Sex-to-conceive can be just as pleasurable as the non-procreative kind — if you have the right fertility lubricant with you.
Vaginal lubricants increase comfort, enhance pleasure, and play well with sex toys if you want to change things up a ‘lil in your bedroom.
For people trying to get pregnant, fertility-friendly lubricants do all that and more.
Fertility lubes create an optimal and safe environment for sperm to travel toward the egg. This may help improve your chances of pregnancy success.
Ahead, we’ll explore the role and benefits of fertility lubricants and compare them to regular lubricants. We also share some sperm-safe lubricants, including Conceive Plus, to help you make the right choice on your journey toward parenthood.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended as medical advice.
Do Fertility Lubricants, Like Conceive Plus, Help You Get Pregnant?
Often, couples wonder if fertility lubricants can improve their chances of getting pregnant.
To answer your question, we dived deep into the scientific literature. One study published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics caught our eye.
The Scientific Verdict on Fertility Lubricants for Conception
In this study, the researchers stacked nine lubricants against one another, including Conceive Plus Lubricant. The findings were jaw-dropping:
- For sperm motility, Conceive Plus achieved close to 80%.
- For sperm vitality, Conceive Plus scored >70%.
Looking at these key parameters for conception success, it shows Conceive Plus was one of the better-performing fertility lubricants out there!
Let’s learn more about how each of the parameters — sperm motility and sperm vitality — relate to your odds of getting pregnant.
Better Sperm Health = Better Fertility Health
When your swimmers have high motility, they can swim toward the egg more efficiently. This, in turn, increases your chances of the sperm reaching the egg instead of being held up somewhere along the vaginal tract.
What about sperm vitality, then? It measures the percentage of live sperm present in a semen sample. Having more live sperm than dead sperm plays a crucial role in determining your odds of conception 😉
In the next section, you’ll learn why TTC couples should cart out fertility lubricants rather than the conventional ones.
Pro Tip: Are you struggling with poor sperm motility? Our guide on Low Sperm Motility can help you out.
Are Fertility-Friendly Lubricants Better Than Ordinary Lubricants?
Not all lubricants are created equal, especially when you’re trying to conceive (TTC). Conventional water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based lubricants may, in fact, adversely impact sperm motility and viability (read: sperm vitality).
If you’ve previously mistaken a non-spermicidal lubricant as safe for sex-to-conceive, the following section will probably turn your world upside down.
Most Vaginal Lubricants Are Sperm-Toxic 😳
A 2019 study warned that “most vaginal lubricants are sperm toxic and therefore should not be used by couples trying-to-conceive.”
In fact, the study proclaimed “Aquagel is one of the most sperm toxic ‘non-spermicidal’ lubricants currently available in the marketplace” — the results showed that Aquagel lowered sperm motility, even at low concentrations of 5%!
To complicate matters, lubricants labeled as “non-spermicidal” don’t necessarily mean “a product is sperm-safe or that it will not harm or kill sperm.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has classified certain fertility-friendly lubricants like Conceive Plus as PEB.
In human-speak, PEB is a Product Code for lubes that are “gamete, fertilization and embryo compatible.”
No wonder PEB-cleared lubricants — like Conceive Plus — are identified as lubes safe for procreative sex!
Fertility Lubes Are Tested Against Toxins
One key factor that sets fertility lubricants apart from their non-fertility-friendly counterparts is their rigorous screening process.
Fertility lubricants are thoroughly tested to ensure they do not contain a dangerously high amount of endotoxins.
ICYDK, endotoxins are produced by gram-negative bacteria.
To ensure the safety and well-being of both sperm and eggs, Conceive Plus is carefully screened for endotoxins.
Meanwhile, using lubricants not designed for conception may introduce ingredients or pH levels that can harm sperm.
For example, conventional lubes — such as those commonly found in your local drugstore — may contain additives or substances that could negatively affect sperm motility and vitality.
Plus, most regular vaginal lubricants can have a pH level below 7.0. Their too-acidic formula isn’t compatible with that of sperm, which prefers a neutral to slightly alkaline environment of pH 7.0 to 8.5.
Is Fertility-Friendly Lube Necessary When Trying To Conceive?
The answer depends on your procreative needs, as everyone’s conception journey can look and feel different.
Here are a few reasons why you might find fertility lubricants necessary when trying to conceive:
1. Enhance Sexual Pleasure
Sex-to-conceive can become stressful and monotonous, not a good foundation for finding pleasure in each other’s arms.
Using a fertility-friendly lubricant can enhance sexual pleasure and intimacy for couples. Lubes provide a smooth and comfortable experience during intimate moments, making the process more enjoyable for both partners.
Even if you don't necessarily require lubrication for getting pregnant, including a fertility-friendly lubricant in your routine may deepen sexual bliss with the added bonus of not harming the swimmers.
