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CHICAGO, June 18 (UPI) -- Fatherhood might be far from the minds of most young men, but their behavior when young can contribute to later male infertility, a U.S. researcher said.

Dr. Suzanne Kavic, a reproductive specialist at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, said heat generated by hot tubs, excessive laptop use, or using boxers over briefs can impact sperm production, making it difficult to conceive down the road.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/06/18/Forty-percent-of-fertility-issues-male/UPI-19291245351601/



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Amsterdam - Despite advanced facilities at home, many Dutch women travel abroad for fertility treatments - a phenomena which is echoed right across Europe. Why, when the Netherlands seemingly offers excellent treatments?

That question will be answered on Sunday June 28, when academics unveil the results of the first-ever international study into the issue at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) in Amsterdam.

"We know that women increasingly travel around the globe to seek the fertility treatment they want," Dutch ESHRE-chairman Joep Geraedts tells the German Press Agency

Source: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/274642,study-asks-why-women-go-abroad-for-fertility-treatment--feature.html

Through a unique and effective collaboration of egg donor agencies through out the United States, The Donor Network Alliance (DNA) - the industry's first ever web-based collective of egg donors - has quickly become one of the largest egg donation resources in the country with more than one thousand diverse and multi-cultural egg donor candidates.

Launched just over three months ago and already generating widespread industry recognition, the DNA website is a robust portal of potential egg donors listed with agencies throughout the entire U.S. In order to find the perfect donor, the comprehensive yet easy-to-use database enables intended parents to search specific donor parameters such as ethnicity, education, phenotype and more. The system then automatically generates an email that is sent directly to the registered donor agency of the individual donors.

Populating rapidly with egg donor candidates across the county, the simple functionality of the DNA website not only streamlines the process, it also saves aspiring parents a considerable amount of time and money during an already difficult and emotional fertility journey. For participating agencies, it provides an increase in exposure and expanded opportunities for their donors and intended parents.

Robin von Halle, DNA Co-Founder explains that the goal was to build a program to give intended parents more control over their egg donor search process, as well as create a positive unification that did not previously exist within the industry. "We are delighted to bring together some of the most credible and esteemed agencies across the country, while better serving the needs of the infertility community. We have close to 2,000 additional donor candidates to add to the website and it's our goal to reach 8,000 by the end of the year," she adds.

DNA began with three competing egg donor agencies in Chicago (Alternative Reproductive Resources (ARR), The Center for Egg Options Illinois (CEO) and ConceiveAbilities), and now collaborates with agencies from California, Massachusetts, Texas, Washington DC, Florida, Colorado, Arizona, Minnesota, Georgia and more. The website will soon be launching internationally, in order to provide family building options to many international fertility patients often restricted by limited resources or reproductive laws in their own country.

Robin von Halle will be attending the 25th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Amsterdam, The Netherlands from June 28 - July 1 and will be available to discuss this program and third party reproductive options in the U.S. and abroad.

For more information on The Donor Network Alliance (DNA) visit www.donornetworkalliance.com or contact Haylie Marchant at 773.366.9185 or Haylie@catalystcommunications.us

Source: http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-24-2009/0005049762&EDATE=

As new research links red meat to slower sperm, we look at how the right diet can dramatically improve a couple's chances of conceiving.

Having trouble getting pregnant? Experts now believe that following the right diet could be the single most important factor for successful conception.

A Spanish study recently found that men could boost their sperm counts by eating less red meat and fatty food, and more fruit and veg.

Meanwhile, research at Harvard University also found that women who made dietary changes reduced their risk of infertility by as much as 80%.

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/life-style/sex-health/2009/06/23/amazing-fertility-boosting-food-plan-115875-21463406/

Conceive, which recently relaunched its website ConceiveOnline.com, is excited to present the new MyConceive social networking site for women to connect, make friends, and share similar TTC (trying-to-conceive) and getting-pregnant experiences.

Whether thinking about getting pregnant or already in full trying mode, MyConceive is the ideal spot to link up with others and provide encouragement, share thoughts, give advice, and discuss progress. Upon joining MyConceive, members can create a profile, update their status, upload photos, post comments, invite friends, create groups, and get exclusive access to the MyConceive Forum community. The forum allows users a secure space for discussing issues like fertility and infertility, in vitro fertilization, third-party reproduction, and medical conditions.

