Lubricant?

[SarahAbroad]

Hi,

First time posting...no kids (or pregnancies) and this is (was) our first month TTC. Have now read that lubricants can be harmful to the chances of conceiving, and am now worried that we've missed a chance this month as a result. (Without going TMI, we need the lube ....)

So my question is: have we really blown it this month by using lube? And if we need to look at other options--has anyone used the "Pre-seed" that I've read about, or is it just another gimmick?

I know I really need to just chill out (I'm just 6 days into what I think is about a two-week wait) and I know I am making symptoms out of nothing (like nausea, which is almost certainly due to all the rich food I ate on honeymoon (just got back)). But any information (or reassurance) would be really, really helpful now. (Sorry this is so long!)

I look forward to getting to know some of you all....

x
Sarah

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This thread is quite old now and inactive. If you've found this page in search of lubricants that have been tried and tested by fellow Mumsnet users, you might find our guide to the best lubes useful. Hope this helps! MNHQ 💐

[DawnAS]

Hi there,

I was in the same situation as you, in that we were TTC and needed lub because of all the trying!! We used KY Jelly and then found out that it actually kills the sperm. We did get PG that month but on days before we started using it I guess.

We did have a MC with that baby but then tried again and 6 weeks later were PG again. That month we used preseed and it was brilliant.

It is very good, although we didn't follow the instructions on inserting it properly , but it still worked for us.

I think they sell it on Ebay (that's where I got mine).

You may not have been lucky this month if you've had to use lubricant every time, but don't fret honey, there's always next month with preseed!!

xxx

[DawnAS]

By the way - now nearly 37 weeks PG with our pre-seed baby!!

It really does help the sperm get to the right place - definitely buy some if you can!!

xxx

[SarahAbroad]

Thanks DawnASI really do know I need to stop sweating it. I do feel better, and I know I just need to relax and go with the flow a little bit. (It's just such an exciting/major thingit's hard not to get stressed....)

Congratulations to you and good luck for the next few weeks (and the next 18 years)!

x

[DawnAS]

Thanks Sarah,

This TTC lark is not fun really - we were just very very lucky to fall first month and then again 6 weeks after MC, especially since I'm 34.

Normally it takes the average couple a year. But we all like to think that we're not an average couple don't we?

Just keep at it honey and get some Pre-seed. There are loads of threads on here. Come to First Time thread or the Bonkers thread. I'm on both of those and there are people TTCing on both of them!! You get so much support and get loads of tips that you might not have thought about...

xxx

[TakeLovingChances]

?? How do you know lube kills sperm? Is it written on the packet? The one DH and I use (by Durex) says nothing about sperm killing, so I had a look at their website, and it says nothing either...

I think all this lube avoidance is a clever marketing tool by Pre-Seed.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Neeko]

Lots of the fertility books advise against using lubricant...so unless they are sponsored by pre-seed?!? Think most of us on here are so keen to fall pg that we'd try anything within reason

[TakeLovingChances]

Do a search about KY Jelly online and it says that it doesn't effect sperm .

But yeah, I agree that lots of us are willing to avoid anything or do anything to increase chances of getting preg.... I am like that too. DH and I are on cycle 1 ttc so if it takes me a long time to fall preg then I may also give up my lube...

It's so hard to know what to do for the best.

[Neeko]

It's just that what's for the best for one woman, isn't the same as for another. FWIW we used lube occasionally and I fell pg 1st month of trying with DD and with the one I lost. Don't think I'll be so lucky this time though.
Most lube is aimed at the contraceptive market, rather than the conception market so maybe that's why it doesn't say anything? I think that overall being relaxed and not overly obsessing (yeah, right ) would do more good than the harm that a little bit of lube can do.

[wotulookinat]

I didn't think that KY affected sperm. We were using it when I got pregnant.

[YanknCock]

I'd read similar things about regular lube, so got some sachets of Pre-Seed off ebay. 26 weeks pregnant now, after a year of trying and 1 miscarriage.

[fifitot]

KY doesn't necessarily kill sperm but it doesn't create the best environment for them to thrive. Pre seed is formulated to emualte women's most fertile cervical mucus and helps the sperm swim up the cervix. Think KY and others clogs them up a bit.

[PootleTheFlump]

We used preseed and am 16 wks now (have no idea if it helped or not!). I got mine from access diagnostics and there is a 5% off code "zest" until the end of May

[busylady]

i've used preseed and found it a bit messy, but have just bought some zestica which is easier to insert, and feels much better IMHO.

fingers crossed for us all!

[SarahAbroad]

Hey ladies,

Thanks for all the input on this. It's hard to know what's true and what isn't...I think making babies is BIG business, especially with people like. AF arrived on Sunday--a bit disappointing, but it was only our first cycle TTC. Promptly ordered Pre-seed...it cannot hurt. We'll see how it is; might look into Zestica if we aren't happy with the Pre-seed (thanks for the info busylady!)

x Sarah

[donttrythisathome]

Sarah if you look at the info leaflet on the pre-seed it says that tests showed that sperm motility is 80% of normal in pre-seed. in other words 20% less than normal!

i think its only good therefore if you lack sufficient CM yourself. Otherwise your own CM will be better.

You could still use it externally though.

I'm undecided as to what I'll do this month as not sure if my CM is sufficient or not!

[bellabelly]

I am a big fan of pre-seed - we conceived our twins the first month we used it after literally YEARS of trying for a baby! Could just be coincidence but I don't think so...

[busylady]

good thread - if you check out zestica on accessdiagnostics, it says that

"in controlled laboratory studies Zestica Fertility lubricant did not impair sperm motility giving trying to conceive (TTC) couples a better chance."

so that must mean its better than pre-seed for motility? i do have CM,not loads, but to be honest i wouldnt know what is a lot - I need all the help i can get

[donttrythisathome]

Ooh, ta busylady - maybe I'll get some zestica then.

[yellowflowers]

I think pre-seed is ace too. Not conceived but has made those nights having sex to conceive when you just want to go to sleep quicker and easier!

[1SexyMum]

Hey, I have just started using Zestica coz I read that someone used it only twice and got pregnant! It's got a great feel to it. I got mine from Access Diagnostics but the Zestica website also lists a few other sites to buy it from....

[sanghab]

Hey, me and my husband have decided to try for a baby, we decided to come off the pill mid September on our honeymoon.
I had a withdrawal bleed and then my first proper period two weeks ago ( all dates seem to be on time and as per my app flo)

I don't know if anybody else has this but even though we have only been trying for over a month i get paranoid that something is wrong with me or we are not doing things right.

We also regularly use lube which i have recently read can be harmful when trying to conceive..little bit gutted i didn't know this before!

According to my app the best week to try ( just before ovulation) has already passed so i am upset that using lube could have hurt our chances.

So much they don't teach you in school!

For those who have had babies, how long on average did it take you to conceive??

Your help is so appreciated as i feel i haven't got many people to openly speak to about this xx