When you’re trying to conceive, opt for a lubricant with the right pH balance. While typical vaginal pH levels falls between 3.8 and 4.5 (i.e. slightly acidic), optimal pH levels for sperm viability fall between 7 and 8.5 (i.e. an alkaline environment). During ovulation, vaginal pH levels move into the 7+ range (aka become more alkaline) to create a favorable environment for sperm movement and, of course, pregnancy. Conceptria falls around pH 7.25-7.8 to help set the stage in the right way.

Even if your daily go-to lubricants don’t contain spermicide, they can affect sperm movement. Conceptria sets the stage with a formula that not only helps create the perfect environment for the little guys but also helps keep your intimacy efforts comfortable and fun. Conceptria accomplishes this with a combination of elements – pH-balance, low osmolality, and biocompatibility testing – that mimic a fertile vaginal environment.

No matter how you go about your conception journey, remember to steer clear of ingredients that aren’t fertility friendly (i.e. parabens!) and grab a lubricant that’s made to help, not harm.

Osmolality is a number or range that show how dense or “full” of molecules something is. When you know a lubricant’s osmolality, you’ll know how well it will or won’t play with your body – in this case, vaginal fluids and surrounding tissue. Your body naturally works hard to keep molecules balanced –especially when something new like a lubricant is added to the mix.

Put simply, the closer a lubricant is to your intimate area’s natural osmolality levels, the more it plays well with your body! On the flipside, the farther a lubricant is from your
intimate area’s natural osmolality levels, the higher the risk for problems i.e. irritation, vaginal dryness, and even potential risk of infections.

Semen itself has an osmolality level of about 340 mOsm/kg and quality, fertility-friendly lubricants have osmolality levels that play well with natural vaginal fluids and don’t slow down sperm – Conceptria is 300-410 mOsm/kg.

Fertility lubricants like Conceptria fall into a special category of lubricants subject to extensive testing in order to achieve FDA clearance. The FDA tests to ensure these types of lubricants are 1.) safe for sperm, oocytes (eggs), and embryos and 2.), have a similar pH and viscosity as fertile-quality cervical mucus and semen.

In order to be labeled as “Fertility Friendly,” lubricants must be cleared by the FDA through extensive testing to ensure safety for sperm, oocytes, and embryos. Read Conceptria's lab test results.

Our lubricant is a clean, water-based formula that feels natural and silky for optimal glide that doesn’t feel goopy like other lubricants. It’s also easy to clean up and non-staining for clothes and sheets!

Parabens are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) – chemicals that can mess with the body’s endocrine system – so it’s no surprise that California and the EU banned parabens in cosmetic and beauty products. Researchers in more than one study linked parabens not only to decreased fertility (1) but also childbirth complications (2). This is why we went paraben free.

References

(1) Smith, Kristen W et al. “Urinary paraben concentrations and ovarian aging among women
from a fertility center.” Environmental health perspectives vol. 121,11-12 (2013): 1299-305. doi:10.1289/ehp.1205350

(2) Geer, Laura A et al. “Association of birth outcomes with fetal exposure to parabens, triclosan and triclocarban in an immigrant population in Brooklyn, New York.” Journal
of hazardous materials vol. 323,Pt A (2017): 177-183.doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.03.028

Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) is found in the best fertility-friendly lubricants for a reason! In Conceptria, it helps give the formula that silky, gel-like texture while also playing well with sperm.

When you’re trying to conceive, know that your partner’s body already produces fructose to help with conception, and small amounts in fertility lubricants are meant to enhance what the body naturally produces.

Semen is largely made up of a fluid produced by seminal vesicles – important glands in the male reproductive system. The fructose found in semen nourishes sperm cells and helps give them the energy needed for movement.

Conceptria is both unflavored and unscented as we firmly believe unnecessary ingredients don’t belong in a fertility lubricant. For your flavored, non-fertility lubricant needs, check out our other products!

This lubricant may be eligible with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or a health reimbursement account (HRA). Lubricants reimbursement is not eligible with a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA). Check with your FSA/HSA benefits coordinator for reimbursement requirements.