When we talk about lubricants, we immediately associate them with increasing pleasure for the couple. But lubrication goes beyond sexual pleasure: cervical mucus and arousal lubrication are essential for pregnancy1.
In the past, well-known lubricants were marketed with the aim of improving pleasure and, because they contained spermicide, helping to prevent unwanted pregnancies. But if the goal is to conceive, their composition should be different.
A lubricant for getting pregnant should not only keep sperm alive, but also increase their lifespan. It should provide a more suitable environment so they can more easily reach the egg and the woman can successfully get pregnant. This is how the lubricant for conception, or fertility-friendly lubricant as couples trying to conceive commonly call it, was developed.
What is a Lubricant for Getting Pregnant?
The lubricant for getting pregnant is a product that can come in the form of an ointment or, more often, a gel. Usually, it is water-based and mimics the consistency of cervical mucus, the fertile mucus that helps women conceive more easily. Because they are water-based, they do not harm or alter vaginal pH, which is an essential factor for everything to occur as expected.
FamiGel is an example of a lubricant with neutral pH and essential minerals that reproduces the feeling of natural feminine lubrication during the female cycle. You can purchase FamiGel in our online store.
The vagina has a type of “security system”: the vaginal flora. It helps fight bacteria, fungi, and infections that cause various diseases, as well as uncomfortable symptoms such as itching and burning. This security system is formed by thousands of microorganisms whose sole purpose is to fight off any foreign elements entering the vagina.
However, for this security system to function properly, an appropriate environment is needed, with the perfect balance of these microorganisms. People do not usually think about their vaginal flora, but they should. It is through this balance that women can stay free from such bothersome vaginal infections and keep the vagina healthy for conception.
How Does Vaginal Flora Work?
We feel heartburn in the stomach when we eat very acidic or fatty foods. This happens because of the pH of these foods, which changes the digestive enzymes and causes symptoms. Vaginal flora works in a similar way. It is necessary to maintain the natural acidic pH to fight off possible intruders, preventing them from surviving in the area for very long. And that is where the use of a lubricant for conception and its importance comes in.
How Does the Lubricant for Getting Pregnant Help?
As a lubricant suitable for fertility, it is made with a water base to respect this pH. Thus, its acidity is as close as possible to the natural level to balance the vaginal flora.
Many specialists point out that some common lubricants harm sperm motility, which is why fertility-friendly lubricants are made with some adjustments. This way, the consistency of the lubricant is as close as possible to the woman’s natural mucus, allowing sperm to travel more easily to the egg.
For women who struggle with vaginal dryness, lubricant for conception will play the role of cervical mucus and help sperm reach the egg more easily. As the lubricant makes the environment satisfactory and balanced, they will survive longer, increasing the chances of conception.
Besides Lubricant, How Can I Improve Fertility?
In addition to lubricant for getting pregnant, there are other care tips, tactics, and advice that can be followed to increase and improve fertility, both for men and women. Here are the main ones, which increase chances of pregnancy when followed alongside the use of a fertility-friendly lubricant.
- Eat Healthy – Most people don’t even realize it, but diet has a big impact on both male and female fertility2. Not only positively, but also negatively, depending on overconsumption of certain foods. If you’re focused on conceiving, focus on colorful foods, seeds, vegetables, greens, and fruits. Some fish like tuna and salmon also give a little extra boost to fertility. Foods rich in vitamin E, zinc, B complex, selenium, and omega-3 are essential, as well as folic acid, which is crucial to strengthen eggs and sperm. For men, in addition to all these vitamins, it’s extremely important to consume foods rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help improve sperm quality and fight free radicals, which can damage sperm. We know that with daily life rushing by it can be hard to eat right, so there are special multivitamins for those trying to conceive.
- Control Your Weight – Weight control isn’t just about looks, it’s about health. In addition to the thousands of problems that can be caused by being overweight, fertility is also affected. Not only does it make it more difficult to get pregnant, but if a woman does conceive while overweight, there are risks of pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, and gestational diabetes, plus the risk of preterm birth. For women, being underweight can also be a problem, as it can disrupt or even stop the menstrual cycle. For men, being overweight increases the chance of producing low quality sperm.
- Stop Smoking and Drinking – If you’ve decided to have a baby, now is the time to change your habits and live a healthy life. Cigarettes, as well as alcoholic drinks, are already bad for men’s and women’s health. When it comes to fertility, things get worse. For women, alcohol consumption should be stopped several months before trying to conceive, as the alcohol remains in the body for some time. Getting pregnant with alcohol in your system increases the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, fetal alcohol syndrome, and even low birth weight babies. In men, alcohol and tobacco directly affect fertility, reducing sperm count and quality, lowering testosterone levels, and causing erectile dysfunction.
- Reduce Caffeine – When we talk about caffeine, we immediately think of that cup of black coffee. But caffeine is in other drinks like soda, some teas, and chocolate, too. It’s not necessary to quit caffeine altogether, but you should cut back. Excessive consumption harms female fertility, altering hormone levels and ovarian stimulation3. For men, it also affects hormones, changing sperm production and quality.
If your goal is to grow your family and get pregnant, changes are necessary. These changes are worth it, since as well as being good for your health, they can also help you get that positive result sooner. See your gynecologist, get tests to check your health and, if you’ve been trying for a long time, talk to your partner about getting tested too.
After your test results, the appropriate treatment can be recommended if needed. If not necessary, lifestyle changes and some tricks like using a lubricant for conception, ovulation tests, and tracking your menstrual cycle may be the best tools to get a positive result quickly. There are also fertility-enhancing vitamins that help maintain good egg quality and uterine strength. For men, these can help improve the number, quality, and motility of sperm.
With the great advances in fertility medicine, the dream of getting pregnant is coming ever closer for many people. There are many helpful product options and effective treatments for all couples. Consult your gynecologist.