International Journal of Fertility and Menopausal Studies 41 4 Mesen TB, et al. Effect of vaginal lubricants on natural fertility. Mowat A, et al. The effects of vaginal lubricants on sperm function: An in vitro analysis. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 31 3 Optimizing natural fertility: A committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility 3 —7. Sandhu RS, et al. In vitro effects of coital lubricants and synthetic and natural oils on sperm motility. Fertility and Sterility 4 Steiner AZ, et al.
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But, if you're actively trying to get pregnant, lube probably isn't going to hurt your chances, either. Still, some people can feel more at ease if they're trying everything possible to up their chances of conceiving. If you're one of those people, there's no harm in forgoing lube altogether or using a lubricant that was specifically designed with conception in mind something like this one. But you should still keep your sexual comfort in mind if you plan to get rid of the lube.
Because if you're ditching the lube, plenty of natural lubrication can be helpful — slippery sex is almost always best. On this episode of Dear, Black Love we watch newly married couple, Brea and Mariah, share their modern love story. In another , Replens performed comparably to nonoxynol-9 — a spermicide — with a highly detrimental effect on sperm health after 60 minutes.
Other less commonly used lubes have fewer robust studies, but the research available suggests the majority of water- and silicone-based lubricants on the market have a detrimental effect on sperm. Oils are less commonly used as lubricant because they can degrade condoms not an issue for couples who are trying to conceive and are more likely to irritate the vagina. However, in general, oils such as baby oil and canola oil, seem to have the least detrimental effect on sperm health.
We have more extensive research on baby oil than other oils. In a third study , baby oil was found to have no significant impact on sperm motility at all. Other oils have more mixed results, and more limited research.
Studies are limited, but saliva has been shown to have an even more dramatic effect on sperm than commercial lubes. However, later research altered this recommendation. In one study , saliva was found to decrease sperm motility to near zero percent after 15 minutes of exposure. The studies reviewed above examine the impact of lube on sperm health in vitro , meaning in the lab. Research of real-life lube use has had different results.
One study of women found that participants who used lube occasionally or frequently were no less likely to become pregnant than those who never used lube. 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. If you do want to get pregnant, be sure not to slightly impact your odds of success by using a lubricant that isn't ideal for conception. Your vaginal discharge changes throughout your cycle, with more present closer to ovulation.
Also known as cervical mucus, this naturally made lubricant, helps sperm to swim and survive in the vaginal environment. Unless a lubricant has been specifically made for trying to conceive, you should be wary. Both water- and oil-based lubricants have been found to interfere with sperm movement, and some kill or alter the DNA of sperm. It's also important to mention that a lack of arousal fluids or cervical mucus may indicate a fertility problem.
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