Surgical lubricants, or medical lubricants, are substances used by health care providers to provide

lubrication Lubrication is the process or technique of using a lubricant to reduce friction and wear and tear in a contact between two surfaces. The study of lubrication is a discipline in the field of tribology. Lubrication mechanisms such as fluid-lubr ...

and lessen discomfort to the patient during certain medical and surgical procedures such as

vaginal In mammals and other animals, the vagina (: vaginas or vaginae) is the elastic, muscular reproductive organ of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vulval vestibule to the cervix (neck of the uterus). The vaginal introit ...

rectal examination Digital rectal examination (DRE), also known as a prostate exam (), is an internal examination of the rectum performed by a healthcare provider. Prior to a 2018 report from the United States Preventive Services Task Force, a digital exam was a c ...

s. Some example of surgical compatible lubricants are: * Surgilube is a surgical lubricant made of natural water-soluble gums that also contains the antiseptic

chlorhexidine gluconate Chlorhexidine is a disinfectant and antiseptic which is used for skin disinfection before surgery and to disinfect surgical instruments. It is also used for cleaning wounds, preventing dental plaque, treating yeast infections of the mouth, ...

. * K-Y Jelly was initially used as a surgical lubricant before it gained popularity as a

personal lubricant Personal lubricants (colloquially termed lube) are specialized lubricants used during sexual acts, such as intercourse and masturbation, to reduce friction to or between the penis and vagina, anus or other body parts, or applied to sex toys to ...

. * Lignocaine gel containing the local anaesthetic

lignocaine Lidocaine, also known as lignocaine and sold under the brand name Xylocaine among others, is a local anesthetic of the amino amide type. It is also used to treat ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. When used for local anaesth ...

is a prime example of a non-irritating substances used as surgical lubricant * Medicinal

castor oil Castor oil is a vegetable oil pressed from castor beans, the seeds of the plant ''Ricinus communis''. The seeds are 40 to 60 percent oil. It is a colourless or pale yellow liquid with a distinct taste and odor. Its boiling point is and its den ...

was the original vegetable-based surgical lubricant. * Indications for medical lubricants:

Sjögren syndrome Sjögren is a Swedish surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Anders Johan Sjögren (1794–1855), Finnish linguist, historian, ethnographer and explorer * Ann Mari Sjögren, Swedish fantasy artist and illustrator * Christer Sjögren, ...

, specifically for treating

vaginal dryness Vaginal lubrication is a naturally produced fluid that lubricates the vagina. Vaginal lubrication production increases significantly during sexual arousal in anticipation of sexual intercourse. Vaginal dryness is the condition in which this l ...

dyspareunia Dyspareunia ( ) is painful sexual intercourse due to somatic or psychological causes. The term ''dyspareunia'' covers both female dyspareunia and male dyspareunia, but many discussions that use the term without further specification concern the f ...

(painful sexual intercourse) and

vulvodynia Vulvodynia is a chronic pain condition that affects the vulvar area and occurs without an identifiable cause. Symptoms typically include a feeling of burning or irritation. It has been established by the ISSVD that for the diagnosis to be made ...

(vaginal pain)

References

Medical equipment {{Treatment-stub