Lubricants for women: for conception and pregnancy planning

Planning a pregnancy is a very responsible process that requires patience and strength from people who decide to become parents. Indeed, recently, cases have become more frequent when young families try to conceive a baby for a long period of time, but nothing works out for them, while doctors do not diagnose them with infertility, because their reproductive system is normal. What is the problem then? In fact, identifying the root cause is quite simple. It is enough to analyze yourself, your sexual partner and your general lifestyle. Among the negative factors that can have a negative impact on the ability to conceive a child are excess weight or, conversely, anorexia of one of the spouses, bad habits, poor environment, unhealthy lifestyle (excessive workload and no normal rest). Because of this, sperm become inactive, and therefore do not survive until they reach the egg, and therefore die in the acidic environment of the vagina.

Men who are faced with this problem are prescribed to follow a diet, exercise and avoid tobacco and alcohol. Positive spermogram results can be obtained within a few months if all the above instructions are followed. But if, in parallel with them, women use the intravaginal drug “Aktifert”, then the dream of pregnancy will be able to come true.

Aktifert gel analogues

Of course, Aktifert is not the only remedy that people can use to increase their chances of conceiving. There are many others that differ from Aktifert in price and composition. But we want to focus your attention on such a drug as Ginofit.

Gynofit is an intimate gel containing levulinic and p-anisic acids, hydroxyethylcellulose and excipients. It affects the acidic environment of the vagina, reducing its level, and also helps with insufficient natural mucus. The price of Ginofit is two times lower than Aktifert, although in terms of effectiveness and methods of application it is no different from it. However, Ginofit has more contraindications. It should not be used not only in case of individual intolerance to the components of the drug, but also in the presence of damage to the internal genital organs, infections or neoplasms. Accordingly, it is not suitable for new mothers who have experienced childbirth. It should not be used by girls who have not reached puberty. In addition, those who use Gynofit will have to wear pads for a while, since it promotes the production of heavy vaginal discharge.
There is another very beneficial analogue of Aktifert - douching with soda, which changes the acidity in the vagina in the same way as Aktifert gel.

You will probably think, why spend several hundred rubles if you can get by with regular soda. But, firstly, the solution for douching with soda still needs to be properly prepared. This should be done according to this recipe:

Pour boiled water into a glass.
Dissolve half a teaspoon of soda in it.
Cool the liquid to 40°C.
The douching procedure should be carried out within a week during the period of ovulation.

Secondly, due to douching with soda, problems may arise - vaginal dryness, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and even cramps. Therefore, before saving and denying yourself the purchase of Aktifert, think about your health. After all, you will have to spend much more money if there is a need for treatment due to douching with soda.

Aktifert Andro for men

The problems of male infertility are no less acute than female infertility. Due to the pathology of sperm production and prostate secretion, many men suffer. Aktifert Andro tablets qualitatively increase fertility and improve sperm counts.

Composition of the tablet:

Myo-Inositol;
N-Acetylcysteine;
L-Carnitine;
L-Arginine;
Vitamin E;
Selenium;
Zinc;
Folic acid.

The combination of bioactive substances promotes high-quality synthesis of proteins that make up sperm. the formula also works to increase the volume of seminal fluid, which ensures the active movement of sperm. L-Carnitine provides sperm with energy, they gain vitality and the ability to move. Zinc is a very important trace element for men, as it ensures the health of the prostate gland and takes an active part in sperm formation. Folic acid increases the number of sperm and improves their dynamics.

New sperm mature for at least three months, so the minimum course of taking the drug is 90 days.

Indications

Indications for use:

all men before planning conception to improve sperm quality;
pathologies in the prostate gland that provoke the production of low-quality sperm;
decreased sperm motility;
sperm gluing;
decrease in total sperm count;
anatomically abnormal sperm;
for donating biomaterial before IVF;
problems with conception.

The drug is also successfully used in the complex treatment of varicocele and prostatitis. The formula helps fight excess weight due to a sedentary lifestyle and constant smoking. However, a man must reconsider his life principles and change his lifestyle. It is necessary to exclude foods that are harmful to health.

If a man refuses to submit biomaterial for a spermogram, it is recommended to take a course of Aktifert Andro to improve sperm quality before conception.

The drug Aktifert is sold in pharmacies without a doctor's prescription, as it is not hazardous to health.

