HomeReproductive Medicine
Reproductive Medicine
Intermittent fasting and its effects on female reproductive hormones – Chicago study
A recent study has shown how intermittent fasting, seen as an effective way to lose weight, might negatively affect women’s reproductive hormones.
The study by...
Men’s age more of an impact on fertility than previously realised – UK study
Usually, the first thing a woman wanting to conceive via fertility treatment will be told is the impact her age will have on her...
Human sperm rapidly affected by diet — small Swedish study
Sperm are influenced by diet and the effects arise rapidly. This is the conclusion of a study by researchers at Linköping University, in which...
Increased risk of certain cancers for children conceived from frozen embryos
When frozen embryos are used during in vitro fertilization (IVF), the resulting children have a slightly higher risk than other kids for certain types...
Paternal smoking associated with lower total sperm counts
The adverse effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy is well established and associated with several negative neonatal outcomes (such as low birth weight and...
Infertility rates double in Switzerland in less than 10 years
Over the last fifty years, a marked decrease in sperm count has been observed in the western world. But what about the situation in...
Older fathers increase pregnancy risk — Rutgers research review
Men who delay starting a family have a ticking “biological clock” – just like women – that may affect the health of their partners...
'Trading on hope’ — Fertility clinics exploit older women
Older women are being exploited by IVF clinics “trading on hope”, the UK’s fertility watchdog has warned.
The Daily Telegraph quotes Sally Cheshire, chair of...
Second potential male birth control pill passes human safety tests
A new experimental male oral contraceptive has been announced, called 11-beta-methyl-19-nortestosterone dodecylcarbonate, or 11-beta-MNTDC. It is a modified testosterone that has the combined actions...
Earlier marijuana smoking linked with higher sperm concentration
Men who have smoked marijuana at some point in their life had significantly higher concentrations of sperm when compared with men who have never...
Unregulated US fertility industry a haven for controversial services
The US fertility industry remains largely unregulated and draws IVF patients from around the world seeking controversial services – not just sex selection, but...
Egg providers changing the way SA thinks about assisted reproduction
There is limited literature addressing assisted reproduction in Africa, yet the continent’s societies are pronatalist, with immense social, economic and religious imperatives to reproduce, writes...
The stigma of male infertility in SA
South Africa, where cultural beliefs can be an obstacle for men seeking health care and for the physicians who provide it, has one of...
Higher levels of stress in women lowers conception odds
A large North American analysis finds that higher levels of stress are associated with lower odds of conception for women, but not for men.
In North...
Greater CVD risk for children conceived through IVF
Children conceived through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and other forms of assisted reproduction are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases which can have life-long...
Hanging loose may boost sperm concentrations by 25%
Men who most frequently wore boxers had significantly higher sperm concentrations and total counts when compared with men who did not, according to research...
Eating nuts improves human sperm — randomised trial
The inclusion of nuts in a regular diet significantly improves the quality and function of human sperm, according to results of a randomised trial...
Trial shows no value to 'endometrial scratch' prior to IVF
An add-on treatment commonly offered to female IVF patients to improve their chance of success has been shown in a large randomised trial to...
Antioxidant supplements make no difference in infertile men
Despite many study results suggesting that antioxidants have a positive effect on abnormal sperm parameters associated with male infertility, a large US clinical trial...
Sugar-sweetened beverage intake linked to lower fecundity
A US study has found that the intake of one or more sugar-sweetened beverages per day – by either partner – associated with a...
New device selects the faster and healthier sperm cells
A new device developed by a team of researchers from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Stanford University uses an 'obstacle course' to sort and select...
Ibuprofen could increase risk of fertility issues in men
Men who take high doses of ibuprofen for months at a time may be at greater risk of fertility issues and also other health...
Cancer survivors 38% less likely to become pregnant – landmark study
Cancer survivors were 38% less likely to achieve a pregnancy than women in the general population, found a large University of Edinburgh study.
For the...
100-year-old technique has 'significant benefits' for fertility
Rates of pregnancy and live births were higher among women who underwent fallopian tube flushing with oil contrast than with water contrast. Almost 40% of...
Failed fertility therapy associated with later increased CVD risk
Women who undergo fertility therapy, but do not get pregnant, have a higher risk of developing long-term cardiovascular disease, compared with women who become...
Phone app that challenges the Pill is approved in EU
A phone app has been granted medical approval to be used as a contraceptive in the European Union in a breakthrough that could spell...
No link between testosterone therapy and cardiac risk
A literature review has found 'no evidence' of a link between testosterone replacement therapy and cardiovascular risk, after the therapy has come under widespread scrutiny, including by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Early menstruation linked to sugar in drinks
A Harvard study has found that girls who frequently consume sugary drinks tend to start their menstrual periods earlier than girls who do not.
Young cannabis smokers risk producing abnormal sperm
Taking cannabis doubles the risk of men under 30 producing abnormal sperm, which could significantly lower their fertility and prevent them from having children....
Stress harmful to sperm and semen quality
Psychological stress is harmful to sperm and semen quality, affecting its concentration, appearance, and ability to fertilise an egg, Health-Canal reports that a study...
Stress linked to infertility and ability to become pregnant
Women under stress find it harder to become pregnant and have higher chances of becoming infertile, compared with women who are more relaxed. The...