Effects of Lubricant on Conceiving
"Are there negative effects of lubricant on conceiving?"
Women trying to conceive are often advised to avoid the use of over-the-counter
lubricants including Astroglide, KY Jelly, and Replens , because these
lubricants have been found decrease sperm movement in the laboratory.
However, a study of 296 women who were trying to conceive found that the use of
lubricant during intercourse does not decrease the probability of conceiving.
Some reasons given for this finding were
Lubricants, as used during vaginal intercourse, could remain on the
external genitalia and lower vagina and not in the upper vagina, where the sperm
are deposited.
Sperm deposited
at the top of the vagina during intercourse rapidly move into the cervix ,
likely minimizing any exposure to lubricants present.
Lubricants could promote fertility by enabling more frequent acts of
intercourse.
REFERENCESteiner AZ, et. al. Effect of vaginal lubricants on
natural fertility. Obstet Gynecol. 2012 Jul;120(1):44-51. doi:
10.1097/AOG.0b013e31825b87ae.PMID: 22914390
Reviewed by Mark Curran, M.D., FACOG