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Can fertility lubricant help me get pregnant?

Approved by our Clinical team | Mar 18, 2021

If you’re trying to get pregnant, you might have considered using some new products in the bedroom. Rather than reaching for the condoms, you might be trying out stimulating sex toys or a new lubricant to get you in the mood and heighten your pleasure.

If you’re a couple trying to conceive, fertility lubricant can be useful. Read on to find out why.

Using lubricant during sex

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Lubricant (or “lube”) can be applied to the genitals and anus to make them wetter and more slippery, reducing friction. It’s a really handy thing to keep in the bedroom, as it can help make sex more comfortable and pleasurable for both you and your partner.

In women, regular sex can sometimes cause infection and inflammation in the urethra and bladder – using lube can be a good way to reduce the risk of damage. Lube is also helpful in anal sex. This is because the anus isn’t self-lubricating, and the tissue here can tear easily.

The one thing to keep in mind is that not all lubricants are equal, so always read the description before you buy one. If you’re using condoms, you should use a water-based lube, as an oil-based one can damage the condom material.

Using fertility lubricant

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Fertility lube is different from normal lube in a few ways. First off, it’s specifically designed to help couples who are trying to conceive. This means that it may be “sperm-friendly” and has been created to not prevent sperm from reaching or fertilising an egg.

Secondly, you’ll probably use it in a different way to normal lube. Rather than applying it in the heat of the moment, you might need to use your fertility lubricant before you start having sex. Depending on the type, you might need to insert the lube directly into your vagina using an applicator.

There are a few different brands of fertility lubricant in the UK, including the well-known brand Conceive Plus. This is marketed as “the only fertility lubricant that contains Calcium and Magnesium ions to support sperm viability, sperm motility and the process of fertilisation”.

The benefits of fertility lubricant

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Using a fertility lubricant won’t make you more fertile, but it may enhance your sex life while you’re trying to conceive. They can help with vaginal dryness by mimicking your natural cervical fluids.

The primary benefit of fertility lubricant is that it’s may be sperm-friendly for couples who are trying to get pregnant. Lots of other types of lube won’t be safe, because they can have a negative effect on sperm motility and might prevent fertilisation. Make sure to read product descriptions and packaging when buying fertility lubricant.

In a clinical study carried out by the manufacturer, it was found that Conceive Plus fertility lubricant:

Doesn’t harm the viability or motility of sperm
Doesn’t create a barrier against sperm motility
Doesn’t hinder the process of egg fertilisation
Doesn’t harm embryo development

This means you and your partner can use it without worrying that it might get in the way of conceiving.

Another big benefit of fertility lube is that it may make sex much more comfortable and fun! The more you enjoy sex, the more frequently you’ll have it, and the more likely you are to conceive. As a guide, the NHS recommends that women under 40 should get pregnant within a year if they have regular, unprotected sex – this is sex every two to three days.

Lubricants to avoid when you’re trying to conceive

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Fertility lubricants should be clearly marketed and packaged as a fertility treatment, indicating that they’re to be used by couples trying to get pregnant. They might be labelled as “fertility-friendly” or “sperm-friendly”.

Other types of lube not targeted for fertility may not be safe to use, as they could harm sperm and prevent fertilisation. Even types of lube that are described as “non-spermicidal” may not be safe.

If you’re in any doubt at all, it’s best to speak to a healthcare professional or one of our pharmacists before you use a new product.

Tips for women trying to conceive

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If you’re trying to conceive, try to do the following:

Have sex without contraception every two to three days
Take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day
Keep an eye on your menstrual cycle and ovulation – you’ll be most likely to get pregnant just after an egg has been released from your ovaries

And remember, it can take a while to get pregnant, so don’t panic if it doesn’t happen straight away.