BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The one in eight couples experiencing trouble conceiving a baby might look no further than the lubricant they use. It’s no secret that the stress and pressure of planned intercourse around optimal ovulation can cause vaginal dryness and having to perform "on demand" can lead to discomfort during intercourse.
Clinical findings have led fertility experts to discourage the use of many commercially available lubricants because they have been found to impair sperm motility and potentially lower sperm vitality, inhibiting conception and decreasing fertility. Motile sperm are able to fertilize female eggs, whereas immotile but viable sperm are not.
“Common lubricants can damage sperm because they have the wrong pH and are not 'isotonic,' meaning they have high salt or ion levels that dehydrate sperm and stop them from swimming,” says Machelle Seibel, MD OB/GYN, author of HealthCheques: Journal Babies and past Editor in Chief of Sexuality, Reproduction & Menopause. “And, some lubricants contain preservatives that are toxic to sperm.”
Published clinical studies find that Pre-Seed lubricant is balanced to match the fertile cervical environment in pH, osmolarity and consistency, and does not harm sperm.
One study, “In Vitro Effects of Coital Lubricants and Synthetic and Natural Oils on Sperm Motility Fertility and Sterility,” finds that Pre-Seed is not only safe for conception, but sperm actually perform significantly better on key fertility measures than an array of other lubricants. Pre-Seed was cited as a sperm-friendly coital lubricant for TTC couples, “having no deleterious effects on sperm motility and chromatin integrity in-vitro.”
According to the study published in Fertility and Sterility, the “Effect of an Isotonic Lubricant on Sperm Collection and Sperm Quality,” analysis concluded that “the isotonic lubricant Pre-Seed did not compromise sperm quality as demonstrated in an array of sperm assays, suggesting its safe use in fertility patients,” as well as for other couples trying to conceive. Additionally, Pre-Seed was found to be a promising solution for vaginal dryness. The facts are in:
- Sperm treated with Pre-Seed had a significantly higher percentage of live sperm cells compared with other lubricants, and did not impact the DNA integrity of sperm.
- Motility is the most important predictor of sperm transport and subsequent fertilization. Sperm treated with Pre-Seed showed significantly higher progressive motility than all other lubricants.
“If you're not pregnant in 6-12 months see a fertility specialist. But remember, the findings are clear: Common lubricants are toxic to sperm and should be avoided by couples trying to conceive. Sexual dysfunction rates can also increase for TTC couples, leaving them with a need for information on appropriate lubricant choices," says Seibel. “With the latest data highlighting the efficacy of Pre-Seed in aiding fertility, couples interested in conceiving now have a tested, viable lubricant to ease their way,” adds Seibel.
