Coconut oil is also an emollient, meaning that it locks in moisture wherever it’s applied. This can create a breeding ground for bacteria, including the bacteria responsible for BV. Because of this, coconut oil may actually make BV symptoms worse when applied to the vagina.
Does coconut oil mess with vaginal pH?
It may increase the risk of vaginal infections
Coconut oil has a high pH, making it alkaline, while the normal pH of the vagina is acidic. These properties can disrupt the natural pH balance of your vagina. This upset can cause yeast infections or other vaginal infections.
Can lubricants give you BV?
The available epidemiological data suggest that the use of lubricants is associated with increased risk of vaginal dysbiosis or BV.
Can you get an infection from coconut oil?
Coconut oil is super popular for all kinds of health and cosmetic uses. There’s not really any research on this topic, but we haven’t seen any evidence suggesting that it would cause an infection (though allergies or irritation is possible when you put any kind of product on sensitive skin).
Is coconut oil good for bacterial infection?
Medium-chain fatty acid constituents of coconut oil including lauric acid, capric acid, and others provide antimicrobial effect by disrupting bacterial, fungal, and viral cell membranes, leading to cell death.
Can lube throw off pH balance?
Lube can contain ingredients that are irritating to the vagina, cause an imbalance in pH levels, or actually promote dryness.
Can using coconut oil as lube cause UTI?
Coconut Oil Can Possibly Cause Infection
It’s not exactly clear why some people are more infection-prone, but if you are, you may want to play it safe. “Because coconut oil is antibacterial and antifungal, it has the potential to disrupt the pH balance in your vagina and cause a yeast infection,” warned Dr.
Can you get an infection from lubricant?
Never use flavored lubes for vaginal intercourse—they contain sugar (glucose) and can cause yeast infections. Lubes containing glycerine can also trigger yeast infections.
Does bacteria grow in coconut oil?
Can Bacteria Grow in Coconut Oil? You definitely don’t want bacteria to take over any of your household foods, and coconut oil is no exception. Mold and bacteria can infect the oil if you’re not careful. Keep the lid screwed on tight to prevent bacteria growth in coconut oil.
Can you put coconut oil on your VAG if it’s itchy?
Many women use coconut oil as lubrication to calm down an itchy vulva. Coconut oil may even help soothe itching from a yeast infection. Coconut oil has anti-fungal properties that may bring vagina flora into balance. .
Can BV go away on its own?
At times, BV will go away without treatment. However, treatment can help avoid the increased chance of some serious health risks associated with BV, including: Getting or transmitting HIV; Delivering your baby too early if you have BV while pregnant; and.
What type of lube is best for vaginal health?
Long-lasting silicone lubricants are your best bet. If you’re prone to yeast infections. Stay away from lubricants with glycerin. The compound can irritate your vagina and kill good bacteria, triggering an infection.
What kind of lube do gynecologists use?
Water Based Lube
Water based lubes are the most common lube types to find.
What is the pH of coconut oil?
7-8
Coconut oil has a pH of 7-8 and if healthy skin’s natural pH is around 5, it means that coconut oil is essentially 100-1,000 times more alkaline than your skin. This can cause havoc on your skin and make any skin condition you have a lot worse!
Can you put coconut oil on your urethra?
When using coconut oil for UTIs, you may apply it liberally to the external genital area. Since a UTI is located in the bladder, using this oil topically won’t necessarily stop the infection. Instead, it helps with external symptoms, like burning. People who are allergic to coconut shouldn’t try this method.
What should you not use for lube?
People should avoid the use of petroleum jelly, lotion, butter, or spit as lubricant alternatives, due to the increased risk of infection or irritation.
What causes BV?
BV is often caused by gardnerella vaginalis, the most common type of bacteria in your vagina. Anything that changes the chemistry of your vagina’s pH balance can mess with bacteria levels and lead to infection — like douching or using vaginal deodorants and other irritating products.
How can I increase my natural lubrication?
Vaginal dryness can affect women at any age, but it is especially common during menopause. Studies suggest that supplements like vitamin E, vitamin D, sea buckthorn oil, hyaluronic acid, fish oil, and DHEA could help increase vaginal lubrication.
Is coconut oil a probiotic?
The probiotic effect of coconut oil also seems to work when coconut oil is applied topically too. Coconut oil improves the bacterial content of the scalp in people who suffer from chronic dandruff. Addition of the coconut oil even helped reduce dandruff symptoms [R].
Is coconut oil sterile?
It’s usually smoke-, sun- or kiln-dried or a combination of the three. But when standard copra is used to make coconut oil, it’s not sterile and therefore unsuitable for human consumption. It’s “purified” or refined through a process known as RBD — refined, bleached and deodorized.
Do bacteria thrive in oil?
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the bacteria cannot grow in the oil itself, it must have a watery media.