Fertility Lube Explained

"Did you know that not all lubricants are created equal? Some can impact fertility and potentially hinder sperm motility. The issue with many lubricants lies in their compatibility with vaginal pH, which can be unfavorable for sperm. Vaginal pH is typically more acidic than what's ideal for sperm to thrive. On the other hand, fertile cervical mucus offers a pH environment that's more conducive to sperm health, effectively acting as a 'sperm highway' with the right consistency and pH. Ideally, fertility-friendly lubricants should mimic the qualities of natural fertile cervical mucus.

When shopping for a fertility lubricant, it's crucial to pay attention to the ingredients.

Ingredients to Avoid

Naloxone 9 (a spermicide)

Parabens (preservatives that may harm fertility)

Chlorhexidine (an antiseptic that can disrupt vaginal pH)

Benzocaine (a numbing agent, which might reduce sensitivity).

What are the different types of lubricants?

Non-lubricants like saliva (which is acidic and harmful to sperm)

Oil-based lubricants like coconut or olive oil (which can be irritating to the vagina)

Water-based lubricants (some of which can be harmful to fertility)

Silicone lubricants (can also be irritating to the vagina)

So what should I use?

Pre-Seed and Conceive are often considered the gold standard, as they have been shown not to be harmful to sperm. Although, it is important to note these products do contain parabens.

We recommend using a lube that is free of parabens, as these have been shown to be harmful to fertility.

Paraben Free Options:

Good Clean Love optimal pH and paraben-free

Baby Dance: optimal pH and paraben-free

Natalist ( The Lube): optimal pH and paraben-free

Does it really matter?

Now, you might wonder how much of an impact lubricants really have on your chances of conception. A study that included over 6,000 individuals planning pregnancy found no significant difference in pregnancy rates between those who used lubricants and those who didn't. For the general population, using regular lubricants might not pose a problem. However, in cases where sperm quality is lowered or you are having trouble conceiving, particularly low sperm motility, it may be wise to opt for the most fertility-friendly lubricants."

Sources:

Agarwal A, Deepinder F, Cocuzza M, Short RA, Evenson DP. Effect of vaginal lubricants on sperm motility and chromatin integrity: a prospective comparative study. Fertil Steril. 2008 Feb;89(2):375-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.02.050. Epub 2007 May 16. PMID: 17509584.

McInerney KA, Hahn KA, Hatch EE, Mikkelsen EM, Steiner AZ, Rothman KJ, Sørensen HT, Snerum TM, Wise LA. Lubricant use during intercourse and time to pregnancy: a prospective cohort study. BJOG. 2018 Nov;125(12):1541-1548. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.15218. Epub 2018 Apr 15. PMID: 29543376; PMCID: PMC6139089.

Rafaee A, Kakavand K, Sodeifi N, Farrahi F, Sabbaghian M. Effects of BabyDance Lubricant on Sperm Parameters. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2022 Apr-Jun;15(2):133-137. doi: 10.4103/jhrs.jhrs_155_21. Epub 2022 Jun 30. PMID: 35928467; PMCID: PMC9345282.

Smarr MM, Sundaram R, Honda M, Kannan K, Louis GM. Urinary Concentrations of Parabens and Other Antimicrobial Chemicals and Their Association with Couples' Fecundity. Environ Health Perspect. 2017 Apr;125(4):730-736. doi: 10.1289/EHP189. Epub 2016 Jun 10. PMID: 27286252; PMCID: PMC5381974.

Steiner AZ, Long DL, Tanner C, Herring AH. Effect of vaginal lubricants on natural fertility. Obstet Gynecol. 2012 Jul;120(1):44-51. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31825b87ae. PMID: 22914390; PMCID: PMC3427535.