# \#$%&\*(%!! How come no one told me K-Y kills sperm?!? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 9, 2011, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246 "2011-05-09T07:41:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246/21 "2011-05-10T14:59:49Z")
Lots of people are recommending it, but I haven’t seen it stated right out. Astroglide doesn’t have the same problem? It doesn’t affect the motility of sperm? I’m not trying to get pregnant, at all, but thought it’d be nice to see the confirmation. And although KY now has an entire line of lubricants made for sexy fun time, it originally was manufactured as a medical lubricant for inserting various catheters or instruments or whatnot. (Or sticking ribbons to baby heads.) People starting using it for sexy fun time, but the original formula wasn’t the best choice (and, I think, starts to break down or get sticky under friction and heat). There’s definitely better choices available. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246/22 "2011-05-10T15:06:51Z")
> [@Snickers](#): > > Lots of people are recommending it, but I haven’t seen it stated right out. Astroglide doesn’t have the same problem? It doesn’t affect the motility of sperm? > > I’m not trying to get pregnant, at all, but thought it’d be nice to see the confirmation. > . The Astroglide website says it can affect sperm motility, but is not spermicidal. I was not saying Astroglide is a better choice vis a vis sperm (I guess it is somewhat better if KY actually _kills_ them, and doesn’t only affect motility) I am just stunned that anyone would use “original” K-Y for sex purposes. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246/23 "2011-05-10T15:47:00Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > I knew about K-Y and we used Preseed instead. It works just as well. I’m sort of shocked you aren’t taking folic acid. Its pretty much THE main thing you do when trying to conceive and I thought it was common knowledge that you need to be taking it. Are you taking a prenatal? Folic acid made me barf so I never took it - while trying to conceive or being pregnant. I did try and eat things with high folic acid content. According to my reproductive endocronoligist and my OB later “don’t worry about it - if you barf if up, it isn’t doing any good to take it. Just eat spinich and breakfast cereal.” ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246/24 "2011-05-10T16:05:34Z")
> [@](#): > > Crisco also works dandily, and makes your baby come out smelling like freshly-baked cookies. Why do you think they refer to pregnancy as “got a bun in the oven”? ---
**Author:** ![tesseract](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@tesseract](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tesseract)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246/25 "2011-05-11T06:59:54Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > The Astroglide website says it can affect sperm motility, but is not spermicidal. > > I was not saying Astroglide is a better choice vis a vis sperm (I guess it is somewhat better if KY actually _kills_ them, and doesn’t only affect motility) I am just stunned that anyone would use “original” K-Y for sex purposes. According to my web research, Astroglide does the exact same thing that K-Y does. Kills them and/or affects motility. I think the reason Astroglide says it is not spermicidal is so people don’t use it as a contraceptive. I think you guys are confused about modern K-Y. It is just like Astroglide. It’s not “jelly.” I’ve never used the “original,” which I think is something in a tube. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246/26 "2011-05-11T19:40:16Z")
> [@simple\_homer](#): > > Ummmmm… do you take the Robitussin in the traditional way , or do you use it as a lubricant ? Are you implying that there’s a different way to take Robitussin and I’ve been doing it wrong all these years? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246/27 "2011-05-11T19:51:04Z")
Just remembered…I have absolutely no idea if this really works, but it’s fairly common in ttc communities and even books (Toni W. mentions it in _Taking Charge of Your Fertility_) to recommend using raw egg whites as lube. I’d suggest pasteurized eggs so you don’t risk salmonella up your hoo-ha, and let them come to room temperature first! May be easier to come by than specialized sperm friendly commercial lube. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246/28 "2011-05-11T20:58:17Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Crisco also works dandily, and makes your baby come out smelling like freshly-baked cookies. Don’t use Crisco! It’s _shortening_! ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246/29 "2011-05-11T22:13:19Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Don’t use Crisco! It’s _shortening_! Goddammit, if I find out I’m 5’3" because my parents used Crisco…probably better not to ask. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2011, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246/30 "2011-05-11T22:54:04Z")
