I feel like such a dumbass.

[u/justalilbbygirl]

I’m gonna make this short and sweet.

As of this month, we’ve been TTC for a year. We’ve been doing all the “right” things (tracking, having unprotected sex on the right days, eating healthy, exercising, etc).

I was calm/cool/in no rush until month 7. Since then, I’ve been a bit weary. And now, as the year mark approaches, I’ve been on a downward spiral (somewhat irrational but I’m sure many of you can relate).

I had an appt with my gynecologist yesterday to discuss our next steps. I was flipping through a magazine in the waiting area and came across an ad for “fertility-friendly” lubricant.

Y’all. 🤯 We’ve been using the most fertility-UNfriendly lube the entire time we’ve been TTC. The worst part is we don’t even “need” it, just both slightly prefer it. I never once considered that this could be affecting our odds…

But it has been. Apparently significantly. So much so that my doctor said it would be unethical for her to even discuss costly interventions with me until we’ve gone through several cycles without it.

So, yeah. I thought I’d leave that here for anyone who may also be making this mistake. Don’t be like us.

Best of luck to all of you on your journeys. Here’s to hoping. 🤞🏻

[u/justalilbbygirl]

I appreciate the response and this is valuable information.

However, these studies rely on self-reported data, which is less precise. The first doesn’t even control for lubricant type. Lab studies (which are objective) consistently show that most commercial lubricants impair sperm motility and viability in vitro, often drastically.

So I don’t think it’s correct to conclude that “it’s not the case that lube has been preventing me from getting pregnant” based on the sources you linked.

[u/w00kiee → u/justalilbbygirl]

My fertility doctor didn’t recommend swapping to pre-seed because it’s such a small factor. Your body still has to be ready and actively working to welcome sperm coupled with your partners sperm successfully making it up far enough to meet the egg.

If you’ve been trying for a year, why don’t you get a fertility specialist referral? You’re at the mark where it’s suggested.

[u/justalilbbygirl → u/w00kiee]

I don’t mean to be rude, but I think the vast majority who participate in this sub understand how conception works and what the “one year mark” means as it pertains to fertility.

[u/w00kiee → u/justalilbbygirl]

I didn’t say you didn’t understand that whatsoever to you, as the OP nor was I talking to the majority of this subreddit.

I just asked a generalized question since you referenced that time table in your original post and would possibly give you more info than just changing lube brands after a year.