How to take soluble tablets correctly? You need to put one piece in a glass of drinking water and take it in the morning on an empty stomach or an hour after breakfast. How many tablets are recommended to take during the day? You need to check the number of pieces with your doctor, because Aktifert Andro can be taken one tablet per day, and also increase the dosage to three units per day. It all depends on the analysis of the man’s spermogram.

However, for a confident conception it is necessary not only for the man to take pills, but also for the woman to use the Aktifert gel lubricant to normalize the acid-base balance in the vagina. If the vaginal fluid is viscous and too acidic for sperm, they will not be able to meet the egg. Therefore, lubricant support is desirable.

Vaginal lubricants: description of varieties

There are the following types of intimate gel-lubricants for women:

Water based

These funds are especially popular. Their main component – water – is hypoallergenic. Water-based lubricants for women are compatible with condoms, do not stain bedding, are not sticky and are easily washed off with water after sexual intercourse. Their only drawback - relatively fast adsorption - is easy to deal with: you just need to periodically apply a small amount of lubricant during sexual intercourse as it dries.

When choosing a water-based lubricant, it is advisable to clarify in advance whether it contains glycerin. According to some studies, this substance in combination with water can disrupt the normal microflora of the vagina and cause the development of a yeast infection.

Silicone based

The main component of such products is silicone oil, which provides good glide, a long-lasting effect due to slow absorption and the ability to have sex in water. Thanks to easy sliding, they can be used for anal sex. However, silicone lubricants are difficult to wash off. They are also not compatible with many sex toys made from silicone.

What kind of drug is this

"Aktifert" is inserted into the vagina 10-15 minutes before PA (sexual intercourse). This is a lubricant of plant origin, it contains plant polysaccharides that are obtained from Arabinogalactan larch. These substances stimulate sperm activity, making them faster and more viable. There are no synthetic components, which makes the product safe.

Functions

Gel "Aktifert" works in several directions at once:

Stimulates sperm activity, improves their motility;
Normalizes vaginal acidity, which helps treat vaginosis;
Creates favorable conditions for fertilization to occur.

"Aktifert" can be used as one of the drugs for complex treatment of infertility. The gel can be used as a therapeutic effect for oligozoospermia (decreased sperm count) and asthenozoospermia (decreased concentration of active sperm), to increase the life span of sperm.

How to use?

The use of the drug to increase the likelihood of conception is recommended during the period of ovulation. The package contains two tubes of gel. The first is best used two days before ovulation, and the second - directly on this day. It is important to know that the drug is not used more than twice a month.

Instructions for use explain how to properly insert the gel for conception:

Remove the seal from the tube;
Lie on your back;
Insert the tip into the vagina and introduce the entire volume of gel;

You can begin sexual intercourse after 10-15 minutes. Until this moment, you should not get up so that the gel does not leak out.

The description says that the product can be used to treat cytolytic vaginosis. In this case, the sequence of actions is similar. The only difference is that the drug is administered before bedtime.

To increase the likelihood of pregnancy, it is recommended to lie down for 10-15 minutes with your legs raised up (make a “birch tree”).

Contraindications

A standard contraindication is the presence of allergic reactions to the components of the drug. No other contraindications are mentioned. It is believed that this is a safe product that is approved for use even during pregnancy and lactation (for vaginosis).

To make sure there is no allergic reaction, it is recommended to apply a small amount of the product to yourself and your spouse on the mucous membranes and wait 8 hours. If no discomfort occurs during this time, then the drug can be used.

Release form of the drug

The gel is sold in a paper package that contains two tubes of Aktifert gel. Each of them is equipped with a special nozzle, which provides convenient administration of the drug into the vagina. Thanks to it, the product is introduced deeply enough, which does not allow it to leak out.

Each tube contains 5 ml of helium substance. The substance has a yellowish tint due to the content of a complex of plant polysaccharides. The tube is intended for single use only, and its volume contains the necessary single dose for introducing the drug into the vagina.

Tips for choosing a feminine lubricant

Due to hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, after the birth of a baby and during lactation, some women suffer from a lack of natural lubrication. Are there maternity and nursing lubricants that are safe for both mom and baby?

Lubricant for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding should not contain fragrances, anesthetics and spermicides, as they are contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. At this time, it is especially recommended to pay attention to products containing plant extracts, as they are safe for the health of mother and child.

For example, the product may contain essential oils (tea tree, sage), plant extracts (mallow, licorice, aloe, chamomile, string). Also, safe lubricants for pregnant women may include vitamins A and E, panthenol, lactic and hyaluronic acids. However, even if you are completely confident in the safety of the chosen product, you should consult a gynecologist before using it.

