Egg whites for lube and conception?

[SweetErika]

I've done a fair amount of research and know egg whites are usually fine as a lubricant, especially when trying to conceive. They're the next best thing to natural fertile cervical fluid and a very pricey sperm-friendly lube.

However, I wondered if anyone here has actually used egg whites in this way, and if so, what were the results (how was it as a lube and/or did you conceive with their assistance)?

For those who haven't used egg whites, would you if you were trying to conceive or didn't have another safe lube on hand?

 

[M's girl]

Egg whites? Like... you break an egg and shift the white from the yellow and then use the white? I don't know.... if I needed the (extra) lubrication and it was proven somehow that it helped in the conceiving process I would consider it probably.

I'm not sure if I would like the smell and the idea. Never tried it but how does the egg white react to the friction and (more important) the warmth (heat)? It may sound silly but I would wonder if I would have scrambled egg (without the yolk) to eat afterwards...

 

[INeedLove]

ehh, I have never heard of using them.

I have been out of the infertility arena for 6 years but it was never mentioned there. I don't think I would use them. Actually, if your cervical mucus isn't conducive to sperm, there may be other remedies. My ex was told to take the cough syrup with guafenisin (sp?). It thinned his sperm so his motility improved.

I really, REALLY liked fertilethoughts.com as a supportive site for trying to concieve and then eventually my journey through infertility treatments. Super ladies there.

Feel free to PM me-

 

[misspihla]

Im not a chemist but with high school knowledge: doesnt egg whites have protein? Proteins will denaturate due friction and heat - that is how you actually can whip them to permanent foam... That is also why you are not supposed to pour egg whites in sink if you use only yolks.

 

[INeedLove]

Proteins will denaturate due friction and heat - that is how you actually can whip them to permanent foam...

Sorry, I can't resist and I'm claiming punch-drunkiness


WHY can't I stop thinking "Hair merangue pie"?????? (revenge of the nerds era)

 

[Cathleen]

Sorry, I can't resist and I'm claiming punch-drunkiness


WHY can't I stop thinking "Hair merangue pie"?????? (revenge of the nerds era)

Laughing here. The mental images I'm having are very odd indeed!

Erika, I've never heard of it either. For an OTC product I've heard Replens are good for conception.

Are you telling us something, Mrs. SE?

 

[NippleMuncher]

Definitely a new one for me too.

I'm not sure how well they'd work as a lube, because they dry quickly when exposed to air, and become sticky. Then there is the issue of bacteria, for years all I've ever heard is that you're not supposed to eat raw eggs. I can't think of the exact bacteria at the moment, but it's a common one, partly associated with raw chicken in general, partly due to the egg coming out of the chickens cloaca (chicken booty in layman's terms ).

If they can be used as a lube, I can understand how a natural protein based lube would be beneficial to conception, since the seminal fluid would not be subjected to man made, chemical base lubes. There may also be a Ph factor present in the whites that is beneficial/protective of the seminal fluid which helps it reach its final destination. Maybe the little swimmers just need a snack in mid journey?

If you don't mind sharing, it would be interesting to hear a little more about egg whites as a lube and conception aid. And to second Cathleen's query, may we look forward to a SW Jr.?

 

[SweetErika]

Egg whites? Like... you break an egg and shift the white from the yellow and then use the white? I don't know.... if I needed the (extra) lubrication and it was proven somehow that it helped in the conceiving process I would consider it probably.

I'm not sure if I would like the smell and the idea. Never tried it but how does the egg white react to the friction and (more important) the warmth (heat)? It may sound silly but I would wonder if I would have scrambled egg (without the yolk) to eat afterwards...

Yes, those egg whites. And there's no smell or odd reaction to friction or body heat - it basically reacts like normal, fertile lubricant in that it takes longer to dry (when there's enough of it) and holds up to friction really well.

ehh, I have never heard of using them.

I have been out of the infertility arena for 6 years but it was never mentioned there. I don't think I would use them. Actually, if your cervical mucus isn't conducive to sperm, there may be other remedies. My ex was told to take the cough syrup with guafenisin (sp?). It thinned his sperm so his motility improved.

