Can lubricants or saliva reduce our chances of conceiving?

It's a fair question, and it comes up often because scheduled intercourse can make dryness more common. Some regular water-based lubricants have been shown in lab studies to reduce sperm movement, mostly because of their acidity or concentration. Saliva has also been shown to affect sperm in the lab. How much this matters in real life is less clear, but if you are actively trying, it's reasonable to be careful. Options people commonly use include lubricants labelled as fertility-friendly or sperm-friendly (made to match the pH and concentration of fertile mucus), or small amounts of plain mineral oil or canola-type oil. Using less lubricant, and spending more time on foreplay, also helps naturally. If dryness or pain during intercourse is frequent, mention it to your gynaecologist. It can be linked to stress, hormonal changes, infections or skin conditions, and some are easy to treat. Pain during intercourse can also be a sign of endometriosis, so it's worth reporting rather than just managing on your own.