To use the product, you need to squeeze out a small amount of gel from the tube (about the size of a pea), carefully apply it to the skin of the labia, perineum, vestibule and mucous membrane. After sexual intercourse, rinse off any remaining product with warm water (if you are using a water-based lubricant, you don’t have to rinse it off).

To prevent this product from causing problems such as dryness, allergies and microflora disturbances, use only high-quality lubricant. How to choose the right lubricant for women?

Check the acidity level of the product. The vaginal pH normally ranges from 3.8 to 4.5. Choose intimate gels containing lactic acid that will not disturb the natural balance.
Study the composition of the gel. It should not contain ingredients that can upset the balance of vaginal microflora. For example, this applies to sugar, which is sometimes included in intimate products, and to parabens, which, according to some data, can cause cancer. An additional advantage of the lubricant may be the presence of various softening components included in its composition - allantoin, panthenol, aloe extract, etc.
If you are prone to unusual immune system reactions, check for any allergenic substances. The cause of allergies to lubricants in women may be individual intolerance to essential oils.
Do not purchase intimate gels of unknown origin from dubious points of sale, as well as products that do not have a translated composition and have not been certified in the Russian Federation. It is better to buy feminine lubricant at a pharmacy or specialty store.

If you want to use a high-quality water-based vaginal lubricant, pay attention to the Ginocomfort intimate gel lubricant. The product contains active ingredients that help improve the quality of sexual intercourse and improve women's intimate health:

Hyaluronic acid deeply moisturizes the mucous membrane, improves its tone and improves tissue regeneration.
Lactic acid maintains vaginal pH at physiological levels.
Panthenol relieves irritation and accelerates the healing process of microtraumas, if any.
Vitamin E has a beneficial effect on the condition of mucous membranes and skin.

Like all Ginocomfort products, intimate lubricant gel was developed by specialists of the pharmaceutical company VERTEX, and has a full list of necessary certificates authorizing its use.

Intimate lubricant is sold in adult stores, pharmacies, supermarkets, etc. Of all the variety of products, it is difficult to say for sure which is better. Many products can be purchased at pharmacies, while better ones are sold online. It is important to consider the recommendations to select the appropriate lubricant.

Consider the compatibility of specific products with comfort toys if you plan to use them during intimacy. Water-based and silicone-based lubricants do not harm rubber and latex, while oil-based lubricants can damage these materials.

Compound

High-quality lubricants consist of substances that are safe for intimate use. The main thing is that the base is natural and does not provoke an allergic reaction. There are hypoallergenic products that are suitable for people with sensitive skin.

Main component

Silicone lubricants are the most expensive, but of high quality. They provide slip, but can stain laundry. Oily mixtures are more suitable for massage; they stain things a lot and have a short shelf life. Water-based lubricants are aimed at moisturizing, are quickly absorbed, and are used daily (if necessary). Not all formulations are compatible with condoms, please keep this in mind.

Price policy

High-quality intimate products include natural and, for the most part, hypoallergenic ingredients. Therefore, the cost of a good lubricant cannot be low. The average range is 250–1600 rubles per 50 ml bottle.

FOR MARRIED COUPLES

Here's expert advice for couples who are starting to worry about their difficulty conceiving.

Wait 1 YEAR. If you're under 28, have a great sex life, and don't have anything in your medical history that suggests you might have fertility problems, our experts say keep trying for a year.

“About 60% of couples conceive within 6 months and 90% within a year,” says Dr. Mitchell Levine, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Women's Health in Cambridge, Massachusetts. “As you get older, your fertility naturally decreases somewhat.”

What types of lubricants are there?

All lubricants can be divided into three groups: 1. Fat based. Containing refined mineral and vegetable oils. Disadvantage: oil lubricants are incompatible with the latex from which condoms are made. Advantages: high viscosity. 2. Water based. Inexpensive gels are attractive because they can be used with condoms, vaginal exercise equipment, and sex toys.

They do not leave deep marks on clothes and bedding. Disadvantage - the water base tends to dry out quickly, and for this reason, some couples have to reapply the lubricant.3. Silicone based. This waterproof product provides perfect glide even in the pool or shower.