"I am so excited to provide the new MyConceive community to anyone seeking to start a family," says Kim Hahn, founder of Conceive. "We want to educate and celebrate the journey to parenthood, as well as empower women to share their stories and support each other through this experience."

Users can sign up for a free MyConceive account at www.ConceiveOnline.com/MyConceive . The service provides support to the many women and couples trying to get pregnant, like Susan Quinzi, whose blog "My Nest, Someone Else's Eggs" is featured on Conceive's site. "When I started trying to conceive, I thought it would be easy," says Quinzi. "Talking with friends and family, the only advice I got was, 'Just relax; it will happen.' As most women know, that's the last thing you want to hear. MyConceive is a great place to talk with other women who are also on the path to pregnancy."

Source: http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-24-2009/0005049687&EDATE=

Image by Hljod.Huskona via Flickr

Scientists have discovered how the fertility part of the brain communicates; a finding they claim could pave the way for new treatment methods.

An international team, led by University of Otago, has found that fertility is controlled by a thousand or so special neurons that are linked by long, branch-like dendrites instead of the usual synapses.

The study focuses on a small and relatively scattered population of cells, known as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, whose mode of communication has been unknown until now.

Read more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Health--Science/Special-brain-cells-talk-fertility/articleshow/4695825.cms




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Fertility Authority, the only web portal dedicated to fertilityand EmpowHer, the home of women's health online, are working together to advance women's reproductive health.

Over seven million women in the U.S. experience infertility at some point in their lives, and many of these women are searching for fertility information on the web. EmpowHer and Fertility Authority will increase awareness while promoting reproductive health.

Together, we can reach more people who are struggling with fertility issues and offer them information, advice and support. It will also help us send the message to all women that they should be proactive about their reproductive health.

"We are excited about our partnership with EmpowHer," said Gina Bartasi, CEO of Fertility Authority. "Together, we can reach more people who are struggling with fertility issues and offer them information, advice and support. It will also help us send the message to all women that they should be proactive about their reproductive health."

"EmpowHer is looking forward to this new partnership," said Michelle King Robson, Founder and Chairman of EmpowHer. "This new partnership with Fertility Authority will improve the health and well-being of the women in EmpowHer's global audience."

Have you ever found yourself talking to a friend about your fertility struggle, when a blank, horrified look begins to crawl across her face? She's probably blissfully ignorant about all a person can go through to conceive.

Except for those of us who've been forced to learn firsthand about things like stimming, egg retrieval, male factor infertility, and reproductive endocrinology, these terms may as well be Greek to most people.

For a "fertile", the concept of getting pregnant is usually something to the effect of get frisky; sperm meets egg; buy home pregnancy test; have baby.

Read more: http://www.examiner.com/x-12953-LA-Infertility--Miscarriage-Examiner~y2009m6d16-What-most-women-dont-know-about-fertility




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Tight briefs, red meat, varicose veins or stress? Which has been shown to actually reduce a man's sperm count and lead to infertility?

Father's Day is a day for fun with dad and special treats made just for him. But for couples struggling with infertility, Father's Day can be another painful reminder that their family is not yet a reality.

Just as many women face infertility obstacles, many men face the challenge of overcoming medical problems that impede their ability to become a father. Of the more than 7.3 million cases of infertility in the United States, 30 percent are attributed to the male.

Read more: http://www.talkgwinnett.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=789&Itemid=1

Here's a list of some iPhone Applications that can make life as a new or expecting parent more manageable:

Fertility Calendars:
1. Nurtur (by Live Axle LLC) $9.99 - A fertility calendar that allows you to record your basal temperature and follows the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) for encouraging pregnancy.

2. FREE Menstrual Calendar (by Tamtris Web Services) FREE - Keep a record of your menstrual cycle and sexual activity with this color-coded calendar. Provides your expected ovulation and most fertile days while providing you with daily tips and information.

3. iPeriod (by Winkpass Creations) $1.99 - Do you remember the date of your last period when the doctor asks? The iPeriod calendar automatically remembers for you as well as predicting the starting day for the next 12 months. Also predicts ovulation and fertility (optional) while you keep track of your PMS symptoms (weight, energy levels, etc).

