01/11/2009 by yourgreatlife.

Part One: How Do You Function as a Couple? 

Infertility is no picnic. There are months or even years of suspecting a problem, opening up about it, asking for help, educating yourselves about issues, medical terms, finding acceptance and making decisions about how to proceed.  It’s not entirely straightforward for most couples.  How can it be, unless you are incredibly agreeable, immediately find the right doctor and receive an unequivocal diagnosis and solution?  Often, I get annoyed by the over-used term “fertility journey,” but it fits here too perfectly to cast aside, as I describe various crossroads you may reach on the way to creating your family.  A crossroads, in this context, is one of those times when you have to stop and deliberate a big decision that will affect the way you pursue parenting and its success.  You may have a possible diagnosis, a medical opinion, and/or the opinions of family, friends and forum members to contend with, fighting for attention in your head.  You have to pay attention to what your body is telling you as well.  Primarily, if you are in a relationship, you must come to an agreement with your partner at each of several crossroads. 

How will you get through these rather large bumps in the road? For the most part, that will depend upon how your relationship already works.

For a couple whose communication skills are quite healthy, facing these decisions may not be too difficult. Secure in their relationship, they may sit down together and have private, peaceful conversations every step of the way.  They will lay out the pros and cons very efficiently, really listening to each other and reading the subtext (that which is not actually spoken) to arrive at a decision that both find acceptable.

The couple who do not talk about much may just launch into medical investigations and treatment without much forethought.  That may seem unbelievable, considering the physical, emotional and financial costs, but it works for some.  This is the couple that knows they want children, want their “problem fixed” and allow their doctor to run the show. “It seems like everyone is having fertility treatment these days,” so why shouldn’t they? One concern is that if they don’t talk about huge issues like fertility treatment, they may not know when they need to be supportive of each other.

Where one person in the relationship is clearly dominant, the person who is in the power seat makes most of the decisions and their partner follows the lead.  When it comes to fertility issues, I would lay a bet down that the woman is making the decisions. This is actually more effective than you might think, in that traditional relationships assign matters of health, wellbeing and family planning to the woman. Her man goes off to work, doesn’t accompany her to the doctor’s office and understands the need for scheduling tests, scans, injections, sex and, well, life.  She only has to tell him where and when to show up to fulfil his parts of the equation. 

 Finally, there are the couples who discuss EVERYTHING in minute detail, who I divide into two camps:1)  The couple who talk about everything with each other and everyone else. Copious research, note-taking, question-asking, Google-obsessing, and forum-hopping is normal for them, but they do finally come to a decision and eventually take a step forward and 2) The couple that goes round and round the issues in circles, saying “What do you think? No, you say what you want first. Please just tell me what you want to do. Maybe we should discuss it more.”  This couple is in danger of losing valuable time in getting their treatment started or moving on to the next available spot with the clinic.

This is Part One of a Series. Please look for the next Part: Coming upon a Crossroads, What You Need To Make Your Decisions.

Lisa Marsh is a Fertility Coach working with people on all aspects of fertility, including female and male infertility, pregnancy loss, assisted conception, alternative means of family-building and menopause.  Visit her blog http://yourgreatlife.typepad.com or her website http://yourgreatlife.co.uk for more information.  For coaching, email lisa@yourgreatlife.co.uk

Posted in Guest blogger, Assisted reproduction, Male Infertility, fertility coach, infertility investigations, Asking for help, Fertility Treatment, Male Fertility Test, Infertility, Trying to Conceive, Fertility, IVF, Getting Pregnant, Fertility Tests | No Comments »

01/07/2009 by admin.

There has been a lot of coverage of male fertility issues in the news this week, so I thought it would be worth doing a quick review of the info and some tips for improving male fertility

The good news is a recent study has shown that having sex frequently is good for male fertility.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5697634/Couples-trying-for-baby-should-have-sex-daily.html

Not so good news is that extreme cycling is very bad for fertility. Read this article if you guy spends a lot of time cycling, even if its at the gym.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8124458.stm

And those laptops are still causing problems !

http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20090515023655data_trunc_sys.shtml

Tips for maximising male fertility:

• Avoid anything that gets the testicles over heated, as excess heat can damage sperm-this is why the testicles are external and not inside the body. Things that may cause overheating are:laptops on the lap, saunas, hot baths, tight underwear, cycling, medical conditions such as varicoele (varicose veins in scrotum-if you think you have this see your doctor)
• Stop smoking as smokers have higher incidence of sperm problems
• Keep alcohol consumption within safe limits
• Eat a balanced healthy diet high in antioxidants, eat lots of fruit and veg & cut down on the meat-make sure he gets his 5 a day. A recent Spanish study has shown that men who eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, in particular peppers, spinach and citrus fruits, have higher quality and faster swimming sperm. http://www.bionews.org.uk/new.lasso?storyid=4397
• Check if he is on any medication that may damage sperm eg antidepressants, check with your doctor http://www.naturalnews.com/026483_SSRI_fertility_DNA.html
• Exercise moderately-remember keep those testicles cool, and wear loose fitting boxers and clothes. May be best to avoid the tight lycra
• Avoid recreational drug use-research has shown that cannabis may reduce male fertility http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3586115.stm
• Taking a multivitamin containing L-Cartinine may help eg Wellman

Click here to find out more about male fertility supplements

Click here to find out about home male fertility testing

Posted in Male Fertility, Male Infertility, Fertility Tips, Smoking & Fertility, Sperm Motility, Male Fertility Test, Sperm, Male Fertility Issues | No Comments »

07/06/2009 by admin.

