Is Good Clean Love Fertility Friendly and Fibroids: What to Know
If you’re trying to conceive and also managing uterine fibroids, it’s smart to ask whether the products you use during intercourse could help or hinder your goals. One common question is whether “fertility-friendly” lubricants—such as those marketed by brands like Good Clean Love—are compatible with conception and safe for people with fibroids. Here’s what the evidence and trusted medical guidance say.
What “fertility-friendly” lubricant actually means
Not all personal lubricants are the same. Many standard lubricants can temporarily impair sperm movement (motility) or function, mainly due to their acidity or high osmolality (concentration of dissolved particles). That’s why clinicians often recommend avoiding typical lubricants when you’re trying to conceive unless the product is specifically designed and tested to be sperm-compatible.
In the United States, the FDA provides guidance for “personal lubricants and vaginal moisturizers” and outlines testing to support labeling claims such as “gamete, fertilization, and embryo compatible” or “for use by couples trying to conceive.” These tests assess parameters like sperm motility, vitality, DNA integrity, and embryo development in vitro. Products that meet these standards can be marketed as fertility-friendly or sperm-safe. Always look for language on the package that indicates FDA-cleared compatibility for couples trying to conceive.
Key takeaway: A fertility-friendly lubricant is one that has been tested to be compatible with sperm and early embryos and is labeled accordingly. If it doesn’t say so, assume it may not be sperm-safe.
Where Good Clean Love fits in
Good Clean Love sells several vaginal products, including lubricants. Some are everyday lubricants designed for comfort and vaginal pH support, and at least one product line is marketed specifically for use when trying to conceive. Because brand portfolios evolve, the most reliable way to confirm whether a specific Good Clean Love product is fertility-friendly is to:
- Check the packaging for phrasing such as “for use by couples trying to conceive” or “gamete, fertilization, and embryo compatible.”
- Look up the product in FDA resources (e.g., the 510(k) database) or on the company’s website for details on FDA clearance.
- Ask your clinician or fertility clinic what they recommend; many clinics maintain lists of sperm-compatible lubricants.
As a category, fertility-labeled lubricants are typically formulated to be isotonic (closer to the environment sperm encounter naturally) and non-spermicidal. They are not contraceptives and should not impair chances of conception when used as directed.
Fibroids 101: How they affect fertility and sex
Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) are benign growths of the muscle layer of the uterus. They’re common, especially in people in their 30s and 40s, and more prevalent in Black women. Most fibroids are asymptomatic, but they can cause heavy periods, pelvic pressure, pain with intercourse, and, depending on size and location, may affect fertility or pregnancy outcomes.
Fertility impact depends largely on fibroid type and location:
- Submucosal fibroids that distort the uterine cavity can reduce implantation and increase miscarriage risk.
- Intramural fibroids fully within the uterine wall may affect fertility if large (often discussed at ≥4–5 cm) or if they distort the cavity.
- Subserosal fibroids on the outer surface usually do not impair fertility directly.
Importantly, not every person with fibroids will have difficulty conceiving. Many conceive and carry pregnancies without intervention.
Do lubricants interact with fibroids?
There’s no evidence that personal lubricants cause fibroids, make them grow, or worsen fibroid-related symptoms systemically. Fibroids are hormone-responsive tumors influenced by estrogen and progesterone. Topical lubricants used externally or in the vaginal canal have minimal systemic absorption and do not change the hormonal landscape that drives fibroid growth.
Where lubricants can help is in comfort and sexual function. People with fibroids may experience dyspareunia (painful intercourse), pelvic pressure, or vaginal dryness, especially if they’ve been using hormonal treatments that suppress estrogen (e.g., GnRH analogs) or if pain has led to anticipatory tension. A high-quality, compatible lubricant can reduce friction and discomfort, potentially improving the frequency and quality of intercourse—which matters when timing sex around ovulation.
Bottom line: Fertility-friendly lubricants, including those marketed by reputable brands, do not treat fibroids and are not known to worsen them. Their role is comfort and sperm compatibility.
How to choose a lubricant when trying to conceive with fibroids
- Look for FDA-cleared fertility labeling. Wording such as “gamete, fertilization, and embryo compatible” or “for use by couples trying to conceive” indicates testing for sperm compatibility.
- Avoid products with spermicides. These are intended for contraception and can harm sperm.
- Consider osmolality and pH. Fertility-friendly products are typically closer to physiological conditions and designed not to impair sperm function. General-purpose lubricants may be too acidic or hyperosmolar.
- Use the smallest effective amount. Even with sperm-safe products, a thin layer is usually enough to reduce friction.
- If undergoing IUI/IVF, follow clinic instructions. Some programs specify which products are allowed during cycles.
Trying to conceive with fibroids: practical tips
- Know your ovulation window. Time intercourse to the two days before ovulation and the day of ovulation. If you need a lubricant, choose a sperm-compatible option during this window.
- Get an individualized assessment. If you have known fibroids, an ultrasound or saline sonohysterogram can clarify whether they distort the uterine cavity and whether removal (myomectomy) might improve fertility.
- Discuss medications and timing. Fibroid therapies like GnRH agonists/antagonists or oral combinations (e.g., relugolix–estradiol–norethindrone or elagolix–estradiol–norethindrone) can reduce bleeding and shrink fibroids but are not used while trying to conceive; contraception is typically recommended during treatment. Plan timelines with your clinician.
- Understand procedure trade-offs. Myomectomy can improve fertility in select cases, especially for submucosal fibroids, but it carries surgical risks and a small risk of uterine rupture in future pregnancy depending on the approach. Procedures like uterine artery embolization may relieve symptoms but can affect future fertility; discuss goals before choosing.
- Address other factors. Age, ovulation, semen parameters, BMI, smoking, and medical conditions also influence fertility. A comprehensive workup helps target the right interventions.
Safety notes and when to seek care
- Severe pain, heavy bleeding, or anemia should prompt evaluation regardless of fertility plans.
- Six to twelve months of trying without success (six months if you’re 35 or older) is a reasonable time to seek a fertility evaluation.
- Positive pregnancy test with significant pelvic pain warrants prompt care, both because of fibroid-related pain in pregnancy and to rule out other issues.
- If you’re unsure about a product’s labeling, verify on the FDA website or ask your clinician before use.
The takeaway
“Fertility-friendly” lubricants are designed and tested to be compatible with sperm and early embryos and can be used by couples trying to conceive. There’s no evidence that these products cause or worsen uterine fibroids. If you have fibroids, the more important considerations for fertility are size and location of the fibroids and your overall reproductive health plan. Choose a lubricant that is FDA-cleared for use when TTC, use it sparingly for comfort, and partner with your clinician to tailor fibroid management to your fertility goals.
Trusted sources and further reading
- FDA. Personal Lubricants and Vaginal Moisturizers: Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff. https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/personal-lubricants-and-vaginal-moisturizers
- NIH Office of Women’s Health (OASH). Uterine Fibroids. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/uterine-fibroids
- NICHD (NIH). How do uterine fibroids affect pregnancy and fertility? https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/uterine/conditioninfo/fertility
- MedlinePlus (NIH/NLM). Uterine Fibroids. https://medlineplus.gov/uterinefibroids.html
- ASRM Practice Committee. Optimizing natural fertility: A committee opinion (2022). Guidance on lubricant use in couples trying to conceive. https://www.asrm.org/practice-guidance/practice-committee-documents/optimizing-natural-fertility-a-committee-opinion-2022/
- ACOG. Uterine Fibroids FAQ. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/uterine-fibroids