Disadvantages - relatively high cost, marks on underwear and incompatibility with silicone intimate toys. When choosing a lubricant, you should decide on a specific purpose: • an stimulating lubricant is suitable to enhance erection; • to eliminate pain - a lubricant containing an anesthetic; • to protect against unwanted pregnancy – spermicidal gels;

• to relieve irritation – a moisturizing lubricant;• to prolong sexual intercourse – a lubricant-prolongator;• to protect microflora from pathogenic bacteria – a lubricant with an antiseptic;• special lubricants with a deodorizing, analgesic and moisturizing effect are intended for anal sex;• for oral sex in The lubricant contains jelly-like flavoring additives.

Mechanism of action of the drug

"Aktifert", reviews of which indicate its effectiveness, increases the vital activity of sperm during the fertilization of the egg. Normalizes pH and omolarity. As a result, sperm more successfully overcome the acidic environment of the vagina, become more active and vital, which increases the chances of a successful, effective conception.

The acidity of the gel is optimal for the female body. This feature allows you to remove the signs of cytolic vaginosis, which is similar in all its manifestations to thrush - burning, white discharge, itching. Usually, when a mask is taken for analysis, the absence of candida is detected, which completely eliminates the occurrence of thrush.

A similar situation is observed in women during pregnancy due to an increase in the level of glycogen in the vaginal environment, causing an increase in the content of lactoflora. This disease is often the reason why a long-awaited pregnancy does not occur.

Rules for using the gel for pregnant women

The expectant mother should use Aktifert according to the instructions:

Break off the seal on the tip of the tube.
Insert the tip of the tube into the vagina while lying on your back.
Squeeze the tube and squeeze out its contents completely.
Remove the tip of the tube from the vagina.
Throw away the tube as it is disposable.

To treat cytolytic vaginosis, Aktifert gel is administered two days in a row, one tube at a time, and always in the evening, so that the medicine remains in the vagina until the morning. If necessary, you can repeat the course, but not earlier than in a month.

In a horizontal position, the gel will not leak out of the vagina

Bottom line

Summarizing all of the above, let's summarize:

Aktifert is a gel that is produced on the basis of natural ingredients: arabinogalactan polysaccharide, glycerin and deionized water. This composition makes the product as safe as possible.
Gel lubricant is used intravaginally by inserting into the vagina on the eve of sexual intercourse or before bedtime. It all depends solely on the purpose for which Aktifert is prescribed.
The drug has a clear list of indications for use for which it will be most effective. Therefore, you should not self-medicate by prescribing any remedy for yourself. Only a doctor can give advice and prescribe one or another drug that can help in each individual case.

Have you ever heard of such drugs? Perhaps you or someone you know has already been prescribed this type of medication? Share with us and our readers interesting, and for some, perhaps even useful information, by leaving your comments at the end of the publication.

Contraindications

The medicine is absolutely harmless and does not cause side effects. Obstetricians-gynecologists recommend it even during the period of bearing a child and during lactation when a woman develops characteristic manifestations caused by excessive sugar production. When administered, the Aktifert gel lubricant does not leak out and does not cause any unpleasant sensations. Reviews confirm its therapeutic effectiveness.

You have decided to become parents. A few months ago, in a celebratory mood, you threw away condoms, spermicidal creams and the old lady diaphragm. Since then you have been enjoying sex without any precautions.

But here's a small problem: these lovemakings do not produce children. And it starts to bother you. How long does it take to conceive? And what can you do to help nature?

Gynecologist's review

We asked several questions to obstetrician-gynecologist Elena Artemyeva:

— How does “Aktifert” work?

— “Aktifert” is not a dietary supplement, but an official medication. Clinical studies have proven that high molecular weight polysaccharides in the Aktifert gel increase sperm motility. Due to this, favorable conditions are created for pregnancy.

— Is the gel only suitable for healthy couples?

— There is evidence that Aktifert helps increase a couple’s chances of conceiving by about 30%. Moreover, both in a healthy couple and in spouses who are undergoing treatment. For example, if ovulation stimulation is used for polycystic ovary syndrome, it is recommended to use a gel to increase the chances of conception. With Aktifert there is a greater chance that sperm will reach a mature egg. If a man has problems (for example, a small number of motile sperm), then the chances of conception are greater due to the fact that healthy sperm can effectively reach the egg.

— There is an opinion that “Aktifert” helps weak sperm to fertilize an egg. Does this mean the child will be born weak?

— If the sperm fertilizes the egg, the pregnancy is not interrupted, the fetus develops normally, which means the child has every chance of being born healthy.