Divine 9 Personal Lubricant, Made with Carragel, is Shown to be a Potent Inhibitor of HPV in Laboratory Tests Conducted by the National Cancer Institute

A July 14, 2006 research paper titled Carrageenan Is a Potent Inhibitor of Papillomavirus Infection by Christopher B. Buck, Cynthia D. Thompson, Jeffrey N. Roberts, Martin Müller, Douglas R. Lowy and John T. Schiller demonstrated the amazing potential of Divine products to block viruses that cause cancers. The article was published in the Public Library of Science.

Download the Research Paper "Carrageenan is Potent Inhibitor"

Sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are very common. Although most HPV infections don't cause noticeable symptoms, persistent infection with some genital HPV types can lead to cervical cancer or other anal/genital cancers. Another subset of HPV types can cause genital warts. Recent studies have suggested that condoms are not highly effective in preventing HPV infection (1).

The report demonstrated that carrageenan is an exceptionally potent inhibitor of papillomavirus infectivity and that Divine products were more effective than any other product tested. The chart to the right shows the actual data from the study. The higher the IC50 and 95% CI numbers are, the higher the potency of the blocking agent. Also notable from the table is K-Y Jelly was tested and it had absolutely no ability to block HPV infection.

Carrageenan was found to be active against the range of common sexually transmitted HPV types that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts.

Because this test was not performed on humans, additional testing will be required to determine the blocking potential in real world situations.

In a second 2007 study titled Genital Transmission of HPV in a Mouse Model is Potentiated by Nonoxynol-9 and Inhibited by Carrageenan, the research team of Jeffrey Roberts, Christopher Buck, Cynthia  Thompson, Rhonda Kines, Marcelino Bernardo, Peter L Choyke, Douglas R Lowy & John T Schiller made an extraordinary series of revelations using in vivo testing with mice.  

Download the Research Paper "Genital Transmission of HPV in a Mouse Model"

First they found that the common spermicide Nonoxynol-9 actually increased the likelihood of HPV infection significantly.  They also found that carrageenan in general, and Divine 9 specifically, virtually eliminated HPV infection in the mice.  Finally, they found that when a carrageenan based product like Divine 9 is combined with Nonoxynol-9, the likelihood of HPV infection is once again reduced significantly.

While this study was not conducted on humans, the conclusion is still thought provoking.   Using Nonoxynol-9 as a spermicide for birth control has the potential to increase the chances of being infected by HPV.  However, when combined with a carrageenan-based product like Divine 9, the risk of infection might be reduced.

(1) Holmes KK, Levine R, Weaver M (2004) Effectiveness of condoms in preventing sexually transmitted infections. Bull World Health Organ 82: 454–461.

Carrageenan and Herpes Prevention

Scientists from the Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Argentina have been studying the potential for carrageenan products to block herpes simplex virus infections.

The results have been promising. They found that carrageenan proved to be potent and selective inhibitors of herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2.  The Divine research team is following up on these promising studies.

Divine as a Performance Aid

While somewhat simplistic in concept, performance issues in sexual settings can be divided into two basic categories, discomfort and attainment.  Discomfort is self explanatory.  Sexual performance is diminished or prevented by pain associated with intimate contact up to and including intercourse (sometimes referred to as dyspareunia.)  Attainment is the more subtle issue of attaining orgasm during sex.

For heterosexual couples, pain or discomfort is usually reported by the female due to vaginal penetration by the penis.  One scenario, more frequent in younger patients, is tightening or clamping in the vaginal muscle walls. Vaginal changes associated with increased sexual excitement are caused by recruitment of a variety of muscles in the vaginal wall.  While these changes in most woman prepare the birth canal for penal penetration, the result can be quite the opposite in some women.  Instead of lengthening and expanding, the vaginal walls can contract and effectively clamp the vaginal opening closed making it impossible for an erect penis to enter.  The pelvic muscles are relatively strong and they make continued attempts to penetrate with the penis increasingly painful.  A lubricant used in these circumstances can do much to improve the situation.  Either the partner or the subject should apply a small amount of lubricant to his or her fingers and gently massage the vaginal opening, slowly easing the fingers into the vagina.  Gentle massage will lubricate the entire area and will often ease muscle tension making penetration easy and enjoyable for both partners.  

A second scenario is vaginal dryness.  This can occur in subjects of all ages but is particularly prevalent in post-menopausal women and in women who have undergone a hysterectomy.  Oral contraceptives and antihistamines can also create vaginal dryness side effects.  The use of Viagra by the male partner can cause vaginal dryness in virtually any female due to the increased length of time intercourse can occur.   A personal lubricant significantly decreases discomfort while simultaneously enhancing sensation.  Both female and male partners will benefit from personal lubricants. Sexual relationships of patients suffering from Sjogrens syndrome (exocrine gland disorder) can be helped with a quality intimate lubricant as well. 

Gay and heterosexual couples engaging in alternative types of intercourse will inevitably face discomfort due to lack of lubrication.  While the subject seldom arises in most clinical settings due to the patient's natural tendency to avoid discussing the subject, the answer is to use a top quality lubricant with a stable, water-based, non-irritating formulation.  Lotions and other topical formulations should be avoided as should the use of saliva. Obviously, condom use should be highly encouraged. 

DIVINE products are chemically stable and contain a proven anti-bacterial component which prevents contamination of the contents.  All Divine products are compatible with latex.