Most gay and bisexual men in the United States have used lubricants during sexual activity

More than 90% of gay and bisexual men in the United States have used lubricants to enhance a wide range of sexual activities, including but not limited to anal intercourse, researchers report in a Journal of Sexual Medicine study.

By minimizing potential skin tears, lubricants may help reduce the likelihood of HIV transmission between partners.

Public health practitioners and clinicians may find the study's results useful in their efforts to incorporate lubricant use into sexual health promotion efforts. "These findings show the need for a new generation of sexual health interventions that frame routine lubricant use not only in terms of decreasing potential sexual risk but also increasing sexual pleasure for gay and bisexual men and their sexual partners," said lead author Dr. Brian Dodge.