Vaginal lubrication is a fluid that is naturally produced by the vagina. While there is always a certain level of lubrication, the amount of fluid produced increases when a woman is aroused. Lubrication is produced by the vaginal walls and the Bartholin's gland.
The liquid produced for vaginal lubrication contains various elements like water, urea, acetic acid, lactic acid, alcohols, glycols, ketones and others. The color, taste and consistency vary depending on many factors like menstrual cycle, arousal, diet, genetics and others.
Some women may find that they do not produce enough lubrication on their own; this is known as vaginal dryness. This can be caused by a genetic condition or by certain medication like the birth control pill or antihistamines. There are many artificial lubricants a woman can use to compensate for the lack of natural lubrication. Even a woman with normal lubrication can gain from using an artificial lubricant, as it prevents pain and tearing.
