Skip to content

Top Navigation

Parents Parents
  • GETTING PREGNANT
  • PREGNANCY
  • BABY NAMES
  • BABY
  • TODDLER
  • BIG KID
  • FUN
  • HEALTH
  • PARENTING
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAY
  • News
  • THE STAY AT HOME GUIDE
  • SHOP
  • OUR MAGAZINES
  • MORE

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Your Profile
  • Your Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Parents

Parents Parents
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 22 Chore Ideas for Every Type of Kid

      Find a chore your kid loves to do, and start a habit of wanting to help out that'll last a lifetime. Read More Next
    • Top 5 Mom Friend Problems—And How to Fix Them

      Parenting is so much easier with good pals. Learn to overcome friendship hurdles and bond with women who get you. Read More Next
    • How to Sleep Train Toddlers and Big Kids

      I’m a pediatric sleep specialist who has seen it all, and I’m here to tell you that it’s not too late to get your child to (happily) stay in his own bed all night long. Read More Next
  • GETTING PREGNANT

    GETTING PREGNANT

    See All GETTING PREGNANT

    Your Chances of Getting Pregnant Every Day of the Month

    When sex coincides with your most fertile ovulation days, you'll increase your chances of getting pregnant. Get to know each phase of your cycle to make conception faster and easier.
    • Ovulation
    • Reproductive Age
    • Maximizing Your Fertility
    • Pre-Pregnancy Health
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Dealing With Infertility
    • Genetics
  • PREGNANCY

    PREGNANCY

    See All PREGNANCY

    Signs of Approaching Labor: How to Tell Your Baby is Coming Soon

    Anxiously awaiting your baby’s arrival? Learn to recognize the first signs of labor approaching, which signal that your little one might make an appearance soon.
    • Signs of Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Week-by-Week
    • Giving Birth
    • Labor & Delivery
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Due Date Calculator
    • Pregnancy Complications
    • Fetal Development
    • Gender Prediction
    • Baby Showers
  • BABY NAMES

    BABY NAMES

    See All BABY NAMES

    These Are the Most Popular Baby Names of 2020

    Curious which baby names stole the show this year? From new classics like Noah to tried-and-true faves like Ava, here are the top boy and girl names of the year so far, plus more naming trends to consider.
    • Baby Girl Names
    • Most Popular Names
    • Names by Origin
    • Twin Names
    • Baby Boy Names
    • Names by Religion
    • Celebrity Baby Names
    • Baby Name Quizzes
  • BABY

    BABY

    See All BABY

    How to Decode Your Baby's Cough

    Caring for a baby with a wet or dry cough? Listen for wheezing, hacking, or barking first, then read on to find out what's normal and when it's time to worry.
    • Newborn Care
    • Crying Baby
    • Health
    • Baby Development
    • Safety
    • Gear
    • Breastfeeding
    • Diapers
    • Sleep Issues
    • Feeding
    • Nursery
  • TODDLER

    TODDLER

    See All TODDLER
    • Preschool Activities
    • Behavior & Discipline
    • Toddler Development
    • Milestones
    • Potty Training
    • Starting School
    • Health
    • Safety
    • Childcare
  • BIG KID

    BIG KID

    See All BIG KID

    How to Deal With Bullies: A Guide for Parents

    Mean kids aren't just a middle-school problem. The trouble has trickled to the youngest grades. Learn how to spot it—and how to protect children of all ages from bullies at school.
    • Education
    • Health
    • Food & Nutrition
    • Bullying & School Problems
    • Child Development
    • Safety
    • Manners & Responsibility
  • FUN

    FUN

    See All FUN

    17 Budget-Friendly Kids’ Birthday Party Ideas

    A fun celebration doesn’t need to cost a pretty penny. Throw a memorable bash with these clever cost-cutting kids’ birthday party ideas.
    • Birthdays
    • Indoor Activities
    • Outdoor Activities
    • Arts & Crafts
    • Printable Coloring Pages
    • Kids' Entertainment
    • Best Toys
    • Holidays
    • Family Vacation Ideas
  • HEALTH

    HEALTH

    See All HEALTH

    All About Coronavirus COVID-19: A Concerned Parent's Guide

    Here’s everything you need to know about the disease that originated in Wuhan, China.
    • ADD & ADHD
    • Allergies
    • Autism
    • Cold & Flu
    • Coronavirus and COVID-19
    • Cough
    • Down Syndrome
    • Emergency Aid
    • Fever
    • Medication & Vitamins
    • Obesity
    • Rashes
    • Stomach Aches
    • Vaccines
  • PARENTING

    PARENTING

    See All PARENTING

    The Stay at Home Guide for Parents

    Everything you need to thrive at home as a family.
    • Positive Parenting
    • Parenting Style
    • Celebrity Parents
    • Family Dynamics
    • Divorce
    • Home
    • Adoption
    • Just for Mom
    • Money
    • Toy Recalls
    • Stroller Recalls
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    • Family Recipes
    • Baby Food
    • Toddler Finger Food Recipes
    • Hints & Tips
    • Healthy Eating
    • Birthdays
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Meals
    • Food For Pregnant Women
  • HOLIDAY

    HOLIDAY

    See All HOLIDAY

    6 Easter Egg Science Experiments for Kids

    Smarten up your annual Easter tradition with these easy, educational egg dyeing ideas.
    • Christmas
    • New Year's
    • Valentine's Day
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Father's Day
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
  • News
  • THE STAY AT HOME GUIDE
  • SHOP
  • OUR MAGAZINES

    OUR MAGAZINES

    See All OUR MAGAZINES
    • Parents
    • Parents Latina
    • Ser Padres
  • MORE

