Preseed.com Blog

A recent study by Frattarelli et al., 2008 (Fertility & Sterility) found that using sperm from men who were older than 50 yrs old resulted in fewer developing embryos and fewer live births than that seen for younger men.  This study included in vitro fertilization of donor oocytes, so partner age and oocyte quality were not an issue.   Fertilization and early cleavage (or divisions) of the egg were not different between the two age groups of men.  This study suggested a significant decrease in embryo development past early cleavage stages for sperm from older men.  The pregnancy loss rate went from 24% for pregnancies from the < 50 year old men, up to 42% in the over 50 group of men.  The live birth rate per cycle went from 56% in the younger group to 41% in the older group.  Pregnancy loss increases and live birth rate decreases started to shift in patterns around age 51 years.

Other studies have found that sperm DNA damage increases with age in men (Wyrobek et al., 2006 Proc Natl Acad Sci).  And this may be a part of the poor embryo development and pregnancy losses observed in this study. At any rate, it is important that men realize they have a “biological clock” too when it comes to optimizing the chances of a normal pregnancy.  If you are an older man seeking to father children, I would strongly recommend that you have your sperm DNA quality evaluated to ensure it is within normal limits, beginning around age 45 (learn more at www.scsadiagnostics.com).

Take Care-

Dr. E  

This was a fun letter from across the ocean!  Thought I would share it with you all.
Blessings ~ Dr. E

Dear “pre-seeder’s” I’m writing to you from Spain, so than you also have testimonials from other parts of the world. After almost a year TTC I heard about your product in a Spanish fertility website. We had nothing to loose so, I ordered Pre-seed and some ovulation tests. We used just two of the six applicators. Just two!! That was two weeks ago!!! And now I have on my table a positive pregnancy test!!!! I can’t believe it!!! I look at it every minute to check it is for real!!!  When I came by your website I couldn’t believe such “first-use-positives” amount, but, here I am making statistics grow even more!!! Thank you!!! Thank you with all our hearts. Your “magic” has traveled all the way to Europe. We really hope this pregnancy ends up in a baby; but if it’s not that way, at least we know the miracle is possible for us!! WE COULD NEVER THANK YOU ENOUGH!!!  ~ L.O.

Pre~Seed and Pre’ share the same isotonic, pH neutral formula.  Pre~Seed is packaged with applicators for moisturizing inside the vagina including around the cervical opening where sperm are deposited.

Pre’ is packaged in a more traditional lubricant tube, for application on the external genitalia to facilitate entrance during intercourse.

Because they share the same formula, it is not a problem to apply Pre~Seed externally for semen sample collection or foreplay during love making.  Both of our isotonic lubricants contain no oils or small molecules such as glycerin, this makes them safe for sperm, but it also makes them absorb quickly into skin, when used externally.  The best way to work around this, is to use twice the volume of product you would use with a leading lubricant.  For example, if a man is planning to use Pre~Seed or Pre’ for masturbation and semen collection, he should start with an amount of product  at least the size of a quarter if not more.  This should provide lubrication without having to reapply product during collection.

Several independent studies (see our science page) have shown that the Pre~Seed/Pre’ formulas do not harm sperm following contact, as do leading lubricants.  This has allowed our products to receive the first, and currently only, FDA authorized indications of use during fertility interventions,such as semen collection.

Dr. E

An article in May 2008 Sexuality, Reproduction & Menopause reviewed current genetic information on the sexual behavior of women.  The author Burri, discusses female sexual responsiveness in light of different gene studies using twins.  I thought the study was very interesting, because it provides information as to why different women experience their sexuality in such varied ways. 

In particular, the study reported that 32% of women never or rarely achieve orgasm during intercourse, and about a third of the difference between women who readily orgasm during intercourse and those who do not, is linked to genetic differences between these groups of women.

In contrast, about 18% of women reported difficulties with orgasm during masturbation, but 50% of the difference between these women and those who easily orgasm during masturbation  was hereditary.

In general, whether a woman could readily orgasm during intercourse was not well related to ease of doing so during masturbation.

Take Home Messages: 

If orgasm is  a tricky event  for you, don’t rule out self pleasuring during love making, especially if it rarely works for you during intercourse itself. No guy is going to mind watching his wife take care of this. And NO having him do the hand play is not the same thing, unless you have spent a lot of time coaching him.  Masturbation can be a great way to liven up your mutual sex life.  And this is especially true for those of you out there doing this later by yourself, once he falls asleep.  Be brave it will pay off!

A good proportion of those women not having an orgasm during intercourse, are likely not because of technical issues, and not genetics.  It takes communication and courage to try different positions or tell them “that is too rough or not enough or…”.  Most women orgasm more easily on top and it can make the man last longer, too!

We should share our sexual history/knowledge with our daughters.  The media shows such ridiculous portrayals of female sexuality. Girls think they are supposed to be feeling like a cat in heat from one kiss, and that love making should look  like arena Wrestling moves, rather than the actual gentle touching and licking that actually turns women on.  I recently spoke to a group of women in their 30’s.  I was sad to hear many of them say that it just took “too long” for them to orgasm so it was just easier to let the man “go for it” and get it done.  When I asked them what kind of time frame, they were saying “oh fifteen minutes…half an hour”.  This is too long to caress, kiss or touch each other, so that female desire has time to catch up to the man’s arousal?

Turn off the TV folks – your body and pleasure are worth a half an hour or so of intimacy several times a week.   

Take care-

Dr. E