Fertility Temple

Joganji, a budhist temple in Japan, is a site where many couples come --some in person, and others by mail or even through their website.  They come here to pray that they will get pregnant. It is a sacred place that is known to answer couples prayers for fertility.  Read more....

Fertility temple rises to the task to help couples sow the seed - Mainichi Daily News

Mainichi Daily News

Fertility temple rises to the task to help couples sow the seed Mainichi Daily News, Japan - 22 hours ago ... 31). Joganji has been around for over 1,000 years, and its reputation for fertilizing fertility extends back almost as long. "When ...

technorati tags:pregnant, fertility

Celebrity Struggles To Conceive

As you can see from this article, difficulty in getting pregnant can strike anyone--even the most popular celebrities.  Read more for the latest on J.Lo's struggles to get pregnant...

J.Lo's Joy Turns To Tragedy - iVillage

J.Lo's Joy Turns To Tragedy iVillage, NY - 5 hours ago ... Now she's back at square one.". "And this failure to conceive hit J.Lo particularly hard because she has been through so much to get pregnant.". ...

technorati tags:fertility, conception

Eat Right For Improved Fertility

Another look at some interesting research for those trying to get pregnant.  Again, diet is being evaluated as to how it affects both libido, and ultimately, fertility...

Poor diet affecting Aussie sex lives - The Age

Poor diet affecting Aussie sex lives The Age,?Australia?- Aug 11, 2006 ... "This is consistent with research that shows being excessively overweight can lead to a depressed sex drive and reduced fertility.". ...

technorati tags:diet, pregnant, fertility

Nutrition Is Key

Some important research for women trying to get pregnan--it discusses the importance of nutrition in very early pregnancy.  This is why pre-conception care is so important--those first few very important weeks of development for the embryo happen before you would know you're pregnant. 

Unmasking Nutrition's Role In Genes And Birth Defects

Expectant mothers may someday get a personalized menu of foods to eat during pregnancy to complement their genetic makeup as a result of new research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

technorati tags:pregnant, nutrition, fertility

Drug To Prevent Infertility From Chemotherapy

For men undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment, there may be a shot they can take which would strengthen the immune system and prevent the damage that is normally done to the testes, which results in infertility. 

"These results hold out much promise for fertility preservation in men undergoing cancer treatments"

Injection May Prevent Infertility In Men Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy

technorati tags:infertility, sterility, pregnant, chemotherapy

The Price of Sugar

According to Deborah Metzger, MD, PhD, coauthor of Stay Fertile Longer,
sugar can have a very negative effect on fertility.  She says....

"Sugar per se doesn't have nutrients in it, so any time you take calories that have sugar, refined flour, or something like that you're being robbed of nutrients. But more important, when you take in something that is broken down quickly, such as white foods, your insulin raises quickly. High insulin levels disrupt the delicate hormonal values in the ovaries so more testosterone is produced, so the quality of egg may not be what is needed. In some women, high insulin levels may cause irregular ovulation, irregular periods, or something commonly known as polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS."

technorati tags:sugar, fertility

Controversy At U.K. Treatment Center

Here's a news story out of the U.K. that's bound to stir up a lot of emotional responses...

Fertility patients to be treated in abortion wards - Femail

Femail

Fertility patients to be treated in abortion wards Femail, UK - 5 hours ago Women undergoing fertility treatment will be forced to share a hospital ward with patients who have been admitted for an abortion. ...

technorati tags:fertility, miscarriage, abortion

Very Early Miscarriage?

This article raises some interesting ideas about the possibility that women who don't even know they are pregnant yet are having early miscarriages, possibly due to high stress.
For women having difficulty conceiving this highlights a real catch22---the failure to conceive certainly causes a lot of stress, which may in turn cause very early miscarriages when you're not even aware you're actually pregnant. Read on for more info...

http://www.aphroditewomenshealth.com/
news/20060120230255_health_news.shtml

technorati tags:pregnant, miscarriage, stress

Get Pregnant - No Sex

Well, maybe sometimes technology does go a bit too far.  The comments on this article at gizmodo on the conception cap poke a little fun at this new gadget.  The price does seem to be a bit steep!

Why go through the messy act of "intercourse" when you can get your wife/girlfriend/lover pregnant the easy way: with a conception cap.

The Conception Cap - Get Pregnant With or Without The Sex - Gizmodo

technorati tags:conception, fertility, pregnant

Vitamin C

It seems some research points to Vitamin C as being quite helpful in improving sperm and helping conception.

Per Dr. Marilyn Glenville, of www.marilynglenville.com,

"Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, and studies show that vitamin C enhances sperm quality, protecting sperm and the DNA within it from damage. Some research has indicated that certain types of DNA damage in the sperm can make it difficult to conceive in the first place, or it can cause an increased risk of miscarriage if conception does take place. If DNA is damaged, there may be a chromosomal problem in the baby, should the pregnancy proceed. Whether or not DNA damage does have these effects has not been conclusively proven, but it's worth taking vitamin C and the other antioxidants as a precautionary measure.

Vitamin C also appears to keep the sperm from clumping together, making them more motile."

technorati tags:sperm, fertility, vitamins

Increase In Twinning

Some new research is showing that there has been a steady increase over the last 80 years in identical twins, whereby the egg naturally splits in two after fertilization.  The increase is occuring in natural conceptions as well as IVF conceptions.  Why is this happening?  Read more....

