lube gets talked about as if it’s just some thing that will make sexual acts more pleasurable (which is valid and true) but i didn’t learn until like, last week that it’s also just as important as condoms from a public health perspective.
you reduce your chances of getting/giving STDs by a lot when you use lube (even without a condom/dental dam/finger cot/etc) because it lessens the chances of developing microtears (little cuts on your genitals/mouth) during sex acts that open up ports of entry for the exchange of diseases.
wow i didnt fucking know