Preseed.com Blog

The June 2009 Fertility & Sterility Journal has an interesting new paper by Chambers et al (91:2281-2294).  In this they compared economic aspects of assisted reproduction technologies in several countries.   The statistics are good for people to review.  Specifically, the cost per live birth for an IVF baby was the highest in the US at $41,132 (average per cycle cost of $12,513).  This represented 50% of disposable income in the US, and was  the highest percentage of any country.  Meanwhile only 24% of estimated demand for ART was met in North America.  Not surprisingly, given the news stories around this, the US also has the highest  overall multiple birth delivery rate at 33%, as compared to 17% in Scandinavia, Japan or Australia.    

The US media fixates an inordinate amount of attention on assisted reproduction as “the cure” for infertility, when in reality only about 1.5% of all children are born from assisted reproduction and over 95% of infertile couples do not pursue these technologies.  Although these techniques certainly have blessed many couples with children, who otherwise would not have become parents; it is important for us to realize the low success rates (~28% per cycle)and high cost in dollars and in complications for the offspring (especially with multiple births).

Methods to optimize fertility through natural reproduction and less invasive procedures should continue to be developed.  But it is important to remember that the assisted reproduction industry has a strong incentive to push couples to in vitro methods, especially when much of it is paid for out of pocket.

Tracking your cycle and optimizing timing of intercourse by understanding your own cervical mucus production is critical.  I strongly recommend Toni Weschler’s book.  Taking fertility vitamins such as the FertilAid products can help boost cervical mucus production and sperm quality.  Have testing to ensure your Fallopian tubes are open early in the process.  And read a good resource on optimizing the whole process such as Dr. Robert Greene’s book.  I do not sell any of the above products.

We do sell Pre-Seed.  Which we think everyone who is trying to conceive should at least try J.  It doesn’t harm sperm or embryos, so there is nothing to lose, and the amazing Users’ Stories we receive tell of Pre-Seed’s role in assisting folks on their TTC journey.   

Pre-Seed is designed to be INSERTED INTRAVAGINALLY.  This is for a reason.  It mimics fertile cervical mucus in pH, osmolality and thickness making a familiar optimal environment for the ejaculated sperm.

I am always amazed at the stories of women splitting applicators and not using the Pre-Seed internally as it was designed.  I am not quite sure why they would want to use the product other than as it is recommended and as has functioned so well for thousands of other couples.  To save the cost of latte, at the same time they are literally standing on their heads to become pregnant.

Remember our products always carry their “Love it or its Free” guarantee.  Of the approximately 150,000 boxes of Pre-Seed sold last year, less than 0.01% were returned for a refund.  

So the math is in your favor to try Pre-Seed and to use it as recommended.

Blessings ~
Dr. E

An excellent review article was just published from our good colleagues at the Cleveland Clinic,  “Role of antioxidants in the treatment of male infertility” by JC Kefer, A Agarwal & E Sabanegh, International Journal of Urology (2009) 16, 449–457.

The paper nicely reviews some of the external sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can negatively impact male fertility.

Specifically addressing:

• Industrial compounds:  “For example, the compound phthalate is found in a broad spectrum of plastics used in food packaging, as well as beauty products and exposure to this chemical can occur via oral, skin, or inhalational routes. Phthalate exposure has been shown to cause DNA damage in sperm, as well as impaired spermatogenesis.”
• Cigarette smoking:  Not surprisingly, men who smoke have decreased sperm quality, including “decreased sperm counts, motility, and morphologically normal sperm”.
• Exercise-induced oxidative stress:  Both lack of exercise and intensive levels of exercise have both been shown to generate high levels of oxidative stress and may interfere with sperm production. “For example, Manna et al. have described in a rodent model that increased levels of exercise correspond to a reduction in sperm quality and testicular function, including decreased sperm counts, testosterone levels, and testicular oxidative stress”. 
• Elevated temperatures:  Men with a fever showed a 35% decrease in sperm concentration, a 7% decrease in normal morphology, and a 20% increase in immotile sperm following febrile episodes. Also, these parameters worsened with increased duration of the febrile episodes. “Tiemessen et al. examined the relationship between underwear style and intrascrotal temperatures, and hypothesized that scrotal hyperthermia due to tight-fitting underwear may cause decreased sperm parameters. The authors followed 20 patients wearing loose-fitting underwear for 6 months and tight underwear for 6 months with semen samples analyzed every 2 weeks for one year.  Although 50% of patients did not complete the study, the results nonetheless demonstrated an approximately 50% decrease in sperm parameters in the group wearing the tight-fitting underwear, which improved after switching to loose underwear. This rapid reversal of sperm parameters following cessation of tight-fitting underwear is encouraging, and may be useful in the counseling of the infertile male.”

This paper goes on to have an excellent review of the studies evaluating the impact of antioxidant vitamins on sperm quality for trying to conceive men.  Fertility vitamins such as FertilAid for Men, have these antioxidants in them and are probably a good choice for most men to take while trying to conceive.

Cheers ~
Dr. E

We want to know all the interesting places in the world Pre-Seed and Pre are part of your lives! 

Send us your photo of Pre~Seed or Pre’ in the interesting places you live or travel to, and INGfertility will chose two monthly winners for a free box of product.  These will include one winning photo for exotic international locations and one for photos and love “Made in the USA” ;-)  

Winners will be chosen on the 15^th of each month. 

Please email us at orders@ingfertility.com with:

• Your photo
• Your contact info (include your name, shipping address and phone number)
• The location of your Pre~Seed or Pre’
• And a little about your life journey.

Don’t worry we never provide your contact information to anyone, and we will  only use initials and hometown when posting the photos. 

Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.

Click here to read a fun post about how this whole Traveling Lube thing got started: We want to know all the interesting places in the world Pre-Seed and Pre are part of your lives!