Archive for June, 2009
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009
From the BBC comes a report that links male elite cyclists and infertility issues.
According to the article, the overall sperm quality of elite cyclists drop radically, mainly because of their vigorous training regimens. In fact, the Spanish researchers who conducted the survey of male elite cyclists even recommended those cyclists consider freezing their sperm before beginning their cycling careers.
However, this isn’t a cause for you to pitch your ten speed. In the study, the men who were examined cycled more than 186 miles per week, much more than your average Joe.
Because the same drop in sperm quality wasn’t seen in long-distance swimmers or runners, the problem may lie with a number of factors, including the heat generated from the cyclists’ clothing or the pressure of the seat against the groin area of the cyclist.
Though this may not affect you or your partner, it’s worth considering the possibility that certain types of high intensity exercise routines could lead to fertility issues.
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Tags: Average Joe, cycling careers, elite cyclist, Fertility Issues, freezing sperm, Infertility Issues, male elite cyclists, running, Sperm Quality, swimming, ten speed bike, training regimens, triathlete
Posted in Male Infertility | No Comments »
Friday, June 26th, 2009
The news was announced earlier this week — Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick’s surrogate gave birth to the couple’s twins. It brought surrogacy in the news, but what many people don’t realize is that having a surrogate give birth to their children isn’t just for Hollywood’s elite.
In fact, surrogacy can be an effective solution for couples struggling with infertility problems. In some cases, it greatly minimizes the stress of continuing with fertility treatments that might not be working. Consequently, surrogacy shouldn’t be ignored; it’s been and continues to be a viable way to have a baby for numerous men and women.
Our congratulations to SJP and MB!
Tags: Couples, Effective Solution, Elite, Fertility Treatments, have a baby, Hollywood, Infertility, Infertility Issues, Infertility Problems, Infertility Treatment Options, Matthew Broderick, Men And Women, minimize stress, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sarah Jessica Parker And Matthew Broderick, Sjp, Stress, surrogacy, Surrogate, Tweet, Twins
Posted in surrogacy | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
The online version of the Chicago Tribune released a very interesting article yesterday on infertility “by the numbers”.
Some of the more interesting facts (as culled from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Center for Health Statistics) noted were that:
- Approximately 12% of American women of child-bearing age had used an infertility service as of 2006.
- The average age of American women who gave birth for the first time was 25.2 in 2003 and 25.0 in 2006. For contrast, the average age in 1960 was 21.5.
We encourage you to read the whole story here.
Tags: American Women, Bearing, Centers For Disease Control, Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, Chicago Tribune, Disease Control And Prevention, Disease Prevention, Infertility, Infertility Service, Interesting Facts, National Center For Health Statistics, National Health, National Statistics
Posted in Statistics | No Comments »
Monday, June 22nd, 2009
Tied in knots because of stress?
If you’re stressed out because you’re not able to conceive, that stress may actually be contributing to your fertility issues.
So says a recent study from the University of California, Berkeley, as reported by MyFOX in Chattanooga, TN.
A recently-released abstract from the study notes that:
“The subjective experience of stress leads to reproductive dysfunction in many species, including rodents and humans. Stress effects on reproduction result from multilevel interactions between the hormonal stress response system, i.e., the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, and the hormonal reproductive system, i.e., the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis.”
Many individuals and couples who have experienced infertility are not strangers to the notion that stress that can contribute to infertility.
However, it’s important to remember that the majority of infertility issues cannot be solved by relaxation. That’s why working with a knowledgeable team of reproductive science professionals is always recommended for men and women who have been unable to conceive naturally.
Tags: Chattanooga Tn, Fertility Issues, Fertility Problems, Hpa Axis, Infertility, Infertility Issues, Knots, Knowledgeable Team, Myfox, Relaxation, Reproductive Dysfunction, Reproductive Science, Reproductive System, Response System, Rodents, Science Professionals, Stress Effects, Stress Response, Subjective Experience, University Berkeley, University Of California, University Of California Berkeley
Posted in Stress | 1 Comment »
Saturday, June 20th, 2009
Both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day can be difficult for couples who are having difficulty conceiving.
Because it’s tough to completely avoid these holidays, it’s important for men and women (and those who love them) to take an understanding, realistic approach to dealing with the day.
Below are some suggestions for getting through family-centered holidays:
- Don’t ignore the fact that it’s Father’s Day. But try not to spend every waking hour thinking about it, either.
- Spend time with your own father or a father figure.
- Plan to do something special with your loved ones.
- If you need to talk about your feelings, do so. (If you’re religious, know that many clergy make themselves available during these particularly sensitive times.)
- It’s fine to feel angry, resentful or uncomfortable. Emotions are normal. Just don’t take them out on those about whom you care.
- If you already have children, spend time with them.
- Remind yourself that infertility does not have anything to do with self-worth.
- If you and/or your partner feel being around children will be difficult on this holiday, you may want to avoid going to places (such as restaurants, amusement parks, etc.) where fathers and children will likely gather.
- Try to remain positive throughout the day.
- Do something healthy for yourself. For instance, if you like to exercise, plan a hike in the woods or a long bike ride in the country.
What suggestions do you have for coping with holidays like Mother’s and Father’s Day for those who are struggling with fertility issues? Feel free to comment.
Tags: Amusement Parks, Bike Ride, Children Spend Time, Clergy, conception difficulties, coping with holidays, Couples, difficulty conceiving, Father Figure, Father S Day, Father's Day, Fathers And Children, Feelings, Fertility Issues, Holidays, holidays without kids, Infertility, kid-centered holidays, Men And Women, Mother Day, Mother S Day, Mother's Day, Realistic Approach, Restaurants, Self Worth, Tweet, Uncomfortable Emotions
Posted in Holidays | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 16th, 2009
Recent survey results released by Fertility LifeLines(TM) reveals some interesting facts regarding male infertility.
