The bottom line is that the type of lubricant you use can make a difference in your ability to conceive. Use of personal lubricants that contain glycerol (such as KY Jelly) may trigger yeast infections in women who are prone to them. Water isn't toxic to sperm and won't interfere with the sperm's ability to reach the cervix. If you’re having difficulty getting pregnant, Richardson says ask your partner to get tested. All lubes are not created equal though. “It’s the easiest and cheapest, and you want to make sure his sperm count is healthy before you go down the expensive road of female infertility workup.”. Should we steer clear of the hot tub while trying to get pregnant? It's common for women to feel more slippery around the time of ovulation and less slippery afterward. The vitamins can help ensure that your body gets enough vitamins and minerals to create a healthy environment for a growing fetus should you become pregnant. Effect of vaginal lubricants on sperm motility and chromatin integrity: A prospective comparative study. Did you know most commonly sold lubricants harm sperm, which can decrease the likelihood that sperm will be able to survive the difficult journey through the cervix and into the fallopian tubes to meet the egg for fertilization? In fact, it's acidic enough to kill sperm. The latent phase of labor comes before the active labor stage. The Mayo Clinic notes that women of reproductive age should take prenatal vitamins regularly. If you have sex again, use a new condom. If you're relying on a latex condom for birth control or to prevent STI transmission, you should not be using oil-based lube. If you have anal, oral, or vaginal sex, the best way to prevent STDs is using barriers like condoms and dams. Condoms come lubricated to make them easier to use, but you may also like to use additional lubricant (lube). Here are some details about the process, including how…. If you’re trying to conceive it’s important to use a fertility lubricant that is “sperm friendly.” While you can't use them to prevent pregnancy (you'd need spermicide for that), they are not a good choice when you're trying to get pregnant. “Omega-3 supplements like Carlson’s cod liver oil can help a lot with this. It's a desert down there: Help for vaginal dryness. There's some conflicting evidence, but a number of studies have found that vaginal lubricants can both damage sperm and interfere with their ability to travel to the uterus to fertilize an egg. Related questions. Fertility and Sterility 89(2):375-9. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0015028207005183, Andelioux M. 2011. 2013. Every person is different, but even the earliest pregnancy symptoms usually include more than the…. Vaginal lubricants for the infertile couple: Effect on sperm activity. “Some couples are having sex on the wrong days,” said Richardson. Effect of vaginal lubricants on natural fertility. What to Expect When You’re in the Latent (Early) Phase of Labor, Pregnancy Snacks for Your Cravings and Challenges, Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. Richardson adds that relaxing and keeping sex fun scientifically increases your chance of becoming pregnant. What about other lube-like products? Using lubrication helps prevent these tears. Here’s the truth. Avoid using products in the vaginal area. How effective is spermicide? Store-bought lubricant only slows the sperm further, leaving it more likely to die within the vagina, before reaching the egg. Cod liver oil has this in spades and in natural form,” Oh said. According to the NHS, the contraceptive patch is 99 percent effective when used correctly. If you have been cleared for sex by your health-care provider and are using a reputable lubricant according to directions there is very little if any risk of harm to your baby. Despite what you've heard about seafood and mercury levels, calamari in pregnancy is safe — in moderation. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Fertility and Sterility 100(3):631–7. It may. Obstetrics & Gynecology 120(1):44-51. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22914390 [Accessed June 2016]. The FDA advises against using any oil-based lube if you’re going to use a condom. They help prevent pregnancy, too.) If you've used other slidey-glidey products in the past, such as … To make vaginal-penile sex even safer, consider using lubricant (lube). What Can I Eat If I Have Gestational Diabetes? It's available in many forms, including cream, gel, foam, film, suppository and tablet.Spermicide isn't a very effective birth control method when used alone. Yes and yes. Nursing for Women's Health 15:253-7. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1751-486X.2011.01642.x/abstract [Accessed June 2016], Anderson L, et al. Friction from too little lubrication during sex can cause tiny tears in the vagina or anus and provide openings for STIs and HIV to enter the body. Some people chart their menstrual cycles to encourage or avoid pregnancy, but there's no reason that you couldn't use such a chart to plan sex for days when you are likely to produce less lubricant and therefore have more pleasurable friction. If painful intercourse, which can be caused by a lack of vaginal lubrication, decreases the chance of natural conception—perhaps additional lubrication is the answer. Usually include more than the… made of latex reproductive age should take prenatal vitamins to. Of personal lubricants that contain glycerol ( such as nonoxynol-9, prevent sperm from entering the uterus along another. 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