{"id":27331,"date":"2022-05-17T08:38:17","date_gmt":"2022-05-17T14:38:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americanpregnancy.org\/?p=27331"},"modified":"2022-06-17T09:34:07","modified_gmt":"2022-06-17T15:34:07","slug":"fertility-lubricant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americanpregnancy.org\/getting-pregnant\/fertility-lubricant\/","title":{"rendered":"Fertility Lubricants"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many couples use personal lubricants to enhance the pleasure and comfort of intercourse.\u00a0 Did you know most commonly sold lubricants harm sperm, which can decrease the likelihood that sperm will be able to survive the difficult journey through the cervix and into the fallopian tubes to meet the egg for fertilization? If you’re trying to conceive it’s important to use a fertility lubricant that is “sperm friendly.”<\/p>\n

Sperm-Friendly Fertility Lubricants<\/h2>\n

Needless to say, when it comes to choosing a lubricant when you are trying to get pregnant, the last thing that you want is a product that will harm sperm function. Because the stakes are so high for trying-to-conceive couples, the FDA brought attention to this issue by creating a special category, known as the PEB category, for fertility-friendly lubricants<\/a>. To be cleared by the FDA as a fertility lubricant, the product must be tested extensively to ensure that is safe for sperm, eggs, and embryos. And, once the products are on the market, the manufacturer of the fertility lubricant is required to test each batch of product to verify that it does not harm sperm motility, survival, or integrity.<\/p>\n

Unlike other commercially available sex lubricants, fertility lubricants are specifically tested to ensure that the lubricant has a similar pH and viscosity as semen and fertile quality cervical fluid so that it provides a protective environment for sperm and will allow sperm to swim into and through the lubricant. By matching the quality and consistency of cervical fluid, fertility lubricants supplement your body\u2019s own natural lubrication.<\/p>\n

Also, fertility lubricants are screened, both at time of production and throughout the shelf life of the lubricant, for endotoxins, which are toxins produced by bacteria that may harm sperm and eggs even at relatively low levels.<\/p>\n

As is the case with most consumer products, making sense of labels and marketing information for lubricants can be a daunting task. To put it simply, the only sure way to know that your lubricant won\u2019t harm sperm is to choose an FDA-cleared fertility lubricant.<\/p>\n

Additionally, use the following tips to guide your selection so that your lubricant won\u2019t cause your baby dancing efforts to be in vain.<\/p>\n