Overcoming vaginal dryness to help your fertility naturally

Recent article talks about how to improve fertility naturally and talks about the benefit of using sperm friendly lubricant for helping you conceive. In a 2012 article published in journal Human Reproduction, researchers estimated that the current infertility rate in Canada ranged from 11.5% to 15.7%. Both of these estimates represented an increase in current infertility prevalence in Canada when compared with previous national estimates. A new review paper entitled "Overcoming Vaginal Dryness and Improving your Fertility – Naturally" by Dr. Judith Fiore, N.D., Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and Natural Fertility Expert in Toronto, is now available for free download to help couples trying to conceive. Toronto, Ontario (PRWEB) November 30, 2012 In a 2012 article published in the journal Human Reproduction, researchers estimated that the current Canadian infertility rate (measured as greater than 12 months trying to conceive) ranged from 11.5% to 15.7%. Both of these estimates represented an increase in current infertility prevalence in Canada when compared with previous national estimates. When trying to conceive naturally many couples are unaware that there are actions they can take themselves to complement any therapeutic approach. A new review paper entitled "Overcoming Vaginal Dryness and Improving your Fertility – Naturally" by Dr. Judith Fiore, N.D., Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and Natural Fertility Expert in Toronto is now available at the Canadian Zestica Fertility website for free download. In the paper Dr Fiore shares her insights and experience on what has helped many couples achieve "baby making" success. Her insight and tips for natural ways to increase a couple's chances of conceiving include advice on what to look for in a sperm-friendly personal lubricant to overcome vaginal dryness and help sperm motility, and what it really means to follow a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle. Dr Fiore also covers the importance of sleep, exercise and stress management as well as sharing her thoughts on timed lovemaking. The paper can be downloaded from the www.zesticafertility.ca homepage Article: 30th November 2012 www.sfgate.com

Opportunity to help understand the changing face of Donation

My name is Stephen Whyte and I am a social sciences researcher from Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane (QUT), Australia. I’m conducting research into the changing market for Donors and women seeking donors for DI, IUI, ICSI and IVF treatment. As a father of three beautiful sons myself, I am lucky enough to already know “why” people are seeking the amazing gift of parenthood. What my study is seeking to establish is the driving factors behind the potential parents and donors seeking to step away from the current public and private sector options for donor insemination treatment. My research aims to better understand the participants in this new market place (Website Forums for Donation), so that fiscal policy and legislation can affect more socially beneficial outcomes. Government policy is often based on stringent un-biased academic research such as the type I am attempting to conduct. I am seeking to better understand the donors and potential parents involved in websites such as Pride Angel. To do this I first need to have an understanding of the people involved and what has brought them to participate in such online forums. I have created a short survey that takes approximately five - ten minutes for donors and ten – fifteen minutes for people seeking donors to fill in. The survey does not ask you to personally identify yourself, it is completely anonymous. We do not wish to identify you now or in the future. What we do want is a general demographic outline of you, so as to form a better idea of what has brought you to this forum. Understanding how you have got to this point, the factors that drive you and what is influencing your selection is the essence of this research. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. I would ask and hope that you follow the links below, fill in our survey and help us in our research endeavour. Thank you and good luck in your pursuit of the amazing gift of life. If you are a donor please fill in the survey at this link: www.survey.qut.edu.au/survey/175520/e66c/ If you are looking for a donor please fill in the survey at this link: www.survey.qut.edu.au/survey/175495/125c/ Article: 28th November 2012 by Stephen Whyte - Social sciences researcher from Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane (QUT), Australia

