traditional means but can also occur through oral genital contact. 

Similarly, human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes genital warts and is associated with several cancers, can develop warts in the mouth or throat of individuals who have engaged in oral sex with an infected person. Don’t believe us? Just ask Michael Douglas.  

Further, herpes simplex virus (HSV) can be transmitted to the genital area through oral-genital contact. This includes both HSV-1, which is more commonly associated with oral herpes (cold sores), and HSV-2, which is more commonly associated with genital herpes. If a person has an active herpes sore (or sometimes even if they don’t, in the case of asymptomatic shedding) and engages in oral sex (or any kind of genital-saliva contact), the virus can be transmitted. 

And let’s not forget syphilis, chlamydia, and HIV.  

Caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, syphilis can produce sores in the mouth and on the genitals. If a person has an active syphilis sore in the mouth and engages in oral sex, they can transmit the bacteria to their partner’s genital area.  

While primarily affecting the genital tract, chlamydia can also infect the throat. Oral-genital contact can potentially transmit the bacteria from an infected throat to the genitalia of a partner, although this is less common than transmission through genital-genital contact. 

The risk of transmitting HIV through saliva alone is extremely low because saliva contains enzymes that break down the virus. However, if there are sores or cuts in the mouth or gums that bleed, mixed with the presence of other sexually transmitted infections, there might be a slight risk. The primary risk of HIV transmission through oral sex is when an infected person’s blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or rectal fluid comes into contact with their partner’s mucous membranes or damaged tissue. 

What does this mean? Using saliva as a sexual lubricant indeed carries the risk of contracting STIs. Proceed with caution if not in a trusting, monogamous relationship. 

pH Balance and the Microbiome: Will Using Saliva as Lube F*ck My Sh*t Up? 

Maybe.  

It’s not that we aren’t trying to be helpful. But, like we said, we are not your doctor. And you, my darling, you are a walking testament to the infinite artistry of biology, a story written in the language of molecules, a narrative of uniqueness that sings of the beauty of individuality. In your veins flows a chemistry so distinct, a signature of sui generis that sets you apart from all others. In other words, it depends on your individual sensitivities and biological responses, as well as those of your partner.  

The Role of pH and the Microbiome in Vaginal Health 

The vaginal environment is characterized by a slightly acidic pH, typically between 3.8 and 4.5, maintained primarily by lactobacilli, the dominant bacteria in a healthy vaginal microbiome. Lactobacilli produce lactic acid, which helps keep the pH at this acidic level, creating a protective barrier against pathogenic microorganisms. This delicate balance of pH and microbiome is crucial for vaginal health, preventing infections like bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections. 

Impact of Saliva on Vaginal pH and Microbiome 

Saliva, with its neutral to slightly alkaline pH (around 6.2 to 7.6), contrasts with the acidic vaginal environment. When introduced to the vagina, saliva has the potential to temporarily alter the vaginal pH. This shift towards a more neutral or alkaline environment can disrupt the balance of the vaginal microbiome, particularly affecting lactobacilli’s ability to thrive and produce lactic acid. 

• Dilution and Alkalinity: The introduction of saliva can dilute the vaginal secretions, potentially raising the pH and making the environment less acidic. This change can disrupt the vaginal microbiome’s balance, diminishing lactobacilli’s dominance and facilitating the growth of other, potentially harmful, bacteria or yeast. 
• Introduction of Oral Microbes: Saliva carries its own microbiome, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses from the mouth. Introducing these oral microbes into the vagina can lead to a temporary disruption of the vaginal microbiome. While the vagina is adept at restoring its natural balance, the introduction of foreign microbes could pose a challenge, especially if the vaginal microbiome is already compromised or if pathogenic organisms are present in the saliva. 
• Temporary vs. Long-term Effects: Any impact of saliva on the vaginal pH and microbiome is likely to be temporary, as the vagina has mechanisms to maintain its pH and microbial balance. However, repeated or significant exposure could potentially lead to more substantial imbalances, increasing the risk of infections or discomfort, particularly in individuals with a predisposition to vaginal dysbiosis or those with compromised vaginal health. 
• Individual Variability: The extent to which saliva might upset the vaginal environment varies between individuals, influenced by factors such as the overall health of the vaginal microbiome, hormonal fluctuations, and individual resilience to pH changes. 

