Fertility Lube: Can it Help You Conceive?

Fertility lube can help create the right environment for a pregnancy to happen. Learn about what it is and how it helps the sperm and the egg.

Dr. Jed Kaminetsky
Board Certified Urologist, expert in male sexual dysfunction
by Dr. Jed Kaminetsky Last updated 11/08/2022
does fertility lube help you conceive

Trying to conceive? A lot of couples turn to personal lube for comfort and pleasure during sex.

Unfortunately, many types of lube affect how sperm travel to meet the egg for fertilization.

Quick FAQs

Fertility Lube is lubricant that's been tested to ensure it has similar pH level and viscosity as semen and cervical fluid.

It's important to make sure the lubricant is FDA-approved. The top recommended options include Pre-Seed fertility lubricant and Conceive Plus fertility lubricant.

Fertility lube does not increase the chances of pregnancy. It only ensures that the environment the sperm and egg are in is not impeded by the lube itself.

Fertility lube, by contrast, is a personal lubricant that has been cleared by the FDA to be sperm-safe and a proven option for couples trying to conceive.

What is fertility-safe lube? What is the best lube for fertility? Below is a closer look.

What Is Fertility Lube?

Fertility lube is a type of sexual lubricant that’s been tested to ensure it has a similar viscosity and pH level as cervical fluid and semen. 

In short, lube for conception is designed to deter interference with the sperm and egg during sex.

They’re screened at the time of production and throughout the lubricants shelf life for endotoxins.

These toxins are produced by bacteria that can be harmful to eggs and sperm at low levels.

While using lube is natural for TTC couples, not all lubes are ideal when trying to get pregnant. Certain types of lubes that should be avoided include:

  • Lubricants that contain paraben preservatives
  • Lubricants with low pH
  • Lubricants labeled non-spermicidal or organic as opposed to FDA cleared
  • Household oils

The Food and Drug Administration recently created a product classification for personal lubricants that are compatible with gametes (sperm and eggs), fertilization, and embryos in 2017.

This classification set a standard for which personal lubricants could actually be advertised as "fertility-safe lube."

These lubricants show up under a lot of different names, such as TTC lube, pregnancy lube, and fertility-friendly lube.

To date, less than a dozen products have obtained the FDA's approval for labeling as lube safe for conception.

How Lube Affects Sperm

The general process from sperm entry to fertilization looks something like what follows:

  1. Sperm enter the vaginal canal in the seminal fluid
  2. Sperm travel toward the egg
  3. The sperm work together to break down the outer wall
  4. One of the sperm typically makes it inside the egg at the weakened point

With this in mind, sperm must be highly mobile in order to reach the egg.

The bulk of available personal lubricants affects sperm motility (movement). This can get in the way of fertilization.

Different types of lube may also contain ingredients that are known to cause direct damage to sperm.

For example, some silicone-based and water-based lubes have been shown to leave most sperm in samples not moving after 30 minutes.

These same lubes also caused damage in some cases that would make sperm cells non-viable.

Researchers point out that these damages are likely caused by the pH levels of certain products, as well as osmolality (the fluid-to-particle ratio).

Both of these are regulated naturally by the body. However, when non-biologic fluids are introduced with certain types of lube, both pH levels and osmolality can be affected.

For reference, sperm fares best in mucus that has a pH level between 7.2 and 8.5. Osmolality should be between 270 and 360 milliosmoles per kilogram (mOsm/kg) of water.

Outside these ranges, the sperm can both sustain damage and have no motility.

What Are the Best Fertility Lubes?

Remember that it’s important to look for specific products that the FDA has cleared as a lube that doesn’t affect fertility.

When it comes to the best fertility lube, there are actually several options. However, certain brands tend to get recommended or referenced more than others.

Below is a look at the top three conception lube choices.

Pre-Seed Fertility Lubricant from First Response

Pre-Seed Fertility Lubricant developed by First Response is often touted as the best lube for conception.

Pre-Seed was developed by health professionals and has been clinically tested to ensure it supports sperm motility and survival.

According to the manufacturer, Pre-Seed fertility lube is designed to create an environment that has a similar pH level to the natural vaginal environment.

In clinical studies published in 2014, Pre-Seed conception lube was found to have no negative effect on sperm.

In comparative studies published in 2014, Pre-Seed fertility-friendly lube had the least measurable negative effects on sperm compared to eight other fertility lubes.

Over 92 percent of sperm in the Pre-Seed analysis retained their vitality for 30 minutes. 

However, Conceive Plus held a close second even though Pre-Seed was shown to be the best lube for fertility support.

It should be noted, however, that Pre-Seed does contain parabens which may affect fertility on some level. Further research is needed to make definitive claims.

Pros:

  • Shown to have no negative impact on sperm
  • Often recommended by fertility doctors
  • Least expensive compared to several other brands

Cons:

  • Not paraben free
  • Not available directly from the manufacturer

Conceive Plus Fertility Lubricant

Dr. Jed Kaminetsky

Dr. Jed Kaminetsky

Dr. Jed Kaminetsky M.D. is an American Board Certified Urologist and earned his Medical Degree at New York University. In his tenure he became a member of the American Urological Association and the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Kaminetsky pioneered the minimally invasive Rezum BPH treatment and is an expert in male and female dysfunction.

