Lubricants make intercourse more comfortable—that's their primary purpose. Yet, a recent South African study highlights their potential to impair fertility, even among products marketed as conception-friendly.
Successful conception requires optimal sperm performance, including high motility to reach the egg in the fallopian tubes. However, research published on March 23, 2022, in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics reveals that lubricants can disrupt this vital process.
Scientists from the University of Pretoria tested several lubricants, comparing their effects on sperm motility to natural conditions without any products.
They specifically selected three brands promoted as sperm-friendly—Pre-Seed®, Optilube®, and Yes Baby®—which claim to enhance sperm mobility and longevity. Surprisingly, all three significantly impaired sperm progression.
"This study is important because it highlights that these so-called sperm-friendly lubricants may actually interfere with normal conception," explained lead author Johan Markram.
The researchers used sperm samples from men with normal motility as controls, ensuring reliable results unaffected by conditions like asthenospermia, a common cause of male infertility.
While lubricants ease intimacy, this evidence suggests couples trying to conceive should avoid them. The findings also raise concerns about misleading marketing claims, warranting further research on additional brands.