Some of the highlights of the survey include the following stats, many of which may help explain why men sometimes take a very low-key approach to fertility:
28% of the males who participated in the survey said they felt “embarrassed” when dealing with fertility issues;
39% of the males who participated in the survey felt sad or depressed when dealing with fertility issues.
45% of the surveyed men said they would wait more than a year before they would seek medical attention for fertility issues.
The upshot of these findings?
It’s apparent that our society needs to do a better job of educating young men on the facts regarding conception and fertility. And slowly but surely, we’re heading in the right direction.
Tags: Conception, Digg, education, Fertility Issues, Heading In The Right Direction, Infertility, infertility in men, Interesting Facts, Job, Male Infertility, Medical Attention, Rsi, Sad, Survey Results, Upshot, Young Men
Posted in Male Infertility | No Comments »
Friday, June 12th, 2009
There many myths and misconceptions that abound when it comes to male infertility. And it looks like one which sounds bizarre may actually have some credence.
A recent Newswise article noted that researchers at Loyola University Health System (LUHS) released a statement that prolonged and excessive laptop usage could, in fact, contribute to male infertility.
There’s no need to chuck your laptop if you’re trying to conceive with a partner, however. Instead, the people at LUHS recommended that men simply make certain they don’t rest their laptops on… well… their laps. That way, the heat generated from the laptop is less likely to affect sperm production now or in the future.
Tags: Credence, Heat Generated From, Infertility, Laps, Laptop Usage, Laptops, Loyola University, Luhs, Male Infertility, Misconceptions, Myths, Newswise, Reproductive Science, Rsi, Sperm Production, Trying To Conceive, University Health System
Posted in Fertility Issues In the News, Male Infertility | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, June 10th, 2009
A recent article from the UK’s Birmingham Post did an excellent job of explaining why women who have been able to conceive naturally without fertility treatments may one day find themselves dealing with infertility.
In the story, the author discusses the experiences of Sarah Jessica Parker, the Hollywood star who recently discovered that she was no longer able to become pregnant even though she had conceived without problems previously.
The phenomenon, “secondary infertility,” can happen for a number of reasons including the age of the woman, a switch in partners and potential medical problems. Regardless of the “whys”, it can still be a devastating experience for any couple who assumed they would be able to naturally conceive.
The upshot, though, is that there are alternatives for women who want to have children, including fertility treatments. Although becoming pregnant may take a bit longer than expected, in many cases, it can still be a reality.
Tags: Appointment, Birmingham Post, dealing with infertility, Experiences, Fertility Issues, Fertility Treatments, Giving Birth, Hollywood, Hollywood Star, Infertility, Infertility Website, Job, Medical Problems, Phenomenon, Pregnant, Recent Article, Rsi, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sarah Parker, secondary fertility, Secondary Infertility, Upshot, Whys
Posted in Fertility Issues In the News, secondary fertility | No Comments »
Friday, June 5th, 2009
Think fertility issues are only a North American concern? Guess again.
Throughout the world, more and more men and women are becoming interested in the subject of infertility; they are also becoming more apt to seek out assistance to help overcome their fertility issues.
In a recent article, “Global Rates of Reproduction Climb”, the author notes that:
“…in the two year period since the previous report was published, the number of people who sought ART treatment globally increased by 25 percent, while the number of babies born as a result of ART procedures rose from 219,000 in 2000 to 246,000 in 2002.”
The article goes on to explain that the number of live births corresponds with the expected increase in multiples, a reality for many recipients of in vitro fertilization methods.
For more information on infertility or to set up a consultation with one of our staff experts, visit the RSI website today.
Join RSI on Twitter.
Tags: American Concern, Art Procedures, Art Treatment, Babies, Consultation, Fertility Issues, Fertility Treatments, Global Rates, Guess, Infertility, Live Births, Men And Women, People, Recent Article, Reproduction, Rose, Rsi, Staff Experts, Vitro Fertilization
Posted in Fertility Issues In the News | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009
During the past twenty years, the subject of infertility has absolutely become less taboo in American culture, yet it’s still one that’s fraught with misunderstandings and misinformation.
As a launching-point for the RSI Infertility blog, we’ve accumulated some of the most up-to-date information on infertility available, including some facts and figures that may surprise you.
- 7.3 million women between the ages of 15 and 44 have impaired fecundity. This translates to 11.8% of that population who will likely experience infertility issues.
- A female’s chances of conceiving and carrying a baby drop every year after she turns 30.
- About 10-15% of couples are considered infertile.
- In about 50% of the cases of couples with infertility, male infertility plays a significant role.
- Approximately 67% of all couples who are treated for infertility are able to have children.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Women’s Health Information Center, MayoClinic.com
- For more information on infertility or to set up a consultation with one of our staff experts, visit the RSI website today.
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Image Source: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net
Tags: American Culture, Baby Drop, Centers For Disease Control, Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, Consultation, Couples, Disease Control And Prevention, Fecundity, female infertility, Health Information Center, infertile couples, infertile men, infertile women, Infertility, Infertility Issues, Infertility Male, infertility statistics, Launching Point, Male Infertility, Misinformation, Misunderstandings, National Women, Population, RSI Infertility, Staff Experts, Twenty Years
Posted in Facts and Figures, Statistics | No Comments »