5 tips to maximise his fertility

1) Make sure he eats a healthy diet-consider a vitamin and mineral supplement designed to support male fertility

2) Get him to give up smoking

3) Avoid tight fitting underwear or trousers (and anything else that may raise testicular temperature) no saunas and keep the laptop off his lap !

4) Avoid recreational drugs, keep alcohol consumption within safe limits

5) Does he have any underlying medical condition that could affect fertility eg varicoele (varicose veins in scrotum), chlamydia or any other illness. If concerned book appointment with doctor for check up.

Click here to view male fertility supplements, fertility tests & fertility products

Posted in Male Fertility Test, Male Fertility Issues | No Comments »

26/03/2009 by admin.

Have you visited Access Diagnostics new google checkout fertility website yet

It is very quick and easy to navigate with the same low prices on fertility tests and fertility products, and great service we know you expect

Click here to visit Access Diagnostics NEW fertility website for fertility information, pregnancy tests, ovulation tests, fertility tests, fertility supplements, Pre-Seed and lots more fertility products

Posted in LH Tests, Ovulation Microscopes, Pregnancy Supplements, Fertility Test Site, Ovulation Kits, Tests for Health Professionals, Ovulation Tests, Pre-Seed Lubricant, Fertility, Pregnancy Tests, Zita West, Vitamin & Mineral Supplements, Male Fertility Test, Fertility Tests | No Comments »

24/03/2009 by admin.

I watched it last night with dh and we both found it very informative & quite awe inspiring.

What those sperm go through to fertilise the egg is amazing. It is a true miracle of nature they even reach the egg. Good job I’m not a sperm-I think I would give up at the start-lol

Dr Ellington (Sperm Physiologist & CEO of ING Fertility the makers of Pre-Seed) was one of the narrators and did a great job.

If you missed the programme you can view it online at channel 4-link below

Watch The Great Sperm Race online

Posted in Sperm Motility, Sperm, Sex, Male Fertility Test, Male Fertility Issues | No Comments »

18/11/2008 by admin.

Use this Coupon Code to save 5% when shopping for pregnancy tests, ovulation tests, pre-seed, fertility tests & lots more fertility products

Use coupon code reward  to receive a 5% discount when spending over £5.00 on goods.

Coupon valid until end of November 2008. Online Coupon may be used multiple times. Please feel free to pass this coupon code on to your family, friends, colleagues etc. Only one discount is applied per order

Click here to visit Access Diagnostics Fertility Site

Posted in Early pregnancy tests, Fertility Test Site, LH Tests, Male Fertility Test, Sex Education, Pregnancy Tests, Fertility Tests | No Comments »

03/11/2008 by admin.

A survey recently carried out by Norwich Union Healthcare revealed that only five percent of men were aware they might have a lower sperm count than average. Many men may be too embarrassed to get their sperm checked by their GP or at a fertility clinic and for them a home male fertility test can be a useful screening test that can be used in the privacy of their own home.

Research has found a rising number of men are now being treated for reduced fertility. Some studies show average sperm counts have fallen by more than half and although the causes are uncertain experts suspect lifestyle factors such as alcohol and drug use, lack of exercise, smoking and obesity as well as environmental factors may be to blame for this alarming increase in the figures.

With 1 in 4 couples suffering from fertility problems and some experts predicting this to increase to 1 in 3 in the near future, the problem of male subfertility needs to be addressed.

The FertilityScoree home male fertility test allows men to check the quality of their sperm in the privacy of their own home simply and quickly. It measures the amount of motile sperm (sperm that are able to move freely) concentration within minutes and can give a strong indication as to the quantity of motile sperm in the sample, which is one of the most accurate indications of sperm quality and quantity.

The home test is positive if it represents 20 million sperm per ml, which is the cut off quantity recommended by the World Health Organisation between fertile and infertile. In a clinical study the FertilitySCORE Home Male was shown to be 93% accurate in identifying semen samples containing 20 million or more motile sperm per ml. Click here to for more information or to buy home male fertility test (home sperm counts) visit Access Diagnostics Fertility Test site

Posted in Male Fertility Test, Fertility Tests, Male Fertility Issues | No Comments »

22/10/2008 by admin.

Just read this article online and thought it was very interesting. Seemed surprising to me that Australian men do not get enough vitamin d with that lovely sunny climate.

