01/07/2009 by admin.

There has been a lot of coverage of male fertility issues in the news this week, so I thought it would be worth doing a quick review of the info and some tips for improving male fertility

The good news is a recent study has shown that having sex frequently is good for male fertility.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5697634/Couples-trying-for-baby-should-have-sex-daily.html

Not so good news is that extreme cycling is very bad for fertility. Read this article if you guy spends a lot of time cycling, even if its at the gym.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8124458.stm

And those laptops are still causing problems !

http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20090515023655data_trunc_sys.shtml

Tips for maximising male fertility:

• Avoid anything that gets the testicles over heated, as excess heat can damage sperm-this is why the testicles are external and not inside the body. Things that may cause overheating are:laptops on the lap, saunas, hot baths, tight underwear, cycling, medical conditions such as varicoele (varicose veins in scrotum-if you think you have this see your doctor)
• Stop smoking as smokers have higher incidence of sperm problems
• Keep alcohol consumption within safe limits
• Eat a balanced healthy diet high in antioxidants, eat lots of fruit and veg & cut down on the meat-make sure he gets his 5 a day. A recent Spanish study has shown that men who eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, in particular peppers, spinach and citrus fruits, have higher quality and faster swimming sperm. http://www.bionews.org.uk/new.lasso?storyid=4397
• Check if he is on any medication that may damage sperm eg antidepressants, check with your doctor http://www.naturalnews.com/026483_SSRI_fertility_DNA.html
• Exercise moderately-remember keep those testicles cool, and wear loose fitting boxers and clothes. May be best to avoid the tight lycra
• Avoid recreational drug use-research has shown that cannabis may reduce male fertility http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3586115.stm
• Taking a multivitamin containing L-Cartinine may help eg Wellman

Click here to find out more about male fertility supplements

Click here to find out about home male fertility testing

Posted in Male Fertility, Male Infertility, Fertility Tips, Smoking & Fertility, Sperm Motility, Male Fertility Test, Sperm, Male Fertility Issues | No Comments »

26/06/2009 by admin.

We all like a bargain, so until end of June 2009 we have added FREE 1st class UK delivery. You do not need a coupon code to get this offer. Simply select 1st class standard delivery as your shipping choice at the checkout

This offer only applies to standard 1st class UK deliveries and does not apply to 1st class recorded or Express Delivery

Happy Shopping

p.s remember to use coupon code bloom to get a 5% discount on goods when spending over £5

Whoops almost forgot the website addresses-offers apply at both of these websites below

www.accessdiagnostic.co.uk

www.accessdiagnostics.co.uk

Posted in Free Delivery Offer, Access Diagnostics Coupon Code | No Comments »

22/06/2009 by kat.

Hey folks,

I’m one of your guest fertility bloggers – here to talk through my journey, in the hope you find it interesting/useful/entertaining.

A bit about me:

I’m 31, and the hubby is 30. We started TTC last March (2008), and so far we’ve had absolutely no joy. We’re now into the world of fertility investigations – both have had blood tests, hubby’s had the sperm checks, I’ve had the internal scans, and we have our second consultant appointment in a couple of weeks. Here’s what we know so far:

GP told me bloods suggested no ovulation, but consultant disagrees. Initial scan result suggested endometriosis but the doc who did second scan disagrees – thinks it’s just a dermoid cyst. So if that’s right, then I’m pretty much in the clear which is great news! Just working on getting my weight down to a healthy BMI - I’ve lost 1 1/2 stone in the last 6 months, but still a way to go and if IVF becomes the road we go down then I want to be in the best possible physical shape (plus, as I tell myself every month - if I can’t be pregnant I can be skinny!).  

Hubby’s initial sperm analysis not so positive – he had a count of 0.4m per ml (I think that’s the right measure – the number’s definitely right though!) vs a normal 20m, at which point there’s apparently not any point in discussing motility etc. (although that was also bad). He’s back for a second test this week, with a different methodology, and I’m really hoping for good news from that one otherwise we have some tough decisions to make.

I found it quite hard to find info about male infertility – our GP jumped straight to ICSI as a solution, while the consultant was able to discuss possible causes & treatments, which was such a different mindset. Even on the internet I found a limited amount of useful info. I’ll post more about our experiences as we go in the hope that it’s of use to someone else in a similar boat – and I’ll probably also post the occasional weight loss update, wobbly comment about the emotional side of TTC and anything else that seems relevant!

Posted in Guest blogger | 2 Comments »

22/06/2009 by admin.

We have some guest fertility bloggers who are going through fertility investigations coming on line in the near future so watch this space.

We are also looking for fertility experts

Are you working in a field of fertility or are in complementary medicine, and would like to share your knowledge and wisdom with our readers ? Would you like to blog as a guest on our fertility blog ?

If the answer is yes please e-mail us or post in comments and we will e-mail you.

