Lubricant and Fertility – Friend or Foe?

Intimate lubricants and gels – what are they used for?

Lubricant, or intimate gel , is a liquid substance whose main task is to minimize friction during sex and reduce the discomfort associated with vaginal dryness .

Lubricants moisturize and provide adequate slippage, which in turn reduces chafing and irritation and makes sex generally more enjoyable for at least 70% of respondents .

A small thing, but it makes us happy – especially since lubricants are becoming more and more popular and the stigma associated with using them is fading away ( finally! ).

Intimate gels can be used during vaginal sex, anal sex (in this case they are even recommended due to the lack of natural lubrication and the increased risk of abrasions!) , oral sex or masturbation , but also, for example, during an intimate massage.

Types of lubricants

Water based lubricants

Water-based intimate gels are one of the most common lubricants. They are relatively cheap and safe to use with both sex toys (including silicone accessories) and condoms and othercontraceptives .

Due to their pH being close to the natural pH of the vagina, water-based lubricants are among the most frequently recommended by doctors.

The downside of water-based intimate gels is that they tend to dry out quickly . They also don't work well in the shower, where they wash out quickly.

So if we prefer a marathon to sprints, it's worth being prepared to use lubrication during intercourse (which, by the way, is a pretty good opportunity to catch a breath or two).

Silicone based lubricants

Silicone intimate gels are still a novelty on the lubricant market. They provide a more noticeable and lasting glide than water-based ones , and a few drops are enough to feel comfortable lubrication during intercourse. They work particularly well during anal sex , where the need for additional glide is quite large. As with water-based gels, they can be safely used with condoms and other contraceptives .

Cons? They won't work well with silicone toys , as they can damage them quite severely.

Oil based lubricants

Oil-based intimate gels are ideal for erotic massages and foreplay. They do not dry out and provide very good slip. However, they should not be used internally - they are difficult to get rid of, and their prolonged presence can change the vaginal pH to a more acidic one, which can in turn lead to infection (the exception here are 100% natural oils, such as coconut or almond oil, but their use is worth consulting a specialist beforehand) . Oil-based lubricants also damage latex condoms and can lead to the destruction of sex toys .

Since the risk of infection or unplanned pregnancy when using oil-based lubricants is relatively high , they are not recommended for internal use or during penetration.

Lubricant and getting pregnant

Do lubricants kill sperm ? How does using regular intimate lubricants affect your chances of getting pregnant? It turns out that in the case of sperm vs. lubricant, the latter is winning at the moment , although the final verdict has not been reached yet.

In vitro studies suggest that a regular water-based lubricant is able to immobilize all sperm within 5 minutes of exposure and kill an average of 95.23% of them within 60 minutes. Other medical sources confirm the negative impact of "classic" (i.e. those that are not intended for people trying to conceive) lubricants on the chances of getting pregnant, concluding from in vitro studies that the use of intimate gels reduces the ability of sperm to move spontaneously and actively, which is crucial when trying to conceive . Interestingly, a similar effect on sperm can also be had by... saliva, the most natural ( though not the best ) lubricant.

Does this mean that intimate gels have a contraceptive effect and we are certain that they make it harder to get pregnant? No.

The key word that we need to pay special attention to is: "in vitro". Laboratory tests differ from "home" conditions in which lubricants are used and do not give the full picture of the situation. In natural conditions, during ejaculation, sperm enter not only the vagina, where the gel is located, but also directly to the cervix. Their exposure to the gel is also much shorter than in the case of in vitro tests.

Studies outside the laboratory do not confirm the findings from in vitro studies , which suggests that intimate gel used under normal conditions does not necessarily have to negatively affect our fertility .

Lubricants that aid in fertilization

Fortunately for all those who want to expand their family, there are lubricants on the market for those trying to conceive .

"Specialized" intimate gels were created with those planning a pregnancy in mind. How exactly do they differ from the others and how do they affect fertility? Can lubricant help you get pregnant?

Lubricants that help with conception are actually intimate gels that… do not make it harder to conceive – they do not worsen the condition of sperm, do not excessively affect the change of vaginal pH or prevent fertilization. They also do not contain ingredients that could potentially harm sperm or fertility in general.

It is therefore difficult to fully speak of "lubricants that help you get pregnant", although of course this may be a rather subjective matter. For some, improving comfort during sex (adequate slippage and no feeling of dryness) may be such a valuable change that it will lead to more frequent, regular intercourse , which will ultimately result in a desired pregnancy.

Also read our article about sex during pregnancy .

Intimate Gel and Trying for a Baby – Can It Be Successful?

If you are here because you can no longer imagine sex without using lubricant, and at the same time you are planning a pregnancy or actively trying for a baby, the best choice will be to go to a gynecologist and talk to him/her about your situation .

The doctor will be the best judge of whether a given lubricant will also work well when trying to conceive, or quite the opposite. Additionally, you can write directly to the manufacturer – in my experience, most companies are quite willing to respond to such inquiries from customers.

L. Anderson, SE Lewis, N. McClure, The effects of coital lubricants on sperm motility in vitro , "Human Reproduction" 1998, vol. 13, p. 3351-3356.
W. Eggert-Kruse, A. Köhler, G. Rohr, B. Runnebaum, The pH as an important determinant of sperm-mucus interaction , "Fertility and Sterility" 1993, vol. 59, i. 3, p. 617-628, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8458467/ [accessed on 06/06/2022].
SC Mackenzie, SA Gellatly, Vaginal lubricants in the couple trying-to-conceive: Assessing healthcare professional recommendations and effect on in vitro sperm function , "PLoS One" 2019, vol. 14, i. 5, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6516666/ [accessed on 06/06/2022].
TB Mesen, AZ Steiner, Effect of vaginal lubricants on natural fertility , "Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology" 2014, vol. 26, i. 3, p. 186-192, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24717914/#:~:text=Lubricants%20formulated%20to%20be%20nontoxic,has%20no%20effect%20of%20fecundity [accessed on 06/06/2022].
AZ Steiner, DL Long, C. Tanner, AH Herring, Effect of Vaginal Lubricants on Natural Fertility , "Obstetrics & Gynaecology" 2012, vol. 120, i. 1, p. 44-51, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3427535/ [accessed on 06/06/2022].
T. Tulandi, L. Plouffe Jr., RA McInnes, Effect of saliva on sperm motility and activity , "Fertility and Sterility" 1982, vol. 38, p. 721-723.
Vaginal Lubricants , "Breastcancer.org", https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment-side-effects/menopause/treating-symptoms/vaginal-changes/dryness-irritation/lubricants [accessed 06/06/2022].
SL Wilson, JK Adam, Suresh Babu Naidu Krishna, Effects of Vaginal Lubricants on In-Vitro Progressive Spermatozoa Motility , "African Journal of Reproductive Health" 2017, vol. 21, no. 3, p. 96-101, https://www.jstor.org/stable/26357202 [accessed on 06/06/2022].
K. Young, L. McCab, Know How to Use Vaginal Moisturizers and Lubricants , University Health Network, 2019, https://www.uhn.ca/PatientsFamilies/Health_Information/Health_Topics/Documents/Know_How_to_Use_Vaginal_Moisturizers_Lubricants.pdf [accessed on 06/06/2022].