Introduction to Vaginal Lubricants and Their Impact on Health

Dr. Diane Mueller: Hey Libido Lounge listeners, welcome back to another episode. I’m Dr. Diane, your board-certified sexologist and sexpert, and I have a juicy show in store for you today. One thing I find critical to sexual health is what lubes we’re using and what products we’re putting on our beautiful bits—our genitals. To dive into this, I’m bringing on an expert to talk about lubes, condom compatibility, toxins, and how to support your genital microbiome. We know the microbiome of the genitals has a huge impact on preventing vaginal dryness and infections. So many people use products like petroleum-based lubes that can lead to issues like bacterial vaginosis, destroying that microbiome. I’m thrilled to have Heather Florio, founder of Desert Harvest, one of my favorite lube companies in the world. Also, a reminder: for exclusive content, join me at the Libido Club—find details and Desert Harvest discounts in the show notes. This month, we’re focusing on toxins because it’s so critical. Thank you for being here, Heather, I can’t wait to get started!

Heather Florio: Thank you for having me, I’m looking forward to it.

Understanding Lubricant Types, pH, and Osmolality

Dr. Diane Mueller: Let’s open with the different types of lube and why someone might choose one over another.

Heather Florio: There are a variety of lubes out there—water-based, petroleum-based, silicone-based, and some natural options. The problem is most shouldn’t go into the vaginal biome. When we introduce certain chemical ingredients, we throw off pH and osmolality, which is very underrecognized. There’s only been one study, by the World Health Organization in 2015, for third-world sex workers to reduce STI incidence, not for women in general. Most women don’t know we should look at osmolality—how fluid flows in and out of your vaginal wall’s epithelial cell layer, your protective barrier to STIs, bacteria, and fungi. If you use non-iso-osmolar vaginal lubricants—either hypo- or hyper-osmolar—your vaginal wall dries out and literally falls out, losing that barrier. It’s critical to choose a lube that’s acidic, around 4.5 pH, and iso-osmolar, ideally 290 osmolality, plus or minus 80 points. Most lubes in stores are 8,000–10,000 osmolality, destroying your biome. FDA-cleared medical device lubes must test osmolality, but being iso-osmolar isn’t required. Only two lubes I know of worldwide are truly iso-osmolar.

Dr. Diane Mueller: That’s such good information. From a consumer standpoint, are companies promoting in the intimate space without FDA regulation allowed to use words like “lubricant”?

Heather Florio: No, they’re not. The FDA’s been gutted, so regulation is weaker than last year. Lubricants weren’t regulated as medical devices until around 2015, giving companies a five-year window to catch up on certifications. The pandemic and a weakened FDA slowed enforcement. You’ll see products avoiding direct claims about vaginal use, talking vaguely about “intimacy” or “play.” These aren’t FDA-cleared, so they’re not regulated for vaginal use. Even FDA-cleared lubes don’t have to be iso-osmolar, but they must know their osmolality number. Consumers should ask companies for that number.

Dr. Diane Mueller: So, to clarify, the osmolality number isn’t required on the product, but FDA-compliant companies know it?

Heather Florio: Exactly. It’s required for testing, not labeling. If they’re not advertising it, question why. Reach out and ask for their osmolality number. For vaginal health, aim for 4.5 pH and 290 osmolality, plus or minus a few points.

Dr. Diane Mueller: And just to preface, don’t ever use a vaginal lubricant in your anus, right? The anal biome is different.

Heather Florio: Yes, the anus has an alkaline biome, more sensitive to pH than osmolality. An acidic vaginal lube in the anus can cause the epithelial layer to fall out instantly. Osmolality and pH are separate mechanisms. pH maintains biome acidity, while osmolality ensures fluid flow. Chemicals block that fluidity, drying out tissues like a sponge that can’t soak up or release moisture.

Dr. Diane Mueller: So osmolality supports natural vaginal lubrication, while pH protects the microbiome?

Heather Florio: Correct. If your pH is off, you breed unhealthy bacteria instead of healthy ones.

Lifestyle Factors Affecting Vaginal Health

Dr. Diane Mueller: Are there other health or lifestyle factors influencing pH or osmolality?

