Nigerian Health Expert Warns Against Kitchen Oils for Intimate Lubrication

Nigerians have received a strong caution against employing common household cooking oils, including palm oil and vegetable oil, as lubricants during sexual activity. This important health advisory was delivered by Mr. Taofeek Adeleye, who serves as a Senior Manager for Prevention Programmes at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

Speaking at a national training session for media personnel focused on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, held in Lagos on Thursday, August 20, Adeleye explicitly advised against the use of substances like palm oil, honey oil, balsamic, or vegetable oil for intimate lubrication. He underscored the potential risks associated with these oil-based products, advocating instead for safer alternatives.

“You can’t use palm oil, honey oil, balsamic, or vegetable oil. You can use water-based lubricants, which are advisable,” Adeleye stated during his address. He further elaborated on safe practices, suggesting that if no commercial lubricant is available, a woman's own saliva could serve as a temporary alternative.

“And if you want to use saliva, it is advised that, in the absence of lubricant, the woman should use her own saliva, knowing fully well that the saliva is coming from her and going back into her, rather than using saliva from a foreign source,” he explained, highlighting the importance of personal hygiene and minimizing risks.

Additionally, the health expert urged all sexually active individuals to ensure they use appropriately sized condoms for maximum effectiveness and safety. He advised, “Two or three condoms—you will know the one that fits you. When you try them and don’t know which one fits your size, you ask,” stressing the need for individuals to find and use condoms that fit them correctly.