Egg Freezing - women still leaving it too late to have a baby

Leading Fertility expert Dr Gillian Lockwood says that women are still leaving it to late to try and have a baby. Dr Lockwood has suggested that Egg freezing should be every father’s graduation present to his daughter. Dr Lockwood, of the Midland Fertility Centre, where half of Britain’s babies conceived from frozen eggs originated, said young women are still not getting the message about infertility. She told The Times: ‘One part of me wants to say that [egg freezing] should be every dad’s graduation present for his daughter. It would be a very safe, low dose, and you could have 20 beautiful eggs in the freezer. 'But – and it’s a very big but – I’m concerned about how that would alter a woman’s life choices, that they might think: “Well, instead of having a family with Mr Not Quite Perfect, I can afford to wait for Mr Absolutely perfect”. In Britain, women are delaying childbirth later than ever: the average woman here has her first child at 31, compared to 24 in 1962. About 6,500 eggs have been stored in Britain in the decade since egg freezing was licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). Yet the chances of conceiving a baby from a frozen egg are low, and preparing for it is a painful, costly process involving potent fertility drugs, chemicals and surgery. Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston is rumoured to have frozen her eggs, and in a recent episode of the U.S. reality television show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Kim injected herself with hormones in preparation for doing the same. But despite egg freezing being something often talked about as a viable option, just 12 babies have been born from frozen eggs in this country. However this may slowly change after a recent report by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) stated that egg freezing is no longer experimental technology. The organisation has recommended that women freeze their eggs in their 20s and 30s to help them conceive later in life. And it is timing that is key, says Dr Lockwood. 'By the time many women decide they want to freeze their eggs, they are often in their late 30s, when their eggs have declined in quality significantly. I get many calls from women around the age of 38 who want their eggs frozen,’ she told the Mail last month. Last year Brigitte Adams decided to freeze her eggs at the age of 38, to safeguard what was left of her fertility ‘A frozen egg from a 38-year-old will be better than a fresh one from a 42-year-old, but pregnancy is still not very likely.’ Dr Lockwood added that a 30-year-old who freezes her eggs would have a 30-40 per cent chance of having a child. After 38, this falls to 25 per cent. And even freezing your eggs at 30 could have its downsides, she said. 'Will it mean a woman waits around all her life for Mr Perfect, knowing she has healthy eggs from her 30-year-old self in the freezer, but then becomes bitter because she has rejected all the Mr Pretty Well Good Enoughs and found herself single and childless at 45, with frozen eggs that turned out not to work?’ Other experts have cautioned that egg freezing is by no means a fail-safe insurance policy. Dr Magdy Asaad, clinical director of the London Fertility Centre, says the chances of getting a baby from a frozen egg are about 1 to 3 per cent for each egg. Also, only eight out of ten eggs survive the thawing process and there are still some concerns about whether egg freezing is effective or safe in terms of the long-term health of children. There have also been suggestions that chemicals applied to the egg wall during flash-freezing could potentially damage the egg. Egg freezing is funded by the NHS if carried out for women having cancer treatment. Otherwise it costs £5,000 per cycle, then £200 a year to pay for safe storage of the eggs. One woman who chose to freeze her eggs was Brigitte Adams. Last year, at the age of 38, she decided to take action to safeguard what was left of her fertility. She told The Times: 'I know I have less than a 30 per cent chance - but it's better than zero chance. I feel I have at least done something proactive and have a back-up plan.' She has gone on to found the website Eggsurance to encourage other women to think about freezing their eggs as an 'insurance policy' that can be used later. Ms Adams was 37 when she started thinking about the procedure. 'I just always expected that at my age I would already have kids. I also had some close friends who were either going through difficult IVF treatments or looking into the adoption process. 'I contacted a fertility doctor in my city who told me to “just get pregnant". Not exactly what I wanted to hear.' She adds that she assumed because she ate well and exercised that she must have a healthy supply of eggs. 'So I was surprised when I learned that maternal age directly correlates to the health of your eggs.' Her family were incredibly supportive, she says. 'My parents were all for it and even offered to pay for some of the treatment costs. My friends, on the other hand, were shocked initially as they did not know anybody who had had their eggs frozen. 'However, once I explained the procedure to them they were extremely supportive and of great help. You really need a strong support system through a process like this as it is both physically and emotionally challenging.' Article: 26th November 2012 www.dailymail.co.uk

118 MPs may vote against the new Gay Marriage Bill

118 Conservative MPs could potentially vote against government plans to legalise marriage rights for gay couples the Daily Mail has reported. The story was carried large on Saturday’s front page and has been written by the paper’s columnist Andrew Pierce Mr Pierce has previously voiced his opposition to equal marriage despite claiming to be a supporter of gay rights. According to the Mail, 118 out of 303 Conservative MPs have reportedly written to their constituents about their unease over the policy. Unlike Labour and the Lib Dems, Tory MPs have been granted a free vote on the issue. Even if 118 Conservative MPs voted against an equal marriage bill – it would still be likely to pass through the House of Commons as most of Labour and nearly all Lib Dem MPs are expected to back the measure. Conor Burns, the gay Conservative MP for Bournemouth West, Branksome East and Alderney, is cited in the Mail as a key parliamentary opponent. Last month, the MP told the Belfast News Letter that civil partnership legislation had granted gay couples all of the necessary legal entitlements. However, Sky News reports on Saturday that Mr Burns hasn’t decided whether to abstain or vote in favour but says he doesn’t understand why it’s being brought forward now. It is the second time the Daily Mail has splashed heavily on equal marriage in successive days. Claims made by the paper on Thursday evening, that David Cameron was looking to “fast-track” equal marriage legislation have since been downplayed by Whitehall officials. Article: 23rd November 2012 www.pinknews.co.uk