I really, REALLY liked fertilethoughts.com as a supportive site for trying to concieve and then eventually my journey through infertility treatments. Super ladies there.

Feel free to PM me-

Thanks, I'll take a look at that site. I'm more interested in this as a sperm-friendly lube than a CM replacement/supplement, as I'm pretty sure mine's fine. I've been taking green tea extract to try to get as much as I can (because we've been using FAM to avoid) and stay healthy, but we'll check out the guafenisen if we have trouble.

Laughing here. The mental images I'm having are very odd indeed!

Erika, I've never heard of it either. For an OTC product I've heard Replens are good for conception.

Are you telling us something, Mrs. SE?

Yeah, the egg whites are funny, and, nope, I'm not sayin' nuttin'!

Except that we've just started to take away all barriers to having a little one for most of my cycles. We definitely don't want to jinx it by telling people we're officially trying, so we're not.

Definitely a new one for me too.

I'm not sure how well they'd work as a lube, because they dry quickly when exposed to air, and become sticky. Then there is the issue of bacteria, for years all I've ever heard is that you're not supposed to eat raw eggs. I can't think of the exact bacteria at the moment, but it's a common one, partly associated with raw chicken in general, partly due to the egg coming out of the chickens cloaca (chicken booty in layman's terms ).

If they can be used as a lube, I can understand how a natural protein based lube would be beneficial to conception, since the seminal fluid would not be subjected to man made, chemical base lubes. There may also be a Ph factor present in the whites that is beneficial/protective of the seminal fluid which helps it reach its final destination. Maybe the little swimmers just need a snack in mid journey?

If you don't mind sharing, it would be interesting to hear a little more about egg whites as a lube and conception aid. And to second Cathleen's query, may we look forward to a SW Jr.?

Bingo! It's the combination of the texture making it easy for the sperm to move, the pH, protein and lack of chemicals or substances that can harm sperm that make it very sperm-friendly.

Pre-seed, the commercial lube has some of the same characteristics, but I'm unwilling to pay around $20 for six applications. If egg white works just as well and is basically free, I don't see much of a reason to shell out that kind of money for something I may or may not use.

You're right, there is a very small risk of salmonella, as with just about any uncooked egg product, and people who are at higher risk for that or have egg allergies shouldn't use them, clearly, but we feel very comfortable with the odds of it being perfectly safe. Pasteurized egg whites are preferable, but I haven't seen them in a pure form in my local stores.

Toni Weschler, of Taking Charge of Your Fertility fame, advocates egg whites, as other professionals and couples they've worked for. Here are a few links for anyone who's interested:
http://www.tryingtoconceive.com/eggwhites.htm
http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/13/12/3351.pdf
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/2977.html?CFID=1701576&CFTOKEN=84154193
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/48/50.cfm

 

[Quoll]

Well you learn something new everyday, can't believe I never came across mention of this throughout all those years of infertility, unless of course I misunderstood when they said egg white mucus.

Does this change that age old conundrum about who came first?

 

[christian1971]

I never heard of that but wouldnt you have to worry more about salmonella from the egg? And the interaction between body fluids and what it may do to you internally?

Maybe I was wrong, just read this site about it?

http://www.tryingtoconceive.com/eggwhites.htm

Egg whites can provide a mucus-like environment
which is sperm friendly.
Take an egg out of the fridge
set it on the counter
for approximately 1 hour,
so it can reach room temp.
Before DTD,
crack open the egg
separate the yolk from the white
and insert the room temperature white
gently into your vagina
To prevent infection, be sure to insert
the egg white immediately.
After you crack open the egg
DO NOT leave it at
room temperature for more
than a few minutes.
I understand that
egg white is used in labs
for sperm storage!
Worried about bacteria?
It is the yolk
not the egg white that would
carry bacteria.

 

[NippleMuncher]

Very interesting in deed.

Thanks for sharing SweetE

 

[SubNebGuy]

Erika,

egg beaters (and several other companies) sell pure egg whites, that are pasteurized. no risk of salmonella with them.

 

[SweetErika]

Erika,

egg beaters (and several other companies) sell pure egg whites, that are pasteurized. no risk of salmonella with them.

Don't they often have colors and/or preservatives or other junk added to them?

To be honest, I'm not sure salmonella is worth worrying about; it's such a small chance, and we're not using a lot of whites or doing it frequently, so I might as well just wash any eggs well or put them into boiling water for 5 seconds before cracking them, rather than buy pasteurized whites.

 

[mrs.jeepman6]

Don't they often have colors and/or preservatives or other junk added to them?

To be honest, I'm not sure salmonella is worth worrying about; it's such a small chance, and we're not using a lot of whites or doing it frequently, so I might as well just wash any eggs well or put them into boiling water for 5 seconds before cracking them, rather than buy pasteurized whites.

I would be more worried about introducing a food into a warm and wet environment building bacteria than anything. It seems to me the human body would be the best incubator for a problem than anything so I don't know if I would do this until I had totally researched everything that COULD happen. It's probably just me but I have always been suseptible(?) to yeast infections. I have no true knowledge of this but would have to wonder is all.

 

[SweetErika]

I would be more worried about introducing a food into a warm and wet environment building bacteria than anything. It seems to me the human body would be the best incubator for a problem than anything so I don't know if I would do this until I had totally researched everything that COULD happen. It's probably just me but I have always been suseptible(?) to yeast infections. I have no true knowledge of this but would have to wonder is all.

That's a good point, although we tried it last night, and apart from my usual semen-related irritation, everything seems perfectly fine. Apparently it's the yolks that promote bacteria since there's more stuff in them, so maybe the whites aren't compatible with anything but salmonella (which usually comes from a contaminated shell, if I understand it correctly) and don't give the vagina's natural bacteria anything to feed on like things with sugar components do.

We'll keep a close eye on my pussy and let you guys know if anything goes awry though!

 

[INeedLove]

my usual semen-related irritation

Hey, wait a minute, you've read about hostile environments? If you get irritated from his sperm, maybe your cervical mucus is hostile to his sperm and therefore killing it before it can pass the cervix? If that's the case, insemination may be the best since it bypasses the vagina perse and is introduced past the cervix.

Just a thought...

 

[EJFan]

To be honest, I'm not sure salmonella is worth worrying about; it's such a small chance, and we're not using a lot of whites or doing it frequently, so I might as well just wash any eggs well or put them into boiling water for 5 seconds before cracking them, rather than buy pasteurized whites.

i'm pretty certain i read (in one of the links above) that the whites are bacteria-free... that bacteria only live in the yolk.

edit to add: oops... you already addressed this. i should read more posts before responding.

 

[Leah57]

Don't they often have colors and/or preservatives or other junk added to them?

To be honest, I'm not sure salmonella is worth worrying about; it's such a small chance, and we're not using a lot of whites or doing it frequently, so I might as well just wash any eggs well or put them into boiling water for 5 seconds before cracking them, rather than buy pasteurized whites.

Erika - All Whites by Papetti are just that... pasteurized egg whites with nothing else in them.

 

[TBKahuna123]

I can't wait to see my wife's reaction when I say, Maybe we should try egg whites tonight.

Chalk up one more thing I can't believe I learned from Lit!

 

[SweetErika]

I can't wait to see my wife's reaction when I say, Maybe we should try egg whites tonight.

Chalk up one more thing I can't believe I learned from Lit!

Well, we used the whites two nights in a row, going only with my natural lube last night (the decaf green tea extract seems to be improving my own eggwhite fluid dramatically after a few months, and we both took some mucinex/guafenisen, too), and everything seems fine, so I have to say it's a good, sperm-friendly lube for me at this point. Hopefully it'll improve my fertility window a bit by nurturing the little guys for longer, too.

I'll be thinking lots of fertile thoughts for you and the Mrs.!

 

[Reba67]

Raw carrots can help increase EWCM too.

Also, if you eat a lot of dairy, try cutting back (if not completely). I have no scientific basis for this, just a friend who swears that her infertility problems disappeared when she was dairy free due to her nursing child with dairy allergies.