"Over the last 100 years there has been an increase in identical twinning through the division of the embryo into two, even without IVF"

Better Diet A Factor In Rise Of Twin Pregnancies

technorati tags:twins, fertility, conception, pregnant, infertility

Endometriosis From Too Many Burgers?

Here's a look at some research linking the consumption of red meat to endometriosis, a condition which can cause infertility in women.  In this article, the author is suggesting that women stay away from all red meat if they're trying to get pregnant. 

The message to women is clear: if you want to be able to reproduce, if you want to experience less pain, and if you want to remain disease-free for life, it's time to seriously think about taking red meat out of your diet. No beef, no ham, no pepperoni pizza.

Endometriosis caused by eating red meat and avoiding fresh vegetables, says research; infertility may result

technorati tags:endometriosis, infertility, pregnant

Eastern Medicine

Alternative therapies are becoming much more mainstream in fertility treatment, as more women realize the benefits...

McClatchy/Jackson Clarion-Ledger on Tuesday examined the increasing number of U.S. women "who are turning to alternative, Eastern medicinal arts for problems with infertility, menopause, weight loss and even dry skin."

McClatchy/Jackson Clarion-Ledger Examines U.S. Women's Increasing Use Of Alternative Therapies For Infertility, Health

 

technorati tags:fertility, acupuncture, pregnant

Can Laptops Impair Fertility?

It's fairly common knowledge that men should avoid too much heat around the scrotum, as it may cause damage to the sperm.  This usually translates into a switch from briefs to boxers and avoidance of hot tubs.  Now, with modern technology, there appears to be a new possible threat....the laptop computer!

Speaking on behalf of the British Fertility Society, Dr Allan Pacey, senior lecturer in Andrology at the University of Sheffield, said: "We already know that increasing the temperature of the testicles can affect sperm production.

BBC NEWS | Health | Laptops may damage male fertility

technorati tags:fertility, pregnant, laptop

Over 35?

Some new testing is being performed to help women over 35 determine if their fertility is compromised by age. This is important information since more and more women are delaying childbearing until they are well into their thirties.

Because the biological clocks of women move at various rates, the chances of becoming pregnant also differ. Dr. Peter Ahlering of the Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine (SIRM), said a few simple blood tests and an ultrasound can be used to find out a woman's ovarian reserve, or fertility potential. He notes these tests allow doctors to "identify those patients where their ovaries are acting older than their chronological age."

News 8 Austin | 24 Hour Local News | HEADLINES | New fertility tests for women over 35

technorati tags:fertility, infertility, pregnant, conception

Prevent Preeclampsia

The importance of pre-conception care continues to be stressed in the media.  It has already been determined that folic acid taken for several months prior to conception can significantly decrease the incidence of certain spinal chord defects.  Some new research points to the importance of taking multi-vitamins pre-conception to help prevent pre-eclampsia.  Please read....

Preeclampsia affects about 7 percent of first pregnancies and is a leading cause of premature delivery and maternal and fetal death. Signs of preeclampsia include high blood pressure, protein in the urine and swelling of the hands and feet. Untreated, the condition may progress to the far more serious eclampsia, which can be fatal. Infants born to mothers with preeclampsia have a risk of mortality five times greater than those born to women with normal pregnancies. In the U.S. alone, nearly 15 percent of preterm deliveries are a result of preeclampsia.

Vitamin Use Reduces Preeclampsia Risk

technorati tags:preeclampsia, preconception, pregnant

Fertility Tourism

It has become increasingly common for patients especially from the U.S. and Europe, to travel to other parts of the world to get medical treatments at a reduced cost, often with the added benefit of a beach locale.  In Thailand, there is a new emphasis on providing fertility treatments at a very reduced cost, plus the option of certain treatments not likely to be found elsewhere.  More....

"Among the latest treatments offered is a procedure creating fierce ethical debate and available in just a handful of countries -- a treatment that allows couples to decide whether to give birth to a boy or a girl."

Taipei Times - archives

technorati tags:fertility, tourism, infertiltiy, PGD, pregnant

Easting Disorders Can Prevent Pregnancy

One of the things that can have a huge impact on fertility is your weight--therefore, it is not surprising that women with eating disorders--both anorexia and bulimia--may have substantial difficulty getting pregnant.  Here's a further look...

"A large number of women who are unable to bear children and are thinking of going for latest and expensive fertility techniques can conceive simply by correcting their eating habits, ..."

The Hindu News Update Service

technorati tags:pregnant, fertility, infertility, anorexia, bulimia

Thyroid Problems=Problems Getting Pregnant?

There are two types of thyroid conditions -- hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, and both can contribute to fertility issues. It is still possible to get pregnant with an over or underactive thyroid, but you will need to get medical attention to help you manage the condition. This article gives alot of information about thyroid dysfunction and it's relationship to fertility.

http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/fertilitythy.htm

technorati tags:thyroid, fertility, pregnant

Fertility: Fact Or Myth?

Here's an interesting read on the top 8 myths about conception.  Check out how much you may know...

http://health.discovery.com/centers/pregnancy/americanbaby/eightmyths.html

technorati tags:pregnant, fertility, conception