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Archive for the ‘Sex’ Category

What to Do When Infertility Is Hurting Your Sex Life

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

For many couples, dealing with infertility can put so much of an emotional strain on their partnership that sex becomes difficult. Not only does this make getting pregnant naturally even more of a challenge, but it begins to erode some of the bond that they have every right to share.

Some of the more common feelings men and women sometimes have toward their sex lives during infertility include:

Fear – One or both may wonder “what happens if this doesn’t produce a baby… again?”

Anger – It’s not unusual for partners to be angry; after all, they didn’t “choose” infertility.

Frustration – This can lead to problems in the bedroom, especially with performance.

Depression – This culprit can make “getting in the mood” – or staying in a lovemaking mood – thorny.

Sadness – It’s tough to have sexual intercourse when you’re upset.

The good news, though, is that many couples going through sex worries during infertility get through this phase. Some of the best ways to overcome the negative emotions associated with conception woes can be:

  1. Talking about your feelings openly. It’s easier to deal with facts when they are out in the open.
  2. Making sex special and not just robotic. There’s no reason intercourse shouldn’t be romantic, even if it’s “scheduled” to take advantage of fertile times.
  3. Touching one another intimately even when you don’t plan on having sex soon. This can operate as mental foreplay so when you are in the bedroom, you feel more into the moment.

Remember that, above all else, infertility is no one’s “fault”. Talk to your infertility specialist, like the experts at the Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) outside of Philadelphia, for more ideas on how to keep your partnership strong during fertility treatments and fertility-related issues.

 

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Sweden Launches Chlamydia Monday in Effort to Raise Awareness

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

As we’ve written about before at our blog, chlamydia can be one of the contributors to infertility or fertility issues.  A very common STD with nasty long-term side effects, chlamydia is difficult to pinpoint unless men or women get tested.

This is why the Swedish have announced “Chlamydia Mondays”, a new PR program that’s a bit “out there” (it features outlandish cartoons to get the point across) but which the government hopes will resonate with the 4-per-hour-adults who are contracting chlamydia in the country.

So how do you know if you have chlamydia?  Many people have no clue they’re carrying the disease, as it masks itself well.  So if you’ve been having trouble getting pregnant and your physician has ruled out other possibilities but hasn’t tested you or your partner for chlamydia, it’s worth a look.

If nothing else, you’ll know if you are putting your partner at risk and you’ll also be able to get healthier.

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  • How Much Sex is Too Much Sex When You’re Trying to Get Pregnant?

    Friday, August 27th, 2010

    If you’re trying to conceive a child and you’ve had difficulty in getting pregnant, you might actually be having sex too much.  Though it seems counter-intuitive, having intercourse too frequently can lower the chances of natural conception occurring.

    Why is the frequency such an issue?  It all has to do with the man’s sperm count. 

    If a male is ejaculating on a daily basis, the viability of his sperm (as well as the amount of semen) may be reduced to a point where conception becomes more and more difficult.  Thus, even if a woman is ovulating as expected, pregnancy has a lowered chance of occurring.

    Obviously, the best way to find out “how much is too much” is to speak with your fertility specialist.  He or she will help you come up with a plan that maximizes your opportunities to conceive.

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  • Could the Lubricant You Use Contribute to Your Fertility Issues?

    Monday, August 16th, 2010

    If you’re one of the millions of women who suffer from vaginal dryness during intercourse and have been plagued by fertility issues, it may be time to consider the type of lubricant you’re using.  Many are simply not “sperm friendly“.

    So how can you be certain that you’re using the lubricant that’s most conducive to natural conception? 

    Start by taking into consideration these quick tips:

    • Be careful about choosing oil- or petroleum based lubricants, such as vegetable oil or Vaseline.  Not only are they problematic for sperm, but they may actually be toxic to women’s bodies.
    • Although some women find that water lacks enough lubrication for their needs, it may be the ticket for you.  Best of all, it’s totally natural, so no fertility issues should result.
    •  With over-the-counter lubricants, you can always check the manufacturer’s or product’s website and see if there are any potential problems with using the lubricant if you’re trying to get pregnant.  (Some contain spermicide, so choose carefully.)
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  • When Sex Just Isn’t Fun Anymore

    Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

    424-raphael-collin-music-q75-334x500Reading this article brought home a really important point — when you’re dealing with infertility issues, sex can often become more drudgery than anything else.

    Big surprise, right?  But it’s worth mentioning. 

    We’ve already established that couples who have difficulty conceiving can easily become stressed out.  And high stress levels can lead to problems in the bedroom.  Erectile dysfunction.  Lubrication issues.  Ejaculation problems.  Those perfectly-understandable physiological responses to anxiety only exacerbate the underlying concern.

    If you and your partner are to the point where sex is a chore, it’s time to seek out the help of a counselor.  A therapist who is trained in the area of reproductive health issues can get you back on track.  After all, there’s no reason that intercourse should cease to be pleasurable.  You deserve to enjoy your time together.

    (If any couples or individuals have any suggestions on de-stressing and keeping sex exciting during infertility, feel free to comment.  We’d love to hear your thoughts.)

    Frequency of Sex May Be Linked to Fertility in Males

    Friday, July 3rd, 2009

    tn_loveroseIn a recent Times of London article, Australian researchers announced that the key to boosting men’s sperm counts might lie in the number of times they have sex each week or month.

    According to a study, males who had sex every other day had a more substantial sperm count than those who did not.  This seems to contradict the age-old notion that for men to boost their sperm count and quality, several days’ abstinence is needed.

    Obviously, each couple’s fertility issues are unique; however, as the researchers of the study noted, having sex every other day probably isn’t going to harm sperm counts.  Additionally, it could be a good way to release any built-up stress between partners struggling with infertility.