My Fertility Plan Blog: Your Conception Action Plan

Finally, something that doesn't cause infertility...

It looked as though every time men turned around (or at least sat down) something caused their little swimmers to go haywire.  Too little sun, too much cellphone use.  Heated car seats, laptops and darn near anything warm that got anywhere near his nether regions.

The good news....wasp stings aren't a problem.

Wasp stings don't cause infertility

 A possible connection between male infertility and allergy to wasp stings has been the subject of a recent study by Swiss scientists. The findings are reassuring, however. Men who have an allergic reaction to wasp stings should be at no higher risk of becoming infertile than those who do not, said a statement issued on Sunday by Bern University Hospital.  The question arose because there is a protein in sperm whose structure is very similar to one found in wasp venom.

So, avoid your laptop, cell phone, briefs, hot tubs, bike seats and go outside, soak up the sun and don't worry about the wasps.  I know you're relieved.

Catch some rays: free way to improve morphology

Evelina and I are all about finding ways to improve your chances of conception on the cheap.

(The IVF coupons still wig us out a little, though)

If you've got blocked tubes or no swimmers at all, all the lifestyle changes in the world aren't gonna help.  But for some folks, lifestyle changes may make the diff.

So when we find info that has at least some research behind it - you'll be the first to know.  After us, I mean.  And the research folks.  You know what I mean.

Ta-dah...

Couples struggling to conceive should consider getting out more, research suggests.

A study found almost a third of men experiencing fertility problems have low levels of vitamin D, the 'sunshine vitamin'.Just spending ten minutes outside in their shirt sleeves would be enough of a boost, according to Anne Clark, the medical director of an Australian fertility centre.

Previous studies have shown vitamin D, produced from natural light and found in oily fish and eggs, is important for a healthy pregnancy.But the latest findings show a deficiency may also affect sperm.

'The results show lifestyle changes can be beneficial,' Dr Clark told the Fertility Society of Australia, in Brisbane. The vitamin D deficiency could have been caused by worries about skin cancer and by men trying to avoid too much exposure to sunshine, Dr Clark said.

She suggested that office workers could absorb enough vitamin D by simply having their morning tea break outside in the sunshine with their sleeves rolled up.

Other basic lifestyle changes such as giving up smoking, losing weight, and reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, would also help. 

In her group, 105 men agreed to the changes, and to take multivitamins and antioxidants for two to three months.Afterwards, tests revealed 'an improvement in the shape of the sperm, which can enhance conception,' said Dr Clark.

In fact, 31 of the men went on to achieve a pregnancy. 

'The results clearly show that lifestyle changes and dietary supplements can be beneficial for the conception of a healthy on-going pregnancy,' her report said.

sunshine+male partner=better sperm.

My fav?  Sunshine's totally free.

be well, friends