    MORE

    • Newsletters
    • Contests
    • ParentsIRL
    • Adulting
    • First Year Playbook
    • Celebrate Your Way

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Your Profile
  • Your Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Getting Pregnant
  3. Trying to Conceive
  4. How to Get Pregnant
  5. Sperm-Friendly Lubricants: What TTC Couples Need to Know

Sperm-Friendly Lubricants: What TTC Couples Need to Know

By Nicole Harris
Updated September 11, 2019
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Phillip Graybill
If you’re trying to conceive, you know that everything about baby-making sex is different—and the pressure is definitely on. Get a little help with this knowledge about sperm-friendly lubricants.
Start Slideshow

1 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Why Couples Use Lube When TTC

Credit: VGstockstudio/Shutterstock

Lubricants make sex more comfortable and enjoyable, and they may be especially necessary when trying to conceive. That’s because baby-making sex tends to be less romantic, less spontaneous, and more of a chore, according to Dr. Peter Rizk, Ob-Gyn and fertility expert for Fairhaven Health. “Complicating matters further, some fertility medications cause vaginal dryness, making it almost a necessity for women who are on fertility meds to use a lubricant during sex,” he adds. 

  • RELATED: The Truth About Babymaking Sex

1 of 8

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Does Your Lube Harm Sperm?

Credit: iStockphoto

When choosing a lubricant normally, you only need to follow a few specific requirements: no parabens and no added fragrances. But the stakes are higher when trying to conceive, says Dr. Rizk, and using the wrong lubricant can jeopardize the success of conception. Lubes that aren’t specifically geared for fertility may “contain ingredients and/or have a pH that is harmful to sperm,” he adds.

2 of 8

3 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Right Type of TTC Lube

Credit: Shutterstock

When trying to conceive, always look for a lubricant designed specifically to be fertility-friendly. These can “provide a protective environment for sperm as it makes its way through the female reproductive tract,” says Dr. Rizk. “These lubricants also mimic the consistency and viscosity of cervical mucus, making it a great match for sperm.”

  • RELATED: Lube and Pregnancy Sex: What's Safe, What's Not

3 of 8

Advertisement

4 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sperm-Friendly Lube Requirements

Credit: Juice Images/Getty Images

Lubricants marketed as “sperm-friendly” or “fertility-friendly” must be cleared by the FDA before being sold. They must also be water-based and tested to ensure they fit the following requirements, according to Dr. Rizk:

  • They must be pH neutral (pH 7) and isosmotic/isotonic (e.g. 300 mOsmo/kg) with fertile cervical mucus and semen “to prevent shock and damage to sperm and eggs,” he says. 
  • They can’t interfere with human sperm motility, survival, or integrity, as well as embryo development. 
  • They must have the correct viscosity to allow sperm to swim into and through the lubricant.
  • They’re safe to use for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other fertility methods.
  • They have low levels of endotoxins at all times. These are “toxins produced by bacteria that can harm sperm and egg function even at relatively low levels,” says Dr. Rizk.

4 of 8

5 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Things to Avoid

Credit: Alexander Nicholson/Getty Images

Always read the ingredients of lubricants before buying. Note that many "fertility lubricants" contain parabens, which have been linked to endocrine disruption. Dr. Rizk recommends avoiding the following:

  • Lubricants containing glycerol and/or parabens
  • Lubricants with a pH less than 7. “The box should either list the pH value or state that the product is pH matched to cervical mucus,” he says.
  • Lubricants with an osmolality greater than 400 mOsm/kg
  • “Organic” or “natural” lubricants not cleared by the FDA

Finally, don’t make the mistake of confusing a non-spermicidal lubricant with a fertility-friendly lubricant.

  • RELATED: Your Chances of Getting Pregnant at Every Age

5 of 8

6 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Is Lube Necessary When Trying to Conceive?

Credit: Gpointstudio/Shutterstock

Fertility lubricants don’t promise to make conception easier, says Dr. Rizk. But they aren't harmful to sperm or eggs, so they also don’t interfere with conception. Each couple can decide for themselves whether to use a sperm-friendly lubricant.

6 of 8

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Can I Use Oil as Lube?

You may have heard that oils can double as lube, but don’t follow this advice. “Household oils might contain toxic peroxides and inflammatory chemicals due to exposure to light and storage at room temperature,” says Dr. Rizk. Coconut oil can temporarily relieve vaginal dryness and discomfort, but “it has to be cleaned out by the vagina and can interfere with your natural vaginal self-cleaning, so it’s been associated with an increased risk for vaginal infections.”

  • RELATED: 10 Common Baby-Making Mistakes

7 of 8

8 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Best Sperm-Friendly Lubricant

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

Dr. Rizk recommends only one lubricant for couples trying to conceive: BabyDance Fertility Lubricant. “BabyDance is the only sperm-friendly fertility lubricant made without parabens and cleared by the FDA,” he says. Through clinical trials, it’s been shown not to interfere with sperm parameters, cervical mucus penetration, or embryo development. The pH also matches that of fertile cervical mucus and semen.

8 of 8

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 8 Why Couples Use Lube When TTC
2 of 8 Does Your Lube Harm Sperm?
3 of 8 The Right Type of TTC Lube
4 of 8 Sperm-Friendly Lube Requirements
5 of 8 Things to Avoid
6 of 8 Is Lube Necessary When Trying to Conceive?
7 of 8 Can I Use Oil as Lube?
8 of 8 The Best Sperm-Friendly Lubricant

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Parents

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • From Our Sponsors this link opens in a new tab
  • Affiliate Program this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Parents.com is part of the Parents Network. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.parents.com

View image

Sperm-Friendly Lubricants: What TTC Couples Need to Know
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.