What is the best lubricant to use when trying to conceive?

Best Lubricant for Conception

For couples trying to conceive, Pre-seed® is the recommended lubricant, as it demonstrates the least negative impact on sperm motility and vitality in laboratory studies, while most commercial lubricants significantly impair sperm function and should be avoided.

Evidence-Based Lubricant Selection

First-Line Recommendation: Pre-seed®

• Pre-seed® maintains the highest sperm function parameters, with 92% vitality and 86% progressive motility after exposure, making it the optimal choice for couples attempting conception 1
• This product was specifically formulated to be "sperm-safe" and consistently outperforms other lubricants in laboratory testing 1, 2

Alternative Option: Conceive Plus®

• Conceive Plus® is a close second choice, showing significantly better sperm motility and vitality compared to standard lubricants, though slightly inferior to Pre-seed® 1
• Both products marketed as "fertility-friendly" demonstrate measurably better outcomes than pleasure-only lubricants 2

Natural Alternative: Canola Oil

• Canola oil shows no detrimental effects on sperm, with motility and viability indistinguishable from laboratory control media (Ham's F-10) 3
• This represents a cost-effective, readily available option when commercial fertility lubricants are not accessible 3

Lubricants to Avoid

Commercial Pleasure Lubricants Are Sperm-Toxic

• Standard lubricants like K-Y Jelly, Astroglide, Replens, and Touch inhibit sperm motility by 60-100% within 60 minutes of exposure 3
• Astroglide and Replens render sperm completely nonmotile and nonviable after 60 minutes, similar to spermicidal products 3
• Even products marketed as "water-based" can be highly detrimental to sperm function 1, 3

Prescribed Lubricants May Also Be Problematic

• Aquagel, a commonly prescribed lubricant, reduces progressive sperm motility to 49% of control within just 10 minutes, even at concentrations as low as 5% 4
• This reduction occurs without causing cell death, suggesting interference with sperm function rather than direct toxicity 4

Products Marketed as "Fertility-Friendly" Require Scrutiny

• Not all products claiming to be "sperm-safe" perform equally well - FertilSafe Plus showed 24% motility versus 47% control at 1 hour, while other "fertility" products performed worse 2
• Saliva is particularly detrimental and should never be used as a lubricant when trying to conceive 2

Clinical Implementation

Healthcare Provider Responsibilities

• Clinicians should routinely ask couples trying to conceive about lubricant use, as this is frequently overlooked in fertility assessments 4
• Current evidence shows healthcare professionals have poor knowledge about lubricant sperm toxicity and rarely provide guidance in this area 4
• Inadvertent lubricant use may contribute to delayed conception in otherwise fertile couples 4

When Lubricant Is Necessary

• For couples requiring lubrication due to vaginal dryness or dyspareunia, Pre-seed® or Conceive Plus® should be specifically recommended rather than allowing patients to select standard commercial products 1, 4
• If cost is prohibitive, canola oil represents an evidence-based alternative 3

When Lubricant May Not Be Needed

• Many couples use lubricants unnecessarily - assess whether adequate natural lubrication exists before recommending any product 4
• For couples using assisted reproductive technologies (ART), lubricant use during sample collection should be avoided entirely unless using a verified sperm-safe product 1

Important Caveats

Guideline Context Clarification

The provided guidelines 5 discuss water-based lubricants in the context of condom use for contraception, not conception. These guidelines recommend water-based lubricants (K-Y Jelly, Astroglide) specifically because oil-based products weaken latex condoms 5. However, this recommendation is reversed for couples trying to conceive, where these same water-based products are detrimental to sperm function 1, 3.

Methodological Limitations

• Most evidence comes from in vitro studies with limited data on actual pregnancy outcomes 6
• Variations in testing methodology between studies make direct comparisons challenging 6
• The mechanism of sperm impairment (direct toxicity versus pH, osmolality, or viscosity effects) remains uncertain 2

Practical Considerations

• Even "sperm-safe" lubricants cause some reduction in sperm function compared to no lubricant, though the clinical significance of this reduction is unclear 2
• The 10-60 minute exposure times used in studies may not perfectly replicate in vivo conditions 1, 3