4. 9-Toolbox (by e2ndesign) FREE - Not only does this have a discreet calendar to keep track of your monthly period and predicted dates of fertility, but there are 8 other applications, some of which might be more helpful than others, such as the Tip Calculator and Units of Measure.

5. FemiCycle (by Alpha Salmon) $2.99 - For women wanting to either become pregnant or avoid a possible pregnancy. It also provides a guide to help increase your chances of conceiving a boy or girl.

Read more: http://www.examiner.com/x-1210-San-Diego-Parenting-Examiner~y2009m6d15-Trying-to-get-pregnant-Theres-an-app-for-that



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June is World Fertility Awareness Month (“WorldFAM”), geared toward bettering society’s education on the topic of reproductive medicine.

As it coincides with Men’s Health Week (June 14 – 21), this article focuses on male fertility facts and misconceptions.

Recently, the D.C. Men’s Health Examiner interviewed Dr. Julian Lange, a clinical research biologist at the Sloan-Kettering Institute in New York City, to investigate this very pertinent men’s health issue.

Read more: http://www.examiner.com/x-9933-DC-Mens-Health-Examiner~y2009m6d17-The-facts-on-male-fertility

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U.S. Sen. Kristin Gillibrand (D-New York) has introduced a bill that would require health insurers to pay for advanced fertility treatments the Senator says would help the 1 in 8 American couples affected by infertility to bear children.

Researchers from University of California, Berkeley claim to have found a missing piece of puzzle about how stress causes sexual dysfunction.

The study showed that stress delivers a double whammy on reproductive system and fertility.

It is already known that stress boosts levels of stress hormones - glucocorticoids such as cortisol - that inhibit the body''s main sex hormone, gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), and subsequently suppresses sperm count, ovulation and sexual activity.

Read more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Health/Stress-affects-fertility/articleshow/4662447.cms

UK - The number of babies born to mothers over the age of 40 has more than doubled since 1997, new figures showed today.

More than 26,000 older women gave birth last year, up from under 13,000 in the year Labour came to power.

Numbers of older mothers have shot up in recent years as greater numbers of well-educated women have chosen to spend their 20s and 30s pursuing careers rather than building families.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1185782/Number-babies-born-mothers-40-DOUBLED-decade.html

Life Begins... - Miscarriage stories of loss, hope & help
Pregnancy Stories by Age - Daily blog of hope & inspiration!
Stories of Pregnancy over 44 years old - sharing stories I find online, for inspiration!

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Can getting pregnant be swankier than this? In recent times, there is a surge in upmarket fertility retreats around the world as they are luring couples, desperate to boost their chances of having a baby, by promising "natural solutions" to infertility problems - while they holiday!

The Fertile Soul in the US and the Fertility Awakening Retreat in Spain, use a mix of oriental medicine and western teachings - including meditation and relaxation, yoga, qi gong, dance, dietary advice, self-massage techniques and acupuncture.

Such "life-changing" retreats have a success rate of more than 30 per cent, while they claim to resolve complex health problems, including premature ovarian failure and poor ovarian response.

Read more: http://www.medindia.net/news/Fertility-Vacations-Conceiving-During-a-Swanky-Holiday-52850-1.htm

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It is widely known that some anti-depressants can affect sexual functioning in men and women. A new study has found that men taking paroxetine—brand names Seroxat and Paxil — can experience impaired fertility and sperm damage, says the Chicago Tribune.

The New York research revealed that nearly half of the [men] taking Seroxat and Paxil tested with increased levels of “sperm fragmentation,” said the Chicago Tribune, which added that the study appears online today in the journal Fertility & Sterility.

They say lightning never strikes twice. The fact that it ever struck at all in my case was a miracle.

Having spent three years at the frontline of fertility treatment undergoing every medical procedure known to modern man — including more than 1,000 injections and a total change of white blood cells — I managed by some fluke to get pregnant on my own (although I was on Chinese herbs at the time).

The doctors were shocked. My husband was stunned and I was totally delighted.

And now four years on, with our miracle baby Allegra now at school and all the odds still firmly stacked against me (aged 41, I am very much in the “maternal crone” category), I have somehow managed to do it again.

Read more: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/health/article-23705882-details/Second+miracle+baby+for+infertile+mum/article.do