BLOOMINGTON, Ind.—An Indiana University study of more than 2,400 women found that they overwhelmingly found sex more enjoyable when a lubricant was used.
The study, which was published and presented in November, was conducted by Debbie Herbenick, associated director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University, and her colleagues, UPI.com reports.
A total of 2,453 women—ages 18 to 68—used one of six different water- or silicone-based lubricants as part of the study. The average age of women was 32; 56 percent were married, and a total of 85 percent were heterosexual.
More than 70 percent of the women reported that the use of lubricants made penetration more comfortable. Additionally, the findings noted that when lubricant was used, vaginal tearing occurred in less than 1 percent of vaginal intercourse acts, and genital pain was reported in less than 5 percent of intercourse acts.
