Can You Use Yogurt As Lube For Vaginal Or Anal Sex?

Can You Use Yogurt As Lube?

Yogurt can technically be safe as an edible lube or for vaginal sex sometimes, but only if it is completely plain and unsweetened.

Here’s what you need to know about using yogurt as lube:

• Plain yogurt generally has a pH between 4.25 and 4.5, which is very similar to vaginal pH and won’t disrupt that balance. For this reason, however, yogurt is too acidic for the anus (which has a pH of 7 to 8) and can disrupt your natural anal pH, causing irritation or infection.
• Yogurt with added sugar or flavoring is not safe to use as a vaginal or anal lubricant because sugar feeds yeast, leading to overgrowth which can cause yeast infections.
• Yogurt is a dairy product, just like milk or butter, and can go rancid inside the vagina (or anus) if it isn’t adequately removed following penetrative sex. When dairy products spoil, bacteria grow at a rapid pace, which can lead to infections inside either orifice.
• Yogurt is messy and far more fragrant compared to formulated personal lubricants, so if you are sensitive to strong smells, you might want to avoid using yogurt as a vaginal lubricant.
• Yogurt is edible, and as such, it can be used for oral sex on a penis or vulva, as long as it is plain and unsweetened.
• There is no evidence to suggest that yogurt will degrade condoms, diaphragms, or dental dams, as research in this area is virtually nonexistent. Provided there are no added oils, yogurt may be compatible with these, but if STI or pregnancy are concerns, it’s best to avoid using it as lube with such barriers as a precaution.

For the most part, yogurt can be considered safe for oral or vaginal sex as long as it’s free from added flavoring, fruit, or sugar, but it’s still a risky prospect for certain people.

Although the pH of yogurt closely matches that of the vagina, the active flora found in yogurt might disturb your genitals if you have particularly sensitive skin or are prone to yeast infections.

If you have a sensitive vagina, choose a good pH-balanced lube instead of yogurt for lubricant.

Yogurt should never be used for anal sex, as yogurt’s pH is much lower than that of the anus.

Disruptions in anal pH can lead to irritation or infection, so it’s best to choose an appropriate anal lube instead.

Being edible, yogurt can be used for oral sex as long as it has no added sugar, flavorings, or fruit, but it can be messy to clean up — and it has a strong odor not everyone enjoys.

It’s important to remember that yogurt is a dairy product, which can spoil inside the warm confines of the vagina (or anus) if it isn’t adequately removed after sex.

As a lube alternative, yogurt has not been studied in terms of its compatibility with STI or pregnancy barriers, including condoms, diaphragms, or dental dams.

Because yogurt doesn’t contain oil (unless it is an added ingredient), it is likely safe, but if you’re worried about unintended pregnancy or STI transmission, it’s best to choose proper store-bought lube.

What Is Yogurt Made From And Is It Safe?

Yogurt is a milk byproduct, typically derived from cow’s milk, though it can also be made with goat’s milk, sheep’s milk, or even non-dairy milk derived from coconuts or almonds.

It is completely safe to eat, as long as you don’t have an allergy or intolerance to lactose.

The yogurt-making process involves fermenting raw milk with milk-specific microorganisms, resulting in a thick, creamy, and nutritious food.

After raw milk has been pasteurized and homogenized, a fermentation culture containing lactic acid bacteria is added to ferment the product, creating yogurt.

At that point, the yogurt is either left plain, or additional ingredients are mixed in, such as flavorings, sugar, or fruit mixtures.

Greek yogurt is made the exact same way, the only difference is that the yogurt is strained to remove some of the liquid whey, leaving behind a thicker substance that’s far denser.

Rich in probiotics, protein, calcium, and potassium, yogurt promotes a healthy balance of microflora in the intestines, feeding the healthy bacteria in your gut.

Additionally, yogurt can and has been used topically by many people to soothe irritation and help moisturize the skin.

As long as the yogurt you’re consuming is free of ingredients you are allergic to, it is completely safe for consumption.

As we mentioned earlier, yogurt is technically safe to use as a vaginal lubricant, it is important to remember that it should be free from added flavorings, fruit, or sugars.

What Are Better Lube Alternatives To Yogurt?

