A medical practitioner, Dr. Victor-Bryan Nwala, has warned that using saliva as lubricant during sexual intercourse could lead to infection.

Dr. Nwala shared the tip on Twitter handle​ monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday.

He said that such practice could cause infections and lead to a difficult and unhealthy life.

Nwala said that people should avoid using saliva as a lubricant when trying to “get things moist” during intercourse.

According to the medical practitioner, saliva contained digestive enzymes that could prove dangerous to the eco-system of the sexual organ.

He noted that the bacteria in saliva is different from those in the vagina, and its introduction could lead to yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis.

He also listed herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis as diseases that could be transmitted to the genitals through saliva.

“Saliva is not a lubricant! The result can upset your vaginal microbiome and leave you susceptible to developing a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis.

“Any STI in the throat or mouth can be transmitted to the genitals through saliva.

“If your partner has an active herpes lesion, for example, using the spit to ‘make things slick’ could leave you with genital herpes.

“This scenario happens more than you might think and it is the most common way genital herpes is contracted.

“Even if you don’t see a cold sore on or around the mouth, the virus can still be transmissible.

“Herpes isn’t the only oral STI you could contract. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV, syphilis and trichomoniasis can also all be transmitted to the genitals through saliva,’’ he warned.