Heather Florio: Many things affect the vaginal biome. Soaps, for example—most are alkaline and can influence your biome if used on the vulva. Your vagina is self-cleaning; don’t use douches or vaginal steaming. Sperm is alkaline, so unprotected sex can disrupt acidity. Resetting pH afterward is key, especially if trying to conceive. Spermicides like Good Clean Love don’t damage the biome. Desert Harvest’s Alo Glide is an FDA-cleared sexual lubricant and vaginal moisturizer to keep tissues healthy and reset pH after alkaline exposure. During menstruation, the biome becomes more alkaline, and PFAS chemicals in pads or tampons can disrupt it. Desert Harvest is releasing Lunation, an aloe-based fabric underwear with ginger, bamboo, and organic cotton—antifungal, antimicrobial, and sexy, not “granny panties.” Organic cotton underwear is a good go-to to avoid chemicals.

Dr. Diane Mueller: Quick break to remind everyone: 80% of women don’t have orgasms from vaginal intercourse alone. Hot, modern monogamy brings passion, closeness, and healing—reducing stress, boosting serotonin, and improving sleep. Learn more at the Modern Libido Club.

The Dangers of PFAS and Yoni Steaming

Dr. Diane Mueller: You mentioned PFAS, the “forever chemicals” that don’t break down, linked to hormonal disruption and diseases. Keeping them out of our bodies is crucial. You also mentioned yoni steaming—can you clarify why it’s risky?

Heather Florio: Yoni steaming, where you sit over herb-infused steam, is promoted for vaginal care but kills both bad and good bacteria, destroying the self-cleaning microbiome. Clinicians we work with don’t recommend it, as there’s no evidence of enough benefit to justify the damage.

Issues with Petroleum-Based and Coconut Oil Lubricants

Dr. Diane Mueller: Let’s circle back to toxins. Petroleum-based lubes are common—what’s the problem?

Heather Florio: Petroleum-based lubes with preservatives like glycerin breed bacteria and yeast, as glycerins are sugars. Petroleum acts as a barrier, blocking fluid flow in the vaginal wall. Silicone-based lubes have no osmolality and don’t affect pH, but they’re still chemicals with unknown long-term effects. Coconut oil, despite being “natural,” is messy and breeds bad bacteria over time, killing good bacteria due to its antimicrobial properties, setting the stage for pathogens.

Dr. Diane Mueller: That aligns with research showing coconut oil’s antimicrobial nature disrupts the microbiome.

Aloe Vera and Interstitial Cystitis

Dr. Diane Mueller: Let’s talk about aloe, especially with your product. It’s helpful for interstitial cystitis, which I see as a “leaky gut of the bladder”—urgency without burning, often misdiagnosed. Tell us about aloe’s role and the research.

Heather Florio: Desert Harvest started in 1993 when my aunt had interstitial cystitis. She tried aloe vera, slept through the night, and we worked to concentrate it safely, removing anthraquinones—latex chemicals that can be carcinogenic long-term. Our super-strength aloe is in FDA drug trials at Wake Forest University, studying its interaction with the bladder’s urothelial cell layer. Interstitial cystitis, mostly affecting women, feels like a constant UTI with negative test results. The bladder’s urothelial layer is damaged or missing, causing pain like battery acid on a wound. Diagnosis is tricky—often by exclusion, as cystoscopy is painful. A UCLA study using AI found three subtypes: bladder-centric, myofascial (resolved by pelvic floor therapy), and neuralgia from other conditions. Pelvic floor therapy is key before strengthening exercises like Kegels, which can worsen tension.

Dr. Diane Mueller: In my practice, I’ve seen cases where removing toxins and food allergies resolves interstitial cystitis-like symptoms, highlighting the role of holistic approaches.

Key Takeaways and Consumer Advice

Dr. Diane Mueller: This conversation on iso-osmolar vaginal lubricants, pH, and aloe-based products has been eye-opening. Not all lubes or aloe products are the same. Being responsible consumers is critical. Check the show notes for Desert Harvest links and discounts, and join my Libido Club for more on toxins, hormones, and desire.

Heather Florio: Claim your pleasure, even with chronic pain conditions. Interstitial cystitis often has a mast cell activation component—an “allergic bladder.” Antihistamines like quercetin can help. Desert Harvest and Dr. Diane are here to support your health and pleasure.

Outro and Where to Find Dr. Diane Mueller

Dr. Diane Mueller: Thank you for listening to the Libido Lounge. Please share this with your friends. You can find me on YouTube, on Instagram, and check out our Modern Libido Club for so much more!