What does this mean? Though saliva can serve as a natural lubricant, its impact on the vaginal pH and microbiome includes potential for temporary disruption. The vagina has the ability to maintain its health through a balance of pH and a stable microbiome. It’s a delicate process and introducing saliva, with its differing pH and microbial content, could challenge this balance (at least temporarily). 

BuT WhAt AbOuT ThE SaLiVaRy EnZyMeS?

Saliva contains enzymes such as amylase, which aids in digestion, and lysozyme, with antibacterial properties. Their roles are primarily beneficial in the oral cavity, but their impact on the vagina is less clear due to the lack of direct scientific studies. Given the vagina’s capability to regulate its microbiome and pH, any potential disruption from salivary enzymes is likely to be temporary and of minimal clinical significance for most individuals. 

An Important Note on Anal Sex 

While we previously discussed that saliva is a decent short-term lubricant for sex, we should mention that this isn’t really the case for anal sex. Anal sex requires more than “decent” lubrication. You’re going to need a lubier lube to prevent tearing (which may increase the risk of infection). 

Studies have shown that the use of saliva as a lubricant for anal sex could be a bad idea. One study found that using saliva as a lubricant for anal sex is significantly associated with an increased risk of rectal gonorrhea among men who have sex with men (MSM). This is concerning, considering that in a San Francisco population-based cohort of MSM, it was discovered that 87% of participants reported using saliva as a lubricant in various anal sexual activities at some point in their lives. Another study using MSM participants found that using spit/saliva as a lubricant is linked to a higher likelihood of acquiring rectal STIs, compared to other lubricant types. 

Hold Up! I’m Trying to Get Pregnant. Should I Avoid Using Saliva as a Lubricant? 

When it comes to fertility and trying to conceive (TTC), the choice of lubricant, including the use of saliva, can have implications. Research indicates that most lubricants, including saliva, can negatively impact sperm motility, which is crucial for conception. Specifically, saliva has been shown to significantly reduce sperm motility, with studies indicating a 50% reduction in motility within the first 5 minutes of exposure, and movement reducing to nearly zero within 15 minutes. In this study, it was observed that high concentrations of saliva induced a “shaking movement” in a portion of the sperm population and notably decreased sperm motility and progression, indicating a deleterious effect on sperm function. This suggests that, while saliva is a readily accessible lubricant, it may not be the best choice for couples trying to conceive due to its potential to impair sperm function. 

Furthermore, the context in which saliva impacts fertility is nuanced. Saliva is mostly water, and while water-based lubricants are known to negatively affect sperm’s journey, the actual impact of saliva on conceiving is considered unlikely to be significant unless the male partner has a low sperm count. Saliva creates a less-than-ideal environment for sperm because it lacks the salinity and nutrients present in semen and cervical fluid, which are conducive to sperm viability and motility. Nonetheless, the occasional use of saliva as a lubricant is not likely to have a substantial impact on a couple’s chances of conceiving, except potentially in cases where sperm quality or quantity is already an issue. 

For couples TTC, it’s recommended to consider lubricants that are specifically labeled as fertility-friendly. These products are designed to mimic the pH and consistency of cervical mucus, providing a supportive environment for sperm. If you’re using saliva as a lubricant out of necessity due to vaginal dryness, it may be beneficial to explore fertility-friendly lubricants that do not adversely affect sperm motility or viability. 

Some Other Considerations 

For obvious reasons, we would recommend avoiding saliva lube retrieved from a partner who has very recently eaten, has any type of infection (including non-STI infections, such as the flu or a cold), or smokes cigarettes.  

Make sure you keep yourself well stocked with lube, or at least know what can and cannot be used as lube. If you find a lube you and/or your partner like, it’s possible that you can opt in for a subscription so that it is automatically sent to your house. This is increasingly common among individual brands as well as retailers. Discreet shipping has also become the norm.  

And we have yet another smart solution. Keep your lube in your wallet. Yes- your wallet. Right next to your condoms and your credit card and the old receipts you’ll never look at. My Lube Card sells little packets of pleasure that can discreetly fit in your pocket or wallet. They’re even carry on-friendly and ship in discreet packaging. Now there’s nothing stopping you from secret vacation sex. Go on and get lubricated.