> [@tesseract](#): > > I guess I have been in some denial about not getting pregnant so I have not done enough reading. That’s my excuse about the folic acid. I am taking it now, since I went to the drugstore after I read your post, thanks. 🙂 I am taking prenatals. And I am being monitored on the Clomid. I will have a blood test on Day 21 and I had one on Day 3. You’ve probably had this discussion with your doctor already, but if not you might also want to get your partner assessed as well. Male factor infertility is actually quite common (estimate up to 40% of infertility cases) and you taking Clomid won’t help a lot there. Also, word of warning, if you have polycystic ovaries Chlomid may make you release more than one egg at a time. My FS monitored me via ultrasound when on Chlomid and warned us not to attempt intercourse as we would be risking multiples. (Wouldn’t have mattered anyway, we needed ICSI in the end). ---
**Author:** ![tesseract](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@tesseract](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tesseract)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2011, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246/31 "2011-05-12T04:49:08Z")
> [@Girl\_From\_Mars](#): > > You’ve probably had this discussion with your doctor already, but if not you might also want to get your partner assessed as well. Male factor infertility is actually quite common (estimate up to 40% of infertility cases) and you taking Clomid won’t help a lot there. > > Also, word of warning, if you have polycystic ovaries Chlomid may make you release more than one egg at a time. My FS monitored me via ultrasound when on Chlomid and warned us not to attempt intercourse as we would be risking multiples. (Wouldn’t have mattered anyway, we needed ICSI in the end). Thanks. Yes we did discuss the male possibility and we will assess if necessary. I want to try two cycles on Clomid and no K-Y first. Thanks for eggwhites suggestion **WhyNot** - the sperm-friendly lube was easy to find, it’s at CVS Pharmacy and others. And thanks **manila** for suggesting the folic acid in the first place. And thanks all for other responses. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2011, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246/32 "2011-05-12T06:20:44Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Don’t use Crisco! It’s _shortening_! This post amuses me beyond all reason. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2011, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246/33 "2011-05-12T11:14:55Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Don’t use Crisco! It’s _shortening_! You win everything. +100000000 ---
**Author:** ![wipetheclock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b19c9b/32.png) [@wipetheclock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wipetheclock)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2011, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246/34 "2011-05-12T17:35:22Z")
> [@tesseract](#): > > I guess I have been in some denial about not getting pregnant so I have not done enough reading. That’s my excuse about the folic acid. I am taking it now, since I went to the drugstore after I read your post, thanks. 🙂 I am taking prenatals. Is it really necessary to take extra folic acid if you’re already taking prenatals? I would imagine prenatals universally include the recommended levels folic acid. ---
**Author:** ![classyladyhp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5ac83/32.png) [@classyladyhp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/classyladyhp)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2011, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246/35 "2011-05-12T22:47:51Z")
> [@wipetheclock](#): > > Is it really necessary to take extra folic acid if you’re already taking prenatals? I would imagine prenatals universally include the recommended levels folic acid. No. If you are taking prenatals you do not need to take extra folic acid. If you have a higher risk for having a baby with a neural tube defect then you need to take extra folic acid. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2011, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246/36 "2011-05-12T23:12:15Z")
> [@wipetheclock](#): > > Is it really necessary to take extra folic acid if you’re already taking prenatals? I would imagine prenatals universally include the recommended levels folic acid. Depends on the prenatals. Because so many women take folic acid separately, and too much is not a good thing, either (it can make it hard for your doctor to diagnose B12 deficiency, and may do damage we don’t know about at high levels), some prenatals have taken it out or reduced the level in their formula. Best thing to do is check the label. The CDC recommends women who are trying to conceive take in a minimum of 0.4mg (or 400mcg or ug) per day, and should not exceed 1mg per day from all sources, including food and supplements. > **[Recommendations for the Use of Folic Acid to Reduce the Number of Cases of...](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00019479.htm)** ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2011, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246/37 "2011-05-12T23:46:03Z")
If you take ibuprofen lay off it while you’re trying to conceive - it can make the egg not stick right or something. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246/38 "2011-05-13T03:05:02Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > If you take ibuprofen lay off it while you’re trying to conceive - it can make the egg not stick right or something. With all the posts about Crisco, my first thought was “well, I guess she sprays on [PAM](http://www.flickr.com/photos/andyburnfield/3443085090/).” :eek: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-k-y-kills-sperm/581246.md?page=1)