Can Lubricants Interfere With Getting Pregnant?

Question:

Hi there. I was wondering if you can tell me if using a lubricant like KY sensitive Jelly can hurt your chances of getting pregnant. My husband and I just started using it a few months ago and we have been trying to conceive. I just read online that it can be toxic to sperm. Does this mean that you cannot get pregnant at all while using the lubricant or that it just lowers your chances? We will stop using it if we don't get pregnant this month. Thank you. J. from New York

Answer:

Hello J. from the U.S. (New York),

The rule of thumb is that lubricants like KY can interfere with sperm mobility and therefore also the ability to achieve pregnancy. Some lubricants can kill sperm but it depends completely on the formulation. Johnson and Johnson does make a version that is compatible with attempting pregnancy and there are other companies that produce "fertility-friendly" lubricants as well. You have to look specifically for one that states that it is compatible with trying for pregnancy. Some alternate brands you might want to look at are "Pre-Seed" or "Conceive Plus".

Good Luck,
Dr. Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program

Monterey, California, U.S.A.