The safest lubricants for couples trying to conceive are sperm-friendly or fertility-friendly lubricants. These lubricants must be water-based, glycerin-free, paraben-free, pH 7, and contain no added fragrances.
Lubricants make intercourse more pleasurable and comfortable, and they may be especially useful when attempting to conceive. Because creating babies is more of a chore, sex tends to be less romantic and less spontaneous. To make matters even more complicated, some fertility pills promote vaginal dryness, making it nearly mandatory for women on fertility treatments to use lubricant during intercourse.
When it comes to picking lubricants, there are just a few rules to follow: no parabens and no additional fragrances. When trying to conceive, however, the stakes are higher, and choosing the wrong lubricant can risk conception success. Lubes that aren’t designed exclusively for fertility may contain chemicals or have a pH that harms sperm.
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Always opt for a lubricant that is designed to be fertility-friendly when attempting to conceive. These can provide sperms with a safe environment as it travels through the female reproductive canal. These lubricants also have the consistency and viscosity of cervical mucus, which makes them an excellent sperm match.
Qualities Of a Sperm-friendly Lubricant
Before being sold, lubricants branded as “sperm-friendly” or “fertility-friendly” must be cleared by the FDA. They must also be water-based, and they must be evaluated to confirm that they meet the following criteria:
- They can’t interfere with human sperm motility, survival, or integrity, as well as embryo development.
- They must be pH neutral (pH 7) and isosmotic/isotonic (e.g. 300 mOsmo/kg) with fertile cervical mucus and semen “to prevent shock and damage to sperm and eggs.
- They must have the correct viscosity to allow sperm to swim into and through the lubricant.
- They’re safe to use for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other fertility methods.
- They have low levels of endotoxins at all times. These are toxins produced by bacteria that can harm sperm and egg function even at relatively low levels.
- They should be freeof glycerin or glycerol. Based on research, experts believe that it can significantly decrease sperm motility. It can also feed harmful microbes and lead to things like yeast infections since it’s broken down into sugar.
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Top 5 Sperm-friendly Lubricants
According to customer ratings, customer revenues, and testimonials on Amazon, these are the top 5 fertility-friendly lubricants for couples trying to conceive. These lubricants are water-based, glycerin-free, paraben-free, pH 7, and contain no added fragrances or other unsuitable chemicals. They are:
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- BabyDance Fertility Lubricant
- Pre-Seed Fertility Friendly Lubricant
- Conceive Plus Fertility Lubricant
- Natalist Fertility Friendly Lubricant
- JO Actively Trying Lubricant
Things To Avoid When Buying a Sperm-friendly Lubricant
Before purchasing lubricants, always read the label. It’s worth noting that parabens, which have been linked to endocrine disruption, are found in several “fertility lubricants.” We advise you to stay away from the following:
- Lubricants containing glycerol and/or parabens
- Lubricants with a pH less than 7. The box should either list the pH value or state that the product is pH matched to cervical mucus.
- Lubricants with an osmolality greater than 400 mOsm/kg
- Organic or natural lubricants not cleared by the FDA.
Finally, don’t confuse a fertility-friendly lubricant with a non-spermicidal lubricant.
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5 Solid Tips For Partners Trying To Conceive
In addition to using the proper lubricant, keep the following tips in mind when trying to conceive:
- Have Your Partner Get Tested First: Ask your partner to get tested if you’re having trouble becoming pregnant. Most people believe that infertility is caused by the female, however you should always have the male tested first. It’s the simplest and cheapest option, and you want to make sure his sperm count is in good shape before embarking on the costly female infertility tests.
- Avoid Using Products In The Vaginal Area: When trying to conceive, avoid using products that can alter your vaginal PH or injure your sperm, such as vaginal creams or douches.
- Take Prenatal Vitamins: Prenatal vitamins should be taken three months before you begin attempting to conceive. Women of reproductive age should take prenatal vitamins on a regular basis, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you become pregnant, the vitamins can assist ensure that your body gets enough vitamins and minerals to produce a healthy environment for the growing fetus.
- Use An Ovulation Kit: While many women believe they ovulate on day 14 of their cycle, each woman’s ovulation day is unique and determined by the length of her cycle. Some couples have sex on the incorrect days. We recommend utilizing an ovulation kit or app to guarantee you know when you should be having sex.
- Avoid Stress: Examining why diet and lifestyle are upsetting natural hormonal balance is sometimes the best way to increase fertility. Stress is frequently a significant issue. Relaxing and having fun with sex has been proven to boost your chances of becoming pregnant. Even if you don’t have any physical signs of stress, your cortisol levels and inflammatory markers are high when you’re stressed [physically or mentally] , and this has been found to reduce fertility.
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Conclusion
Fertility lubricants do not guarantee that conception will be easy. However, because they aren’t damaging to sperm or eggs, they don’t prevent fertilization. Lubricants make intercourse more pleasurable and comfortable, and they may be especially useful when attempting to conceive. Whether or not to use a sperm-friendly lubricant is a personal choice for each couple.