Instead of yogurt, we highly suggest using a store-bought personal lubricant that is body-safe.

There are many personal lubricant options available, including:

• Water-based lubricants
• Silicone-based lubricants
• Oil-based lubricants
• Organic/natural lubricants (water or oil-based)

Here’s a cheat sheet for selecting the best lube based on how you intend to use it:

Lube Type:	Water-Based	Silicone-Based	Oil-Based
Oral Sex	Yes	Yes	Not usually
Vaginal Sex	ONLY if pH/Osmolality suitable	Yes	Yes
Anal Sex	ONLY if pH/Osmolality suitable	Yes	Yes
Condom Types	All	All	Polyurethane, nitrile and lambskin only
Sex Toy Types	All	All but silicone	All but latex
Bath/Shower Use	No	Yes	Yes
Does It Stain?	No	Yes	Yes

Lube Type:
Oral Sex
Vaginal Sex
Anal Sex
Condom Types
Sex Toy Types
Bath/Shower Use
Does It Stain?

Unsure where to start searching for a personal lubricant?

Check out our in-depth lube guide or take our helpful lube quiz to find your best match.

Let’s take a quick look at the four main lubricant categories.

• Water-Based Lubricants

Water-based lube is a versatile type of lubricant because it can be used with any kind of condom, sex toy, dental dam, or diaphragm.

As its name suggests, water-based lube is water-soluble, making it easy to clean up since it rinses away with water.

That said, you can’t use a water-based lube in the bathtub or shower since it dissolves in water.

You’ll find that most water-based lubes need to be reapplied during lengthier sex sessions because they dry out over time.

Read our water-based lube review article if you’re interested in learning more about the safest and best water-based personal lubricants.

• Silicone-Based Lubricants

Unlike water-based lube, a silicone-based lubricant is long-lasting and doesn’t dry out.

The difference between silicone-based lube and water-based lube primarily comes down to ingredients and intended use.

Silicone lube typically feels a bit thicker and silky-smooth compared to a lightweight water-based lube.

The luxurious thick texture found in silicone lubricant makes it ideal for long-lasting sex and anal penetration.

Silicone lube is not compatible with silicone sex toys because it can damage the material, however, you can use silicone lube in the bath or shower without fear of it rinsing away.

If you’re searching for the best silicone-based personal lubes, our review will help you land on your next favorite silky smooth lube.

• Oil-Based Lubricants

Oil-based lubes are another great option for long-lasting sex sessions (and anal sex) because they don’t dry out and are extra hydrating.

Do keep in mind that some oil-based lubricants contain nut-based oils, which you should not use if you (or your partners) have nut allergies.

Do not use an oil-based lube with latex or polyisoprene condoms, diaphragms, or dental dams, because the oil will degrade their material.

Oil-based lubes are generally not safe for ingestion, as they can pose a choking hazard; for this reason, most are not suitable for anal sex.

Read through the best oil-based personal lubricants to find the best option for you.

• Natural And Organic Lubricants

You can find water-based or oil-based natural and organic personal lubricants, depending on your personal needs and preferences.

Similar to other oil-based lubes, natural and organic lubricants can be made with nut-based oils and should be avoided by anyone with nut allergies.

We’ve rounded up the best and safest natural and organic lubricants that are available right now if you’re looking for one.

Are There Any Safe Home Lube Alternatives?

There are a few safe home lube alternatives to consider if you’re looking for something that’s within arm’s reach right now:

• Aloe vera gel (pure)
• Argan oil
• Avocado oil
• CBD oil
• Coconut oil (virgin, unrefined)
• Shea butter
• Vitamin E oil

Oil-based lube alternatives should not be used with latex or polyisoprene barriers against STIs or pregnancy, including condoms, diaphragms, or dental dams.

Before applying a lube alternative to your genitals, do a patch test on your inner elbow to watch for signs of rash or irritation.

Bottom Line:

Even though you can use plain, unsweetened yogurt as a vaginal lubricant or for oral sex, there are better options out there for both.

Our best advice is to reach for a properly formulated personal lubricant or a safer at-home lube alternative if you’re in a pinch.

If you’re not sure about what you need, we suggest reading through our personal lube guide. Additionally, you can take our lube quiz to narrow down the best options for your situation — quickly.