How does lubricant affect fertility

Test your sperm with an at-home semen analysis. Extensive lab studies have concluded that most commercially available lubes—as well as some commonly used oils and even saliva—have a negative impact on sperm motility, or how sperm move.

Some lubes have also been shown to affect sperm vitality and genetic health. K-Y Jelly is one of the most commonly used personal lubricants, even among couples who are trying to conceive. However, K-Y Jelly is not sperm-friendly. Water-based lubricants like K-Y Jelly, in general , are some of the least fertility friendly lube choices. In multiple studies , K-Y Jelly significantly decreased sperm motility.

In a third , researchers found that motility plummeted to zero percent after just 10 minutes in contact with K-Y Jelly. Another study had similar results — sperm motility dropped dramatically after 5 minutes contact with K-Y Jelly in the Warming, Tingling, and Sensitive varieties. Interestingly, K-Y Tingling had, by far, the most detrimental effect on sperm health of any of the lubricants tested in this study. However, another study looking at the impact of lube on sperm DNA fragmentation did not find a significant increase in sperm combined with K-Y Jelly.

Another water-based lube, Astroglide seems to be nearly as harmful to sperm as K-Y Jelly. In one study comparing the two lubricants, researchers found both impaired sperm motility, and recommended that those who are trying to conceive avoid using any commercial lubes.

Replens is a silicone-based lubricant. Silicone-based lubes are slightly more sperm-friendly than water-based, but have also been shown to impair sperm motility after prolonged contact.

Research on the impact of Replens on fertility demonstrates that impairment. In another , Replens performed comparably to nonoxynol-9 — a spermicide — with a highly detrimental effect on sperm health after 60 minutes.

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Why using the right lubricant is key for conception. Other tips for conceiving. Parenthood Becoming a Parent. Early Pregnancy Symptoms. Placenta Delivery: What to Expect. Also, problems with vaginal dryness tend to increase the longer a couple is seeking to get pregnant. According to one study, one in four couples reported using personal lubricants that were not fertility-friendly while trying to conceive.

And how might they impact sperm? Several studies have looked at the effect various lubricants have on sperm, at least in vitro. Researchers have investigated:. We know that sperm make the transition from the semen and into cervical mucus about 1. The majority of healthy sperm will make it into the cervical mucus within 15 to 20 minutes. This is what they found:. Compared to the control, they found that sperm motility decreased:.

It's important to recognize the Astroglide tested was not its fertility-friendly version. While there are many lubricants that advertise they are sperm-friendly, there is little independent research on how they perform.

One study compared various lubricants, including some marketed as fertility-friendly. They found that:. Some studies have also found DNA damage after exposure to some lubricants, though other studies have not found damage.

There are lubricants that have been made to be fertility-friendly. The most popular sperm-friendly lubricants are PreSeed and ConceivePlus. It may be possible to use raw egg whites as a personal lubricant, and some people do it. The idea is that it would be closest to nature's fertility-friendly lubricant, egg white cervical mucus.

However, there is a risk of allergic reaction if you have an allergy to eggs and possible salmonella poisoning. Plus, it's kind of messy. Canola oil and plain baby oil are somewhat sperm-friendly options. But they may lead to vaginal infection or irritation. Saliva is not a sperm-friendly option. The acidity is harmful to sperm. While regular personal lubricants may not be great for sperm, they are not the same as spermicidal foams and creams.

This is an important clarification. If you don't want to get pregnant, don't rely on the slightly inhibiting effects of regular lubricants. They are not a form of contraception.