mineral oil as a lube

thhn,

Are you sure you want to use a laxative as a lubricant? One of the frequently listed problems with some of the more common sexual lubricants is the presence of glycerine (also a laxative). It would seem to me to be counter productive to introduce a compound into the rectum that will also lead you toward the “urge to purge”. Considering the frequency of many Aneros owners usage, I would think frequent enemas with this substance can not be good for the body. IMHO this would not make a good lube but you must use your good judgment regarding substances you introduce into your own body.

thhn,

Mineral oil is a petroleum distillate...it is in essence a thinner version of petroleum jelly. Personally, I have enough of a problem using petroleum distillates on my skin let alone on my delicate internal tissues. There are more friendly products that are out there. If you're really inclined to use an oil, by all means use something that is naturally derived, i.e. cocoa butter, coconut or one of the other nut oils.

As Rumel mentioned, the kind of purging that oral doses of mineral oil provides is not what you're after. Besides no one should be taking laxatives on an extended basis, unless it's under the direction of a physician.

BF Mayfield

I figured there must be a down side to it. I was just thinking that if it was recommended to be taken orally, then it should be safe. that makes very good sense not to use a laxative product that often.
thank you for pointing that out.
this board is such a wealth of information

i am going to dissent here.

(1) mineral oil is not a purgative like glycerin is. its action as a laxative is by lubricating the stool. so i don't think it will cause an urge to purge in the rectum any more than any other oil lubricant, and probably not at all.

(2) i'd want to hear more about petroleum products being hard on the skin. the most recommended diaper rash treatment is aquaphor which is petroleum based. i would think that what is fine on a baby's bottom is fine in the rectum. and, chemically, i don't see why a petroleum based oil would be any more or less irritating than a plant oil

my only question is how good a lubricant is it.

i think you should definitely give it a try. i plan to do so, comparing it w/ coconut oil, when i receive the latex-free syringes i ordered from walgreens.

darwin

Darwin,

I agree with you that mineral oil may not instigate the same purgative action as glycerin but I have to question your statement “i would think that what is fine on a baby's bottom is fine in the rectum.” There are just too many products to enumerate that say “FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY” that may be perfectly safe when used topically, but should never be taken internally.
Millennia of evolution has adapted the human organism to the various plant oil extracts we commonly accept as safe to use both externally and internally. Mineral oil is not one of those compounds that we evolved with and like so many other synthesized chemicals may yet be found to have harmful biological effects. While its temporary uses have apparently been benign to date, its repeated long term usage as an internal additive may be questionable. I just hope you consider that before use.
I am thinking that Aneros users may wish to employ a rotating stable of lubricants for our usage so that we are not continually exposed to the same chemical compounds having unknown, long term consequences.

rumel-

to me, there are two separate issues:
(1) does the product cause sensitivity problems in the rectum?
(2) does the product introduce potentially dangerous chemicals into the body?

i was addressing the first by saying that petroleum products are considered safe for sensitive skin, as in aquaphor (main ingredient is mineral oil) for baby's bottoms. based on that, i am questioning the argument that petroleum problems will introduce sensitivity problems in the rectum any more than any other product.

as far as the second issue, i agree that the likely safest products are those that are regularly eaten. that said, i don't know what the chemical make up of mineral oil is, and how scary it would be if i knew, compared, for example, to the scary looking ingredients in some of the water based lubes.

about rotating, i suppose that could help, but to me, i'd rather stay with a safe one uniformly.

darwin