May be something for couples having difficulty conceiving to consider. And look on the bright side (no pun intended) getting out in the sunshine for 10 minutes a day is good for us in lots of ways, improved mood, exercise, reducing risk of SAD (seasonal affective disorder), stronger bones-the list could go on and on. At this time of year it is lovely to go for a walk in the sunshine or get out in the garden-the autumn colours are fantastic.

Here is an extract from the article

Couples struggling to conceive should consider getting out more, research suggests.

A study found almost a third of men experiencing fertility problems have low levels of vitamin D, the ’sunshine vitamin’.

Just spending ten minutes outside in their shirt sleeves would be enough of a boost, according to Anne Clark, the medical director of an Australian fertility centre.

Previous studies have shown vitamin D, produced from natural light and found in oily fish and eggs, is important for a healthy pregnancy.

But the latest findings show a deficiency may also affect sperm.

‘The results show lifestyle changes can be beneficial,’ Dr Clark told the Fertility Society of Australia, in Brisbane.

The vitamin D deficiency could have been caused by worries about skin cancer and by men trying to avoid too much exposure to sunshine, Dr Clark

Other basic lifestyle changes such as giving up smoking, losing weight, and reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, would also help. 

In her group, 105 men agreed to the changes, and to take multivitamins and antioxidants for two to three months.

Afterwards, tests revealed ‘an improvement in the shape of the sperm, which can enhance conception,’ said Dr Clark.

Click here to read the full article

Click here for male vitamin and mineral supplements for trying to conceive

Posted in Male Fertility Test, Vitamin & Mineral Supplements, Male Fertility Issues | No Comments »

21/10/2008 by admin.

Home male fertility test kits have been available to buy for nearly 5 years. Male fertility test kits start from under £20 and offer the user all the convenience of a complete home test with results in under half and hour.

We think the best of the bunch is FertilityScore as this tests both the sperm count and screens the motility of the sperm present. Without a test for motility, the sample count may be good, but the fertility poor, with many dead or inactive sperm which will never result in a pregnancy.

All tests work to the WHO recommended count of 20 million sperm per ml . Above this level is considered high enough to result in pregnancy normally. A sperm count of less than 20million/ml is considered low, and male fertility may be reduced and conception take longer, even if the motility is 100%.

FertilityScore is also the only test which works on the complete ejaculate. This is important as sperm clumping and other inconsistencies can affect the result, if only a sample of the male ejaculate is collected for testing.

FertilityScore also includes 2 complete tests. The tests are performed at 7 to 10 day intervals. Again the importance of this is that the count and quality of sperm in ejaculates varies. It is therfore vital to test at least 2 samples over a period of time, to determine that a healthy fertile count is being achieved and maintained. Two positive results are a good indicator of healthy male fertility with high confidence ratios that the donor should be able to father kids normally.

The home male fertility test offers these advantages

• Cheap and easily available without waiting
• Privacy
• Accurate results in under 1/2 hr
• Determine if there is a male problem and fast track professional help

The last advantage is critical. Most fertility centres and Drs will not consider investigating male fertility issues until the couple have tried for at least 12 months (if female < 35 years) By home testing, a low or imotile sperm problem can be brought for early investigation and treatment.

FertilityScore Male Fertility Test is available from online retailers and good pharmacies

Posted in Male Fertility Test, Fertility Tests, Male Fertility Issues | No Comments »

13/09/2008 by admin.

MALE FERTILITY TESTS

Home Male Fertility Tests-What should we do if the result comes back low?

First thing to say is don’t panic. A low sperm count does not mean you can not conceive it may just make it more difficult. However you do need to go and see your doctor now for examination & further sperm tests-this is very important.

Some of the following factors may be worth considering while you are waiting for the appointment to see the doctor.

1) Was the sample ideal? Did you follow the instructions precisely? It may be worth repeating to check this. Cooling the sample or a delay in performing the fertility test can alter the number of active sperm, and give a false result.

2) High testes temperature. Sperm are made in the testes which are in the scrotum. This is the body’s way of keeping the testes slightly cooler than the rest of the body which is best for making sperm. It is often advised for men who have a low sperm count to wear loose fitting underpants and trousers and to avoid very hot baths, saunas, etc. This aims to keep your testes slightly cooler than the rest of your body, which is thought to be good for sperm production. It is not clear whether these measures improve a sperm count, but they seem to be sensible. Also best not to let him sit with his laptop on his groin !

3) Smoking can affect the sperm count. If you smoke, you should stop completely for optimum sperm production.

4) Alcohol. More than 16 units per week (equivalent to about 8 pints of normal strength beer or 16 small glasses of wine) may interfere with optimum fertility.

5) Drugs and medicines. Most do not interfere with sperm production, but some may do. These include: sulphasalazine, nitrofurantoin, tetracyclines, cimetidine, colchicine, allopurinol, some chemotherapy drugs, cannabis, cocaine, and anabolic steroids. They are always finding new drugs that can affect sperm. If you have a low sperm count, tell a doctor if you take any drugs or medicines regularly

More info on home male fertility tests

Posted in Male Fertility Test, Fertility Tests, Male Fertility Issues | No Comments »