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Are you compromising your undercarriage?
TikTok influencers are raving about what they say is an ideal natural lubricant, but experts warn that it can actually wreak havoc on your vaginal microbiome.
And if you’re trying to avoid pregnancy and STDs, beware — it can make condoms less effective, too.
Coconut oil has long been lauded for its full-body benefits, from a healthy alternative to butter to a helpful cure for halitosis and hangovers. But the pros say coconut in the cooch is a no-go, folks.
“Coconut oil sounds like it would be a gentle and natural option as a lubricant; however, vaginal health is more nuanced than that,” OBGYN and MPH Dr. Kate McLean, Chief Medical Officer at Evvy, told The Post.
Downstairs trouble
While coconut oil is not dramatically alkaline, it can alter the vaginal environment by disrupting the balance of protective Lactobacillus bacteria that help maintain an acidic, healthy pH.
“When you introduce an oil that isn’t designed for vaginal use, it can shift that delicate balance. Coconut oil may coat the vaginal canal and alter the local environment in a way that makes it harder for those protective bacteria to thrive,” McLean said.
Though coconut oil fans point to having lauric acid — a fatty acid known for its antimicrobial properties that they claim could help prevent infections — McLean says this is more myth than medicine.
“We don’t have high-quality human trials demonstrating that coconut oil, or lauric acid specifically, safely prevents infections in the vaginal environment.”
Further, those lauded antimicrobial properties could potentially be compromising vaginal flora.
“The vagina relies on protective bacteria to maintain an acidic, stable environment,” she added. “While we don’t have strong clinical trials specifically showing coconut oil wipes out ‘good’ vaginal bacteria, we also don’t have evidence proving it selectively preserves them.”
And the quality of the coconut oil has no bearing on its efficacy as a personal lubricant.
“When it comes to vaginal health, ‘virgin’ or ‘cold-pressed’ coconut oil doesn’t meaningfully change the core concerns,” she explained. “Those labels refer to how the oil is processed from a medical perspective; the potential risks, like microbiome disruption or condom incompatibility, are essentially the same regardless of whether the oil is refined, virgin, or cold-pressed.”
Less safe sex
While coconut oil may temporarily reduce friction, it can weaken latex condoms, making sex slick but not necessarily safe.
“Oil and latex don’t mix,” she stressed. “Coconut oil can begin weakening latex condoms within minutes, making them more prone to tearing even if there’s no visible damage. If someone is relying on condoms for pregnancy or STI prevention, using a lubricant explicitly labeled as condom-compatible is the safest and most predictable choice.”
The same goes for butt stuff.
“Coconut oil can feel slick and longer-lasting, but it will weaken latex condoms and isn’t specifically formulated or tested for anal tissue, which is more prone to small tears.”
For any lubrication, McLean recommends a high-quality silicone-based lubricant.
“It is usually the safest and most reliable option because it provides a durable glide while maintaining condom integrity and helping protect the tissue from friction.”
Perimenopause problems
When vaginal dryness is related to hormonal shifts like perimenopause or menopause, coconut oil can assuage but not correct the issue.
“It may temporarily reduce friction because it’s an oil, but that’s not the same as improving vaginal tissue health or addressing the underlying cause,” the doc said.
For persistent dryness, she recommends Evvy’s Hyaluronic Acid or Estradiol Vaginal Cream. For customers concerned about chemical content and/or prone to yeast infections, she suggests a water-based personal lubricant that is fragrance- and paraben-free, without added glycerin.
Keep it out
As for other vaginal trends to stay away from, McLean says the list is exhaustive.
“Things like garlic, yogurt, apple cider vinegar, essential oils, hydrogen peroxide, and DIY douches are common but can irritate tissue and disrupt the vaginal microbiome, often causing more harm than good,” she said, emphasizing that when it comes to vaginal tissue, “natural” does not mean safe.
“Introducing kitchen-based or antimicrobial remedies can disrupt that balance and cause irritation. If something hasn’t been specifically studied or formulated for vaginal use, it’s generally best not to put it inside the vagina,” she said.
