Lubricant Preference by Country

In the U.S., petroleum jelly (Vaseline) is the traditional lube with KY jelly used in medical settings. What lubes do people in other countries use?

I agree that it is KY in medical settings and perhaps Vaseline for personal use. One thing about KY in medical settings seems to be the increasing popularity of using individual packets rather than having KY tubes on display.

During a play exam I always use KY jelly or a similar generic product, it works well for both vaginal and rectal examinations and it's water based. I think Vaseline would be too thick and wouldn't give the same lubrication as KY. RT's are not common in the UK anyway, apart from a few kinksters perhaps...

Surgilube is used during the play exams and real ones, too. Here in the US. For personal fun, we use aloe cadabra. I'm pretty sensitive to KY jelly or other lubes inserted in my vagina....so aloe cadabra works perfect for vaginal use. If it's to take my RT, Anthony will use KY jelly. Also, I use KY for the enemas.

I think water-based lubricants have been available to the general public in France since circa 1995? I think in the 1980s they were probably available from sex shops not from supermarkets.

The cliché about anal sex was Vaseline.

My mother used Vaseline when she inserted the thermometer herself, and Vaseline was used for the rectal exam I received in emergency at home. I don't know what lubricant was used in hospital, probably something more professional.

Mom used to use Vaseline for my sister and me when taking our temps and giving enemas. Of course, I only got one when I was nine but I asked my sister who got them often and she said mom used Vaseline. Many years later when I was taught that enemas were good and fun we used KY. I have some Vaseline here. I bought it for my feet. Slather it on and put socks on and the next day your feet will be softer. I use Vicks also for that. Just don't forget and yank your socks off the next morning and walk to the potty barefooted forgetting what is on your feet. You may bust your ass or in my case I did the splits and it hurt. I have wondered why use Vaseline on a nozzle. My sisters girlfriends niece and I tried it. It was harder to clean and collected crap in between the grooves and in the holes. That was even after enemas and letting the water run through it. I remember we took the nozzle and put the part which goes to the hose under the water in the tub with our hands around it so most of the water would go in it. It blew crap out of it. That was convincing enough to stick to KY or water-soluble lubes. They use KY in the OB/GYN clinic I worked in and at the hospitals and my doctor uses it. I don't care for Surgilube. I had a few packets from the hospital after doing an external ultrasound. It had a chemical scent and dried faster so I found where KY had no scent and stayed slippery for longer. USA

@Tabitha32 , I agree. Upon further reflection, I remember one of the last times using surgilube, it just dried up and left flaky specs. Doesnt make for great video or photo shots during RT's haha. KY is the best route, slicker, though it makes for a harder time getting a firm grip on the colon tube when trying to insert it. I used a paper towel last time to hold the tube. I panicked for a second haha as the tube didn't want to cooperate.

Vaseline and KY lube

I've never heard of a hospital or clinic using Vaseline as a lubricant for any type of invasive exam. It's thick, sticky and a terrible mess to clean up.

At home, I prefer KY or Astroglide.

Shygirl17

Were you putting the colon tube inside yourself? If we lived closer I would help you or we could help each other.

@Tabitha32 , I agree. Upon further reflection, I remember one of the last times using surgilube, it just dried up and left flaky specs. Doesnt make for great video or photo shots during RT's haha. KY is the best route, slicker, though it makes for a harder time getting a firm grip on the colon tube when trying to insert it. I used a paper towel last time to hold the tube. I panicked for a second haha as the tube didn't want to cooperate.

@Shygirl17 When I bought my colon tube and tried it, I had the same problem as you as far as getting a firm grip on it and sliding in my hand. Someone mentioned on here of using a latex glove years ago so I decided to try it, works a lot better. Although I use Nitrile gloves, try it and let us know if it helps.

I am a great believer in traditional Vaseline myself. I like that it is thick and adherent. Because it is not water soluble it tends not to wash away easily with repeated insertions of, for example, an enema nozzle. I also like the iconic look of an old fashioned jar of Vaseline. Yes, one has to be thorough in cleaning all equipment afterwards, but liberal detergent and warm water, along with soft bristled brushes, always works well.

@Pecan_nutjob

The cliché about anal sex was Vaseline.

I remember hearing the classic line 'n'oubliez pas la vaseline' in the movie 'le Souffle au Coeur' when the main actor/student Laurent is called up to the priest's room for his confession. And the ironic part was that even though a wit called this out during gym class, the teacher didn't think much of the comment, just saying something like 'cut it out guys' ... you'd think a teacher would otherwise be outraged at the implied allegation. But no, just daily life in Catholic school in 1950s France back then ... ha ha

But then again, the movie took place and was made in different times. You could smile back then at what you thought went on between priest and student in the privacy of the priest's room ... ha ha.

I've never heard of a hospital or clinic using Vaseline as a lubricant for any type of invasive exam. It's thick, sticky and a terrible mess to clean up.

At home, I prefer KY or Astroglide.

There is also the distinctive odor and smell of Vaseline. It always puts me in mind of something anal, even when used in other situations.

I find it somewhat off putting for sexual situations, even solo sexual situations.

I find it somewhat off putting for sexual situations, even solo sexual situations.

It isn't very slick, certainly nowhere near as slippery as water- or silicone-based lubes.

And the clean-up is a nightmare.

I'd rather masturbate dry than cover myself in Vaseline.

I remember the booklet we had at home about taking temperatures said petroleum jelly was fine but K-Y jelly was "milder" and good for small children. I always wondered what that meant. This was in the US in the 1980s.

@ps34 I would not have used "milder" but certainly KY jelly leaves less residue.