Effect of vaginal lubricants on natural fertility.
OBJECTIVE
Vaginal lubricants are commonly utilized to facilitate more comfortable and enjoyable intercourse. The impact of these lubricants on fertility is unclear. The aim of this review is to summarize the current in-vitro and clinical data pertaining to lubricants' effect on natural conception.


RESULTS
In-vitro studies suggest lubricants can be toxic to sperm in the artificial laboratory environment. Lubricants formulated to be nontoxic to sperm have no effect on sperm motility or viability in vitro compared to controls. However, a recent longitudinal cohort study suggests lubricant use and choice has no effect of fecundity.


CONCLUSIONS
As a result of the conflicting in-vitro and clinical data, the effect of vaginal lubricants on fertility is still unresolved. A randomized controlled trial is needed to determine the effects of vaginal lubricants on fertility.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Tolga B
TB
Mesen
Anne Z
AZ
Steiner
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D003075:Coitus; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005990:Glycerol / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D054327:Lubricants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*; D014621:Vagina
D054327:Lubricants; D010938:Plant Oils; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D005990:Glycerol