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Last Updated:
Sep 10th, 2007 - 18:59:21
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Question
I am 32 yrs. old and my male partner who is 39 and I have been TTC for 4 months now. I've been having a hard time waiting to become pregnant, and I'm trying to learn about how to make it happen sooner. I discovered Pre-Seed lubrication online and my question is - can I trust this lube? It says it is the only one that doesn't harm sperm but I want to be sure or else I won't use it. Thank you for your advice.
Answer
You bring up an excellent point that is often missed in infertility evaluations. Namely, is there anything that can be done to create an optimal (or at least non-harmful) environment for sperm to function? Briefly, you are correct--Pre-Seed is the only lubricant shown in several studies not to create a harmful environment for sperm.
Shockingly, some of the commonly recommended lubricants like, KY Jelly, Astroglide and Replens have spermicidal effects similar to the contraceptive jellies (http://www.helpconceive.com/hc_underEffects.html). For starters, I would avoid these.
So what is safe? Think of conception as occurring in a cellular environment. What are cells sensitive to? There are many factors, but in the case of sperm the short list would include: a) pH: the acid-base balance, b)osmolarity: the concentration of a fluid, and c) the abundance of free radicals: atoms with unpaired electrons that are unstable and can damage cells. Pre-Seed has been shown to promote an environment where the acid-base and osmolar balance are within the physiologic range for sperm function. Using a substance with the wrong acid-base and osmolar balance could potentially harm sperm. Finally, Pre-Seed contains the bioactive polysaccharide (sugar) Arabinogalactan which is thought to reduce the amount of oxidative "stress" (the effect of free radicals).
In my practice, I find that the personal lubricant question is almost always overlooked. Couples trying to conceive frequently report using KY or even Saliva, both of which may be extremely harmful to sperm (http://www.ingfertility.com/damage.html). I recommend pre-seed on the days of the menstrual cycle that are likely to result in pregnancy, but where the quality of the cervical mucus is poor. The only way to know this is to monitor the quality of cervical mucus.
Another important point with regard to oxidative stress is the role that an oral antioxidant vitamin regimen might have for the male partner. So in addition to using pre-seed, I also recommend for the man to begin an antioxidant vitamin regimen in addition to the woman being on good prenatal vitamins.
Of course, it is also important that you would see an infertility specialist, as a couple, to make sure that you are covering all the relevant areas that need to be covered for your particular situation. I also recommend that you look into charting the quality of your cervical mucus perhaps by contacting an instructor who can teach you The Creighton Model System, as your ability to make cervical mucus observations may be just as vital in improving the cellular environment that leads to conception.
David V. Picella is a Family Nurse Practitioner with specialty training as a Medical Consultant and teacher of the Creighton Model Fertility Care system.
He is currently working for the Saint Gerard Fertility Center at Santa Teresita Hospital in Duarte, CA. He received his post graduate training as a Family
Nurse Practitioner from the University of California at Irvine College of Medicine in 1997, and he is dedicated to the promotion of non-contraceptive solutions
to women's health problems.
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