Pro Tip: Need some help rekindling the intimacy in your relationship? Check out our post on How to Keep the Spark Alive While You’re Trying to Conceive.
2. Lower Discomfort During Penetration
If discomfort or pain during penetration puts you off sex, a fertility lubricant like Conceive Plus may help.
These lubes help reduce friction, making intercourse more comfortable.
By minimizing discomfort, you and your partner can now focus on the emotional and physical pleasure as you work in tandem toward your conception goals.
3. Moisturize the Vagina
Vaginal dryness is a common concern for TTC folks who ovulate, especially if:
- They are taking fertility medications that trigger said dryness as a side effect, and/or
- They are trying at a later age, for example, above 35 years old
That’s where fertility lubricants can be highly beneficial. It provides much-needed moisture to the vaginal area, making it easier for the penis to enter and do its job.
And you don’t even need much, to begin with! For example, a teaspoon-sized amount of Conceive Plus Lubricant is all you need to get it going 😌
Ultimately, the decision to use a fertility-friendly lubricant depends on your personal preferences, needs, and circumstances. If you and your partner are experiencing any of the mentioned scenarios, a fertility lube can be a valuable addition to your conception journey.
Next, we’ll share our top favorites for TTC couples on the lookout for fertility-friendly lubricants.
What Lubricants Will Be Suitable for Us if We Are Trying To Conceive?
The good news is that there are a few fertility lubricants suitable for couples trying for a baby.
1. Conceive Plus Fertility Lubricant
As mentioned earlier, Conceive Plus Lubricant is FDA-cleared and under the PEB category.
Here’s why you need Conceive Plus during sex:
- Matches the pH of sperm and fertile cervical mucus (about 7)
- Creates the ideal environment for sperm to survive and move efficiently
- Enhances comfort during sex
- Moisturizes vaginal tissues
And for the proverbial cherry on top? Unlike other fertility lubricants, Conceive Plus is infused with magnesium and calcium ions to keep sperm in tip-top health.
2. Pre-Seed Fertility Lubricant
Just like Conceive Plus, Pre-Seed is FDA-cleared (PEB category). Its clinically tested formula is isotonic and pH-balanced to give sperm the best chance of survival once deposited in the vaginal tract.
Similar to Conceive Plus, Pre-Seed is:
- Compatible with sperm, eggs, and embryos
- Does not interfere with sperm function
3. FertilSafe PLUS Fertility-Friendly Lubricant
FertilSafe PLUS is another fertility-friendly lubricant you might want to consider.
Just like Conceive Plus, FertilSafe PLUS is pH-balanced and formulated to mimic natural lubrication fluids. That said, this fertility lube is only sold in the U.K. without being FDA-cleared.
What Lubricants To Avoid When Trying To Conceive
Besides knowing the right lubricants to choose for conception, perhaps even more important, is to know which types to stay away from.
Here are some lubricant characteristics to steer clear of:
- Ingredients that affect sperm function: Petroleum and silicone oil are just some examples of ingredients that slow down sperm motility and affect sperm viability.
- Misunderstanding “non-spermicidal” as “fertility-friendly”: As mentioned earlier, the “non-spermicial” label doesn’t necessarily mean that the lubricant is sperm-safe. It’s still best to choose lubes that are classified under the PEB category.
- "Organic" or "natural" labels: While the terms "organic" and "natural" can be appealing, bear in mind that these labels don’t guarantee that the product is 100% fertility-friendly.
When Should I Use Fertility Lubricant?
Just like tracking your ovulation and scheduling procreative sex, timing is key when it comes to using fertility lubricants.
It's recommended to apply fertility-friendly lube during sexual intercourse.
To maximize your chances of conception, time sex during your fertile window. This is the short period — roughly 5-6 days — in which you’re most likely to get pregnant.
By using fertility lubricants like Conceive Plus during fertile window, procreative sex becomes less tedious and more pleasurable.
Pro Tip: Our post on Chances Of Getting Pregnant Before, During, And After Ovulation will help you work out the best odds of conception.
Intimacy Redefined With Conceive Plus Lubricant During Sex
Fertility lubricants, like Conceive Plus, play a significant role in supporting couples on their journey to parenthood.
These specially formulated lubricants create an optimal and safe environment for sperm, helping you work toward a chance of successful pregnancy. Based on scientific studies, a few key choices stand out from the sea of fertility-friendly lubricants.
Case in point: Conceive Plus Lubricant. It’s cleared by the FDA and recognized under the PEB Product Code as a fertility-friendly lubricant for TTC couples like yourself.
To aim for a successful pregnancy with twoplus, pair Conceive Plus Fertility Lubricant with our Sperm Guide (a fertility tool that reduces semen backflow). Plus, we’re giving away a free Conceive Plus Lubricant with every purchase of the twoplus Sperm Guide 😉
Best of luck on your fertility journey!