Can You Use Icy Hot As Lube Or For Anal Sex?
Icy Hot, Bengay, or other similar topical pain relievers, are NEVER safe to use as a personal lubricant for any sexual situation.

Updated:October 2022
NO — Icy Hot should never be used as a lubricant during any sexual activity or circumstance because its ingredients are too irritating for genital use and the sensations it causes are far too intense for this purpose.
Here’s why:
- Icy Hot is a topical analgesic (pain reliever) designed to soothe sore muscles by delivering an intense cooling and warming sensation upon application, however, the warnings on its label clearly state that cases of serious burns have been reported when using products of this type (such as Bengay).
- Icy Hot is not meant to be used on mucus membranes (like the vagina or anus) because of the high risk of excessive skin irritation associated with the product.
- Icy Hot’s active ingredients include menthol (10%) for cooling pain relief and methyl salicylate (30%) for a warming sensation — both of which are too harsh for use on the genitals or anus, even during external use (like masturbation of the penis or vulva).
- Icy Hot is also not meant to be used internally or ingested so it cannot be used during penetrative or oral sex.
Icy Hot is not a safe lube alternative for any type of sex — ever.

Medically Reviewed By: Susan Milstein, PhD, Human Sexuality