Clinical Studies

This study reported that “Sperm toxicity was observed as shown by significant declines in motility over the 24-hr assay following incubation with Aquasonic, Felis and Replens at higher gel concentrations. Although Replens, even at only 0.83% v/v resulted in sperm toxicity. Pre-Seed alone was not toxic to sperm at any concentration, including the highest (8.3%). Three of the “nonspermicidal” gels were toxic to sperm, including Aquasonic Gel which is widely used for transvaginal ultrasound during ovulation. Pre-Seed alone did not cause sperm toxicity at any time or concentration. It is appropriate for use by patients trying to conceive or clinicians during fertility procedures, including facilitating vaginal insertion of ultrasound probes.”

Megan Andelloux, BS, AASECT, ACS

The author writes that “for patients who wish to maintain optimal fertility, there is only one lubricant currently on the market (Pre-Seed) that has been shown not to interfere with conception. ‘Even the water-soluble lubricants containing no spermicide, …have negative effects on sperm motility’ and thus may adversely affect conception.”

A quantitative approach was used to evaluate perceptual differences in vaginal products. The authors found that Pre-Seed was very slippery and smooth with less stickiness or rubberiness as compared to leading lubricant brands.

This study confirmed that the Pre-Seed formula is isotonic with a neutral pH. Pre-Seed’s formula was found to not cause harm to uterine or rectal cells in culture, whereas other water-based lubricants such as KY and Astroglide “disrupted” these cells.

Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in collaboration with the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

This consensus Practice Guideline for physicians suggests recommendations for patients to increase the chances of conception in normal healthy couples. Physicians are reminded that some vaginal lubricants may decrease fertility, based on their observed effects on sperm survival in vitro. A lubricant “such as Pre-Seed” with “no demonstrable adverse impact on semen parameters” is suggested for these patients.

See a summary of these ASRM Guidelines.

This article reviews conditions of vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse after breast cancer treatment. Pre-Seed is recommended as mild isotonic lubricant that does not cause irritation in these patients.

This study found the “The irritation potency (assessed by the mucus production) of the lubricants showed a significant, quadratic relationship with the product osmolality (P = 0.001; R (2) = 0.99). Femglide, a hypo-osmotic lubricant (32 mOsm/kg), caused a negative mucus production. (Pre-Seed), an iso-osmotic lubricant (316 mOsm/kg), caused no changes. Two moderately hyperosmotic lubricants, Replens and K-Y jelly (2143 and 2463 mOsm/kg), induced mild and moderate irritation, respectively. The highly hyperosmotic lubricant Astroglide (5848 mOsm/kg) resulted in severe irritation and tissue damage. Commonly used personal lubricants show a full range of mucosal irritation potential, which is related to product osmolality.”

This study found that percent sperm motility did not significantly differ between "controls and Pre-Seed, whereas FemGlide®, Replens®, and Astroglide® lubricants demonstrated a significant decrease in motility." There was also "no significant difference in percent DNA fragmentation index between the HTF controls and Pre-Seed, but a significant decline in sperm chromatin quality occurred with FemGlide® and K-Y Jelly®. Pre-Seed does not cause a significant decrease in progressive sperm motility or chromatin integrity in contrast to other lubricants used by couples."

This study reported that while trying to conceive “vaginal dryness negatively affected sexual intimacy for most couples: 11% always, 35% often, 42% sometimes, 9% rarely, 3% never. Vaginal dryness episodes also increased while TTC: 19% a lot, 57% some, 23% not at all. Although 30% knew not to use a lubricant while TTC, another 26% often or always used such products. Use by this later group included mostly that of KY^® (40%) and Astroglide^® (19%).

Only 20% of couples had ever discussed their dryness problem with a doctor. Of those that had, 75% of the doctors reiterated the sperm-toxic effects of lubricants. Rates of vaginal dryness in TTC couples appears to be as much as twice that seen in the general population.