The mothers who believe ‘fertility gel’ helped them get pregnant
After learning that she might never be able to have a child, rebecca Barley was willing to try anything that might improve her chances.
rebecca, 22, suffered a miscarriage two years ago. She explains: ‘ the pregnancy was a surprise, but we were absolutely delighted — and griefstricken when I lost the baby. then I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and was told this would make conceiving again harder.’
the disappointment made her and partner Benjamin, 25, who both work in accounts, realise how much they wanted to start a family.
‘I bought an ovulation kit and we hoped the doctors were wrong. But ten months on, I still wasn’t pregnant. It was too early to ask the GP about fertility tests, so I looked on fertility forums online for something that might help.’
rebecca, from Leicestershire, learned about a fertility gel called Conceive Plus, which promised to improve her chance of becoming pregnant.
the gel is designed for women to use as a lubricant during sex. Its makers claim that it gives a man’s sperm a boost by creating the ideal environment for them to reach the woman’s egg.
‘We tried it just three times that first month … and my next period was late. We were beyond thrilled. Benjamin had got so used to me showing him the negative pregnancy tests that he refused to believe he was seeing two lines on this one. We’d wanted it for so long.
‘Maybe it was the gel, maybe it was just our time. But I firmly believe the gel was the key to our success.’
rebecca and Benjamin welcomed their little girl Mila to the world in March, weighing 6 lb 4 oz. ‘And she’s been perfect ever since,’ says rebecca.
for the one-in-seven UK couples who struggle to have a baby, fertility treatment can be time- consuming, complex and terribly expensive. Anything that might improve their odds without ruining their finances can seem like a godsend.
Certainly, a growing number of women — many of whom post enthusiastically on online forums such as the ones rebecca visited — are convinced that fertility gels such as Conceive Plus have helped them to become pregnant.
But some experts are concerned that the wrong gels may reduce your chances of conceiving. So what evidence is there, and how do these gels work? ERICA Ghasim is one satisfied customer. the 39-year-old and her husband Gabriel, 29, a building contractor, had been trying for a baby for five years since suffering a miscarriage in October 2010.
‘I became convinced we had a problem or that I was too old,’ says the manicurist from Llandovery in Wales. ‘I went to the doctor many times, but I was never referred to a fertility specialist, it was so frustrating. I was sceptical a lubricant could help at first, but tried to keep a positive mind.’
erica had tried everything to boost her fertility, from vitamin supplements to ovulation kits and stress-relieving herbal teas. She used t he gel f or j ust t wo consecutive days, between Christmas and New Year 2015.
‘On the second occasion, I felt a warmth in my belly and I just knew it had worked this time,’ she says. ‘I couldn’t wait and took a pregnancy test a day before my period was due.’
the test was positive. ‘I repeated it five times before I allowed myself to believe it,’ she laughs. ‘On a recent midwife appointment, we heard the heartbeat for the first time and both burst into tears. On our next scan we’re hoping to find out our baby’s sex — I feel it’s a girl. I’m due on September 18 and we can’t wait.’
there’s no doubting t he emotional power of erica’s story. But how are these gels supposed to work?
existing fertility gels, such as Conceive Plus and Pre-Seed, are found in pharmacies or supermarkets. they are designed to be used during sex in place of lubricants, such as K-Y Jelly, which may upset the pH balance of the vagina or even damage sperm because of the preservatives and stabilisers they contain.
the fertility gels claim to have two effects. first, to increase moisture levels in the vagina, making it easier for sperm to travel up to the cervix. Second, to optimise the pH, or acid balance, of the vagina to increase sperm’s chances of survival — the vagina is naturally acidic and hostile to alkaline sperm. Of 200 million sperm released in one ejaculation, only 200 will make it to the egg. So by prolonging sperm life, chances of pregnancy may be increased.
But some experts question whether the gels can live up to the high hopes of the women using them. Professor Geeta Nargund, medical director of Create fertility, a chain of specialist clinics, says they may help, but only for certain women: ‘the only use for products such as these are in women who need a lubricant because they have vaginal dryness.
‘those women will benefit from a gel that has no harmful effect on sperm motility and f unction. Others may not.’
fertility expert Nick rainefenning, medical director at Nurture fertility in Nottingham, warns against using anything that is not scientifically proven: ‘We don’t advise the use of gels in any of our fertility clinics or IVf units.
‘ there’s evidence that when mixed with se men during intercourse, lubricants may cause less sperm to be able to move or cause the sperm to move more slowly. there’s also a worry that lubricants could damage sperm DNA.’
A 2014 study measured the effect on sperm function of 11 lubricants, including some that claimed to boost fertility. It found that two — Pre-Seed and Conceive Plus — improved ‘motility’, a measure of how much sperm moves. All the others had a detrimental effect. Nonetheless, others in the medical community insist that the gels do have their uses.
Dr fiona richards, a GP practising in Barnsley, says: ‘for a couple t r yi ng t o achieve a pregnancy, every month they don’t is increasingly frustrating. As well as giving them lifestyle advice, I’d be happy to suggest products such as this that may increase their chances.’
Meanwhile, the makers of fertility gels are working hard to prove that they can make a difference.
the l atest brand to hit the market — a £12.49 gel available in Boots called fertileCheck — says it can back up its claims with clinical trials.
the product’s Sperm Motility Index (SMI) was measured — that is, how much it aided sperm’s movement. An SMI of 0.75 or lower is classed as toxic to sperm, while any higher figure may help boost sperm activity. fertileCheck had an SMI of 0.99, higher than all other commercially available products. Pre- Seed, a popular fertility gel only available online, has an SMI score of 0.93. Of
COUrSe, what happens in the Petri dish isn’t the same as the human body — a 2012 study found women who used lubricants of any kind conceived at the same rate as those who did not. Above all, experts warn that women should not turn to fertility gels as an alternative to seeking medical help.
‘ If women are experiencing dryness, it’s important to investigate why ,’ Nick rainefen ningcaut ions .‘ there could be a hormonal or bacterial cause that needs addressing.’
Professor Nargund agrees. ‘A gel isn’t going to help if you have blocked fallopian tubes, you’re not ovulating regularly or you have endometriosis, for example.’
Still, for women who desperately want to have a baby, such a cheap and readily available helping hand can be attractive.
Serena edwards, a project manager from Devon, and husband Dan, 43, a service engineer, started trying for a baby just over a year ago.
‘I was afraid I might struggle to fall pregnant,’ she says. ‘ At 35, I knew my age might count against me. And six years ago, I was involved in a serious car accident. I didn’t know how much damage I’d sustained inside.’
When a pregnant friend recommended Conceive Plus fertility gel, she decided to give it a go — and fell pregnant within two months. today, Serena and Dan are proud parents to gorgeous baby Jackson, who’s 12 weeks old.
‘We couldn’t be happier,’ she says. ‘Jackson is amazing. He’s a complete charmer.’ Serena has recommended Conceive Plus to friends and, although she’s aware of the doubts of many doctors, wouldn’t hesitate to use it again for baby number two. ‘ Of course, we can’t say it definitely helped, but I think there’s a good chance it did,’ she says.