Trying to conceive? Your lube may not be helping

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-03-24 15:01

International

Having trouble conceiving? Your ‘sperm friendly’ lube might actually be hindering your efforts, according to international researchers who looked at products aimed at improving slip-and-slide fun for parents-in-progress. The team tested the sperm-friendliness of lubes marketed as ‘sperm friendly’, including Pre-Seed®, Yes Baby®, Optilube®, and also tested olive oil, and egg white. For those trying to conceive, Pre-Seed® was best, followed by Optilube®, then Yes Baby®, but, with the exception of egg white, all lubes seemed to hamper men’s swimmers when compared with untreated controls. The findings are important as the so-called sperm-friendly lubes might actually be hindering conception, the authors say.

Media release

From: Wiley

Are some sex lubricants really “sperm-friendly”?

Lubricants are used by couples during sexual intercourse for numerous reasons, and several lubricants are promoted as “sperm-friendly,” suggesting that they do not negatively affect sperm motility. Results from a study published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics indicate that these marketing claims may be inaccurate and misleading.

The study tested the sperm-friendliness of Pre-Seed®, Yes Baby®, Optilube®, olive oil, and egg white to optimize the likelihood of conception in couples. With the exception of egg white, all lubricants caused significant reductions in sperm motility compared with untreated controls. When comparing sperm-friendliness among commercial brands, Pre-Seed® was superior to Optilube®, which in turn was superior to Yes Baby®.

“This study is important because it highlights that these so-called sperm-friendly lubricants may actually hinder normal conception,” said lead author Johan Markram, MBChB, MMed, MPharm, of the University of Pretoria, in South Africa.

Journal/
conference: International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Pretoria, South Africa

Funder: N/A

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