Sources:

Absorption Pharmaceuticals LLC (Promescent) has strict informational citing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic or research institutions, medical associations, and medical experts. We attempt to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references and only citing trustworthy sources. Each article is reviewed, written, and updated by Medical Professionals or authoritative Experts in a specific, related field of practice. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

  • "Endotoxin - ScienceDirect." Sciencedirect.com, 2022, https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/endotoxin. Accessed on Oct, 25, 2022.
  • "Product Classification - U.S. Food & Drug Administration." Accessdata.fda.gov, 2022, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpcd/classification.cfm?id=peb. Accessed on Oct, 25, 2022.
  • "510(k) Premarket Notification - U.S. Food & Drug Administration." Accessdata.fda.gov, 2022, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm?start_search=1&ProductCode=PEB. Accessed on Oct, 25, 2022.
  • "Effect of vaginal lubricants on sperm motility and chromatin integrity: a prospective comparative study - Fertility And Sterility." Fertstert.org., 2022, www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(07)00518-3/fulltext. Accessed on Oct, 25, 2022.
  • Zhou J, Chen L, Li J, Li H, Hong Z, Xie M, Chen S, Yao B. The Semen pH Affects Sperm Motility and Capacitation. PLoS One. 2015 Jul 14;10(7):e0132974. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132974. PMID: 26173069; PMCID: PMC4501804. Accessed on Oct, 25, 2022.
  • "Pre-Seed™ Fertility Lubricant - First Response." Firstresponse.com, 2022, https://www.firstresponse.com/en/product-listings/fertility-lubricant. Accessed on Oct, 25, 2022.
  • "In vitro effects of coital lubricants and synthetic and natural oils on sperm motility - Fertility And Sterility." Fertstert.org, 2022, https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(13)03456-0/fulltext. Accessed on Oct, 25, 2022.
  • Mowat A, Newton C, Boothroyd C, Demmers K, Fleming S. The effects of vaginal lubricants on sperm function: an in vitro analysis. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2014 Mar;31(3):333-9. doi: 10.1007/s10815-013-0168-x. Epub 2014 Jan 5. PMID: 24390681; PMCID: PMC3947082. Accessed on Oct, 25, 2022.
  • Smith KW, Souter I, Dimitriadis I, Ehrlich S, Williams PL, Calafat AM, Hauser R. Urinary paraben concentrations and ovarian aging among women from a fertility center. Environ Health Perspect. 2013 Nov-Dec;121(11-12):1299-305. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1205350. Epub 2013 Aug 2. PMID: 23912598; PMCID: PMC3855500. Accessed on Oct, 25, 2022.
  • Conceive Plus Fertility Lubricant Applicators - Conceive Plus." Conceiveplus.com, 2022, https://www.conceiveplus.com/product/conceive-plus-75ml-2-5-fl-oz-16-applicators-2-months-supply/. Accessed on Oct, 25, 2022.
  • "Fertility Friendly Lubricant for TTC - Fairhaven Health." Fairhavenhealth.com, 2022, www.https://www.fairhavenhealth.com/babydance-fertility-lubricant-multi-use-applicators. Accessed on Oct, 25, 2022.
  • Rafaee A, Kakavand K, Sodeifi N, Farrahi F, Sabbaghian M. Effects of BabyDance Lubricant on Sperm Parameters. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2022 Apr-Jun;15(2):133-137. doi: 10.4103/jhrs.jhrs_155_21. Epub 2022 Jun 30. PMID: 35928467; PMCID: PMC9345282. Accessed on Oct, 25, 2022.
  • "How Vaginal Dryness Can Affect Fertility - NCCRM." Nccrm.com, 2022, www.nccrm.com/how-vaginal-dryness-can-affect-fertility/. Accessed on Oct, 25, 2022.
  • McInerney KA, Hahn KA, Hatch EE, Mikkelsen EM, Steiner AZ, Rothman KJ, Sørensen HT, Snerum TM, Wise LA. Lubricant use during intercourse and time to pregnancy: a prospective cohort study. BJOG. 2018 Nov;125(12):1541-1548. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.15218. Epub 2018 Apr 15. PMID: 29543376; PMCID: PMC6139089. Accessed on Oct, 25, 2022.
  • Mackenzie SC, Gellatly SA. Vaginal lubricants in the couple trying-to-conceive: Assessing healthcare professional recommendations and effect on in vitro sperm function. PLoS One. 2019 May 14;14(5):e0209950. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209950. PMID: 31086364; PMCID: PMC6516666. Accessed on Oct, 25, 2022.
  • Agarwal A, Deepinder F, Cocuzza M, Short RA, Evenson DP. Effect of vaginal lubricants on sperm motility and chromatin integrity: a prospective comparative study. Fertil Steril. 2008 Feb;89(2):375-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.02.050. Epub 2007 May 16. PMID: 17509584. Accessed on Oct, 25, 2022.
  • Tulandi T, Plouffe L Jr, McInnes RA. Effect of saliva on sperm motility and activity. Fertil Steril. 1982 Dec;38(6):721-3. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)46700-2. PMID: 6890474. Accessed on Oct, 25, 2022.
  • Gonçalves Ferreira N, Cerná L, CedĂ­ková M, Bibková K, MiÄŤanová Z, UlÄŤová-Gallová Z. Some immunological properties of female saliva and its effect on sperm motility. Cas Lek Cesk. 2014;153(2):86-90. PMID: 24797779. Accessed on Oct, 25, 2022.
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Share article: