Does coconut oil kill sperm?

Coconut oil has recently become a very popular choice for people when it comes to cooking and other uses. Also, many food manufacturers have added coconut oil to their products, such as fried foods, sweets, shampoos, smoothies, and even coffee.

Coconut oil is even used as a sex lubricant by some people. However, there are some concerns that using coconut oil as a sex lubricant can kill your sperm. Is this actually true? Does coconut oil kill sperm?

Or can coconut oil be used as a contraceptive? Find out in this article.

Does coconut oil kill sperm?

If you are thinking of using coconut oil to kill sperm, then it implies using coconut oil as a contraceptive. The topic of using coconut oil as a contraceptive has been debated for some time now.

Some school of thought believes that coconut oil can kill sperm and hence prevent pregnancy. However, as it stands now, there isn’t much scientific evidence to support this claim.

A study published in the journal Contraception reported that coconut oil was effective for killing sperm in a controlled laboratory environment. Since the environment for the study was tightly regulated, it is possible that it is not a true reflection of how coconut oil behaves in the body.

However, there is some form of evidence that suggests that coconut oil may interfere with the function and movement of sperm. This action could then potentially prevent pregnancy since the sperm finds it difficult to reach and fertilize the ovum.

Notwithstanding the point above, it still isn’t clear to what extent coconut oil may impact fertility or the likelihood of pregnancy. This means that you cannot guarantee that using coconut oil will kill sperm and prevent pregnancy.

Using coconut oil as a contraceptive also carries some potential risks and drawbacks. It is not a reliable method of birth control and may not provide adequate protection against unintended pregnancy.

It is also important to consider that coconut oil is not regulated by the FDA as a contraceptive and may not have undergone the same level of safety testing as other birth control methods.

Is coconut oil safe as a lubricant?

As mentioned earlier, the FDA hasn’t approved coconut oil for any of such uses and therefore their safety in such use cases cannot be guaranteed.

With that said, since it is an oil it stands a chance of being used as a lubricant.

A potential benefit associated with using coconut oil as a lubricant has to do with the fact that it is a natural product and may cause less irritation to people who are sensitive to some commercial lubricants.

It cannot however be suitable for everyone and may also pose a risk of allergic reactions in some individuals.

Also, when using any oil as a lubricant, you have to ensure that they are compatible with the types of condoms you use. Coconut oil may not be compatible with all types of condoms.

Oil-based lubricants can weaken latex condoms and make them more prone to breaking, so it is important to use a water-based lubricant if you are using condoms as a form of contraception.

Other potential uses for coconut oil in fertility and reproductive health

Coconut oil has been suggested to have potential benefits for fertility and reproductive health beyond its potential use as a contraceptive (which we discussed earlier).

Here are a few potential uses for coconut oil in this context:

1. Vaginal health: Some people believe that coconut oil can help to improve vaginal health by maintaining pH balance and preventing infections. However, it is important to note that coconut oil is not a proven treatment for vaginal infections and may not be suitable for all people.
2. Hormonal balance: Some people believe that coconut oil may help to balance hormones and support fertility. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support this claim and more research is needed to understand the potential role of coconut oil in hormonal balance.
3. Traditional and alternative fertility treatments: Coconut oil has been used in traditional and alternative fertility treatments in some cultures. For example, some people believe that coconut oil can be used to support conception and pregnancy by improving the quality of cervical mucus and supporting hormone balance. However, it is important to note that these claims are not backed by scientific evidence and that coconut oil should not be used as a replacement for medical treatment or advice.

It’s important to note that the potential uses for coconut oil in fertility and reproductive health are largely unproven and should be approached with caution.

Health benefits of coconut oil

Coconut oil has other health benefits you need to know about. Let’s take a look at some of the popular health benefits of coconut oil.

Lowers stress

Antioxidant properties may exist in virgin coconut oil. It seemed to lessen exercise- and cold-related stress in a mouse research. Virgin coconut oil, according to researchers, may be effective in treating some forms of depression.

Improves hair

Additionally, coconut oil can shield hair from harm. For example, one study found that because coconut oil deeply penetrates hair strands, it boosts their strength and flexibility to stop them from breaking under tension.

Similarly, another study discovered that coconut oil strengthens hair by nourishing strands and reducing breakage.

The penetration and filling of the hair shaft by coconut oil may help keep other potentially hazardous elements out of the hair. In turn, especially for those who use coconut oil wisely, this might prevent hair damage.

For instance, if someone is about to swim in a chlorinated pool, they can preserve their hair with coconut oil and lessen the amount of chlorine that gets into it.

Coconut oil may similarly shield hair from the harm caused by air pollution.

Does coconut oil make hair grow and is it healthy?

May improve the health of the skin

There are other uses for coconut oil outside cooking and baking. A lot of people use it cosmetically to enhance the condition and appearance of their skin.

According to , coconut oil can increase the moisture level of dry skin. Additionally, it might enhance the skin’s ability to retain moisture and defend against aggressors such as allergies, pollutants, and pathogenic agents.

In fact, a recent found that putting 6-8 drops of virgin coconut oil on your hands and leaving them alone overnight may be a good method to stop the dry skin brought on by routine usage of alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Also, it can the severity of atopic dermatitis’ mild to severe symptoms, a chronic skin condition marked by skin inflammation and deficiencies in skin barrier function.

Could promote fat burning

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), a kind of saturated fat, are abundant in coconut oil.

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), such as those in coconut oil, are being investigated by scientists for possible health advantages.

The consumption of MCTs, for instance, may enhance the number of calories your body burns, according to some As a result, it might support weight loss.

However, there is currently insufficient proof to conclude that consuming coconut oil alone will enhance calorie expenditure.

Possibility of antibacterial effects

Coconut oil’s MCT content, notably lauric acid, gives it antibacterial and antifungal effects. About 50% of the MCTs in coconut oil are made up of the fatty acid lauric acid.

It may have antimicrobial properties against pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, and Helicobacter pylori, according to .

Lauric acid may have bacteriostatic properties, according to . Without really destroying the bacteria, this chemical stops them from growing.

Additionally, it might function as a bactericidal agent, which kills some bacteria. It might also stop the development of microbes that harm plants.

Destroying candida

Coconut oil was found to be effective against Candida albicans (C. albicans) in an in vitro investigation, indicating that it might be used to treat candida.

The extract’s ability to act as a barrier and its anti-inflammatory characteristics may be to blame for this. However, since it is not fermented, this is not the same as drinking ordinary coconut oil.

Prevention of liver disease

In a 2017 study, rats with liver illness either consumed coconut oil or a high-glucose diet without it.

After 4 weeks, individuals who drank coconut oil showed healthier liver function measurements than those who did not. This implies that some components of coconut oil may assist in liver protection.

Dental Health

The significance of oil pulling for dental health is covered in a 2017 review.

A common oral therapy is oil pulling. In a manner similar to how mouthwash is used now, it entails swishing oil around the oral cavity.

Coconut oil pulling has been shown in studies to reduce gingivitis, prevent cavities, and affect the balance of mouth flora.

Can aid in weight loss

In a study comparing two products, it was discovered that coconut oil was less likely to cause mice to develop diabetes and gain weight.

This has been taken by some as implying that coconut oil can aid in weight loss. When people consume more calories than they utilize for energy, weight gain can happen.

Oils and meals heavy in fat are all high in calories. Coconut oil has 121 calories per tablespoon (13.6 grams), more than lard and butter but a little less than sunflower oil.

A diet high in carbohydrates and calories may not help you lose weight if extra high-fat, calorie-dense items are added to it.

Could lessen Alzheimer’s disease symptoms

The most typical cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. The disorder makes it harder for your brain to burn glucose for energy.

Ketones, however, may help prevent the onset of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease by giving brain cells a different energy source.

Because of this, specific foods like coconut oil have been looked into for their potential significance in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Larger human research is still required, though.

Summary

Coconut oil may potentially kill sperm, but there isn’t enough evidence to recommend its use as a contraceptive.

Also, coconut oil may negatively affect some condoms so people using it as a lubricant (even though not recommended) may have to find out about the specific condom type.

It has a lot of other health benefits which we discussed in this article. But as always, do speak to your doctor before using any of these products.