Latest Posts
October 29, 2018 2:53 pm
A new study from the University of Western Australia implies that men who spend more time in the gym have lower sperm count, on average, than those who don’t. The study began by requesting full-body photographs and a semen sample from 118 men. The photographs were then rated by 12 women on how ‘attractive’ and ‘masculine’ the men appeared to be. A further 91 men and women rated the photographs on how strong the men looked. Predictably, the men who appeared stronger were rated as the more attractive and most masculine of the bunch, but their sperm counts were generally lower. The reason why is not particularly clear and more research is necessary to truly understand the correlation. One theory... View Article
October 22, 2018 11:00 am
Although your chances of conceiving a child after you turn 40 are lower than what they were when you were in your 20s and 30s, it is certainly not impossible. In fact, most women who become pregnant in their 40s normally have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. However, there are some important things you should know if you want conceive aged 40+, including associated risks. Fertility in Your 40s As you age, the number of eggs you have in your ovaries declines. What’s more, as you approach menopause, your ovaries are not as responsive to the hormones which are responsible for ovulation. For the same reason, fertility drugs can often be affected. If you are over the age of 40... View Article
October 15, 2018 12:40 pm
Infertility is arguably one of the hardest problems a couple can face. It is accompanied with a variety of difficult emotions and can put an enormous strain on even the strongest of relationships. It’s incredibly important for anyone experiencing infertility to take care of their physical and mental health, particularly if undergoing fertility treatments. Build a Support Network Don’t be afraid to share your story with others and accept their support if it’s offered. What’s more, you need to remember that you and your partner are in this together and you should talk about how you feel. Face it with a united front! Try to be Positive Of course, it’s perfectly okay to be sad; you do not need to... View Article
October 9, 2018 12:39 pm
Male infertility refers to any health issue in a man that reduces the chances of his female partner from becoming pregnant. Infertility can have a number of causes; it can depend on general health, genetics, diet and fitness, to name but a few. Although it is not always treatable, there are ways to boost a man’s sperm count and increase his fertility. 1. Consume Vitamins and Minerals Research has suggested that Vitamin C may improve semen quality and Vitamin D may boost testosterone levels. At Concept Fertility, we highly recommend a healthy diet for both men and women who are trying to conceive, as it’s rich in nutrients and antioxidants. It might also be worth taking vitamin supplements. 2. Cut... View Article
October 1, 2018 10:34 am
Recent research has found that men who wear tighter fitting underwear have lower sperm concentrations than men who wear boxer shorts. To be specific, the results stated that those who wore boxer shorts had a 25% higher sperm concentration, 17% higher total sperm count and 33% more swimming sperm than those who preferred tighter underwear. As with all studies suggesting significant statistical results, it is worth reading them with an element of scepticism. Nevertheless, it is generally accepted from numerous other studies that tight underwear may lead to reduced sperm function. This is the largest study of its kind, with 656 male participants between the ages of 18 and 56, all of whom had visited the hospital between 2000 and... View Article
September 24, 2018 12:33 pm
If you’re feeling anxious about a pending fertility evaluation, we’d like to share what’s involved to help put your mind at rest. There is no need to feel afraid; the tests are necessary to help you on your road to becoming a parent. Most cases of infertility can be understood after a proper evaluation of both partners. Once a diagnosis is reached, appropriate treatments can be discussed. A typical fertility evaluation will involve a previous Semen Analysis if there is a male partner, an Ultrasound Evaluation for the female partner and both medical and sexual histories. If you have any previous investigations reports, you should bring them with you for review. You will both be asked a series of questions,... View Article
September 17, 2018 12:29 pm
The inability for a couple to conceive a child, despite already having had at least one baby in the past, either together or with a previous partner, is called secondary infertility. This shares many of the same causes as primary infertility and can result in an equal amount of emotional turmoil. It can come as a shock to couples who had no problems conceiving in the past to then experience secondary infertility, but it’s not uncommon. We’d like to offer some advice to help those who are struggling with secondary infertility. Accept Your Emotions Frustration, depression, shame and even guilt are common among parents struggling to grow their family, amongst a variety of other difficult emotions. It’s important not to... View Article
September 3, 2018 11:10 am
When a woman is born, she has all the eggs she will ever have; they are gradually lost until menopause, when very few are left and they are not released. Put simply, an antral follicle count indicates how many proto-eggs a woman produces each month, as well as their quality, to reveal her fertility potential. As well as age, this type of test is one of the easiest ways to determine the likelihood of successful fertility treatment. What are Antral Follicles? Antral follicles are found in the ovaries. They are a fluid filled sac, measuring roughly 2-9mm in diameter, containing an immature egg. Once they reach a certain age in a month, antral follicles can be measured and counted during... View Article
August 27, 2018 12:07 pm
According to research carried out on sperm samples at the University Hospital of Zurich in Switzerland, the time of day and year the sperm was produced affects the quality of the sample. The study analysed 12,245 semen samples from over 7000 men, between 1994 and 2015, and considered factors such as sperm concentration, progressive motility, sperm shape and total sperm count. It is important to note that the causes of the following discrepancies are not certain, particularly as there was limited data on the late evening when sexual activity tends to be at its highest. Samples collected between the hours of 5am and 7.30am were found to display a statistically higher sperm concentration, total sperm count and a greater percentage... View Article
August 20, 2018 9:03 am
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), or Artificial Insemination, is a type of fertility treatment that involves the direct insertion of sperm into a woman’s womb (uterus) using a thin catheter. The main purpose of Intrauterine Insemination is to increase the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes, thus increasing the chances of fertilisation. It is a very low risk procedure. The process is usually performed just before ovulation and takes around 10 minutes. It is normally pain free, although you may experience some minor cramping, not dissimilar to period pains. Before the insertion, the semen is prepared in a lab to ensure only the best quality sperm is used. Semen contains more than just sperm, so it has to be “washed”... View Article
