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| POSTED 11/1/2005 |
Some Vaginal Lubricants
May Harm Sperm |
Findings from a recent study presented at the ASRM/Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society meeting in Montreal show that three brands of commonly used vaginal lubricants, FemGlide®, Replens®, and Astroglide® may damage sperm integrity A fourth brand, Pre-Seed®, however, did not appear to cause significant damage to sperm.
Vaginal lubricants are often recommended for relieving vaginal dryness in women undergoing fertility treatment. The study results indicate that when mixed with sperm during intercourse, certain vaginal lubricants may affect sperm quality and decrease the potential for fertilization and conception.
The greatest level of sperm activity (64 percent) was found in the solution treated with Pre-Seed®, followed by 51 percent with FemGlide® and 25 percent with Replens®. Low sperm activity significantly reduces the chances of conception. Sperm treated with no vaginal lubricant averaged 66 percent of sperm activity.
The researchers also compared the long-term effects of exposure to three vaginal lubricants, Pre-Seed®, FemGlide®, and KY® on sperm quality as measured by DNA damage. After four hours, Pre-Seed® was associated with the smallest amount of sperm DNA damage at 7 percent more than untreated sperm. KY® produced 10 percent more sperm damage than untreated sperm and FemGlide at 15 percent.
The study team believe that Pre-Seed® is safe to use for couples undergoing fertility treatment because it was associated with the least damage to sperm quality and activity. Before using any vaginal lubricant, consult with your doctor.
Date Posted: December 19, 2005 |
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