Gay and lesbian families to be given legal protection in Ireland

Ireland to introduce a new bill to give greater protection for gay and lesbian families. Ireland’s Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) has welcomed comments made by Justice Minister Alan Shatter on the need to improve legal provision for gay parents and their children with new legislation. Speaking at an LGBT reception on Wednesday, Mr Shatter confirmed that the Irish government would bring forward new legislation to secure “equal citizenship for lesbian and gay parents”. Mr Shatter announced a comprehensive Family Relationships and Children Bill, to be enacted by the end of 2013, which will provide for relationships of guardianship, custody and access for children in lesbian and gay headed families. The proposed bill will also provide greater financial security for the children of same-sex parents by addressing maintenance and inheritance rights, and issues concerning assisted human reproduction. In response, the chair of GLEN Kieran Rose said: “This is great news for lesbian and gay couples who are parenting children. One of the most urgent issues for these parents is the lack of legal certainty for their families and the lack of protection and security for their children. “The reforms the minister outlined this evening will transform the status of these families, and secure for their children the range of protections and supports available to children in other families.” Article: 21st November 2012 www.pinknews.co.uk

Known sperm donors discussed on Woman's hour

Natalie was interviewed on BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour on Thursday on the topic of private sperm donation. The programme feature NGA client Mark Langridge (the donor who has been pursued for child support by the CSA twelve years after donating his sperm to a lesbian couple) and Laura Witjens, Chief Executive of the National Gamete Donation Trust, with Jenni Murray asking ‘what makes a father’? You can listen to Natalie on Woman’s Hour here. At NGA, we advise many prospective parents (and donors) considering a known donation arrangement, helping them to set things up with the strongest foundations. We sadly also help people whose known donation arrangements have broken down, both representing donors pursued for child support and lesbian and solo parents whose donors seek more involvement than they want. You can find out more about known donation and about known donor disputes.

Test for High Sperm Damage - a leading cause of unexplained infertility

New research from Queen's University Belfast has uncovered the cause of infertility for 80 per cent of couples previously diagnosed with 'unexplained infertility'. In a study of 239 couples with that diagnosis, researchers found that in 80% of cases, the men had high sperm DNA damage. They can now be fast tracked to the appropriate treatment for that specific problem. Every year, about 50,000 couples in the UK require fertility treatment. These findings will save them time, money and heartache, Queen's scientists said. Professor Sheena Lewis from the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences at Queen's, said this was "a huge finding". She said it was a breakthrough rather than a cure, but that it offered "a way to fertility". "For almost one third of couples, until now, there has been no obvious cause for infertility and these couples are given the diagnosis of 'unexplained infertility'," she said. "These couples often invest a lot of time and money in fertility treatments like intra-uterine insemination which are unlikely to be successful. "In our study, we have now had a breakthrough which explains the cause of infertility for many of those couples. "Now that we have found the cause of infertility for these couples, suitable treatments can be tailored for them which will direct them straight to the best treatment and increase their chances of having a baby." Professor Lewis said a million couples across the world were being investigated for infertility every year. Professor Sheena Lewis said this was a "huge finding" "This will save them time, it will save them money and it will save them the heartache of failed fertility treatments," she said. "Nothing is a guarantee but it will give them a better chance." The study also has a second major finding. It is the first study to show that the chances of having a baby after IVF is closely related to the amount of DNA damage a man has in each of his sperm. The university is also working through Lewis Fertility Testing to make the test available to anyone who needs it. The test is also being trialled in China. Professor Lewis said the breakthrough was a result of local talent and was having a global impact. However, Professor Christopher Barratt, professor of reproductive Medicine at the University of Dundee said that most clinics would not test for high sperm damage because of uncertainty over what to do with the results. He also pointed out that although high sperm damage was found in the majority of couples, it may not be the only cause of their fertility problems. "Whether this type of testing predicts which treatment you should is not yet clear. "The question is whether this type of testing is going to help and that is where the evidence needs to be stronger." Article: 14th November 2012 www.bbc.co.uk