Any e-mail address or personal info you leave in comments is kept private

Posted in Fertility Experts, Guest blogger | No Comments »

18/06/2009 by admin.

 Just read this article at BBC online. What really surprised me was the statistic that only 27% of NHS trusts offer 3 cycles. Talk about postcode lottery for IVF

Here is the link to the article-extract from article below

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8106828.stm

Over a quarter of local health bodies are offering the recommended three free cycles of fertility treatment to couples trying to have a child.

The Department of Health said 27% of English primary care trusts offer three cycles - up from just 5% in 2007.

Health minister Gillian Merron said the health service was making “excellent progress” in improving IVF access.

Patient groups welcomed the increase, but said there was still “a long way to go”.

Posted in Fertility news, IVF | No Comments »

18/06/2009 by admin.

Just a quick reminder of ourt current coupon code.

We know many of you are having to watch the pennies and we all love a bargain.

Use online coupon code bloom  to receive a 5% discount at any of our fertility sites below

www.accessdiagnostic.co.uk

www.accessdiagnostics.co.uk

Please feel free to pass our coupon codes onto family and friends, chat groups etc

• Coupons valid until end of July 2009. 

• One coupon per order

• Coupons can be used multiple times

To use coupon code enter the code exactly as it is typed above and then click update

The coupon may also be used at www.value-med.co.uk and www.buyclearblue.co.uk

Posted in Access Diagnostics Coupon Code | No Comments »

17/06/2009 by admin.

Are you undergoing fertility investigations or fertility treatments now or in the near future ?

Would you like to blog as a guest on our fertility blog ?

If the answer is yes please e-mail us or post in comments and we will e-mail you.

Any e-mail address or personal info you leave in comments is kept private

In return for your posts we will keep you supplied with fertility products and early pregnancy tests, as well as lots of support and advice.

Ideally you need to be in UK so we can mail your freebies to you easily, however if you are outside UK and would like to become a guest blogger please contact us

Posted in Guest blogger | No Comments »

16/06/2009 by admin.

That 2 weeks can seem an eternity so here are some ideas to make the time pass more quickly.  

• throw yourself into work
• meet up with friends for lunch, or even better shopping and lunch
• book a pamper session for yourself-manicure, facial,eyebrows etc
• read a good chick lit novel or two-pure escapism-make sure its nothing to do with babies though-good raunchy fun is best
• read a magazine you would not normally buy-something escapist-whatever takes your fancy !
• watch some good chick flicks either with your significant other or with a girlfriend
• take up a new hobby
• get your haircut-maybe try a new style
• catch up on those things you have been putting off for ages
• consider getting a massage or trying an alternative therapy
• do things that relax you and recharge your batteries
• watch comedy shows on TV or dvd-laughter really is the best medicine
• have some fun-what do you love to do ?
• buy yourself some flowers or pick some from the garden-fresh flowers always lift the spirits
• maybe have a weekend away-visit friends or family (only if this is fun mind !)
• cook yourself some good wholesome food-eat plenty of fresh and colourful fruit and veg
• get out in the fresh air-sunshine and fresh air are great for our minds and bodies
• try to focus on the great things in your life
• appreciate the little things others do for you
• join an online support group for friendship and chat
• listen to an audiobook on positive thinking /living-they can be very inspiring
• go on  a date with your significant other and talk about happy times and plan for the future
• start a blog or journal

This is just a few ideas that I have found helpful when the going gets tough. If you have any please feel free to post them in comments

Posted in 2WW | 1 Comment »

16/06/2009 by admin.

POAS (peeing on a stick)

Here are 10 quick tips:

1) Don’t do the pregnancy test too early-although it is very tempting to do this the results will be negative if you test too early. The earliest hcg (the pregnancy hormone) can be detected in a urine test is about 7-10 days post ovulation. At this time the hcg levels are sufficiently high to register on a home pregnancy test.

2) Test on your first morning urine sample (more concentrated)

3) Be prepared to retest if the test is negative-leave it about 48 hrs before retesting if you can bear to wait that long

4) The more sensitive the test  the earlier it will give you a positive pregnancy test. Look at the mIU sensitivity of the test-the lower the mIU level the more sensitive the test ie it detects lower levels of hormone

5) Pregnancy test strips are much cheaper and better value for money to buy than midstream pregnancy tests and just as accurate. They have much less packaging and so are also more eco friendly

6) Get everything you need ready before you perform the test-you will need a container to collect the urine in if using strip pregnancy tests

7) Read the instructions before you perform the test. This sounds obvious, but is surprising how often we only read the instructions when something goes wrong-not all test are the same

Timing is everything. Make sure you read the test result after the designated time. A timer may well come in handy.

9) Disregard any results that appear after the test time

10) Confirm your result after 48 hours

Click here to visit our fertility site and view all home pregnancy tests

Posted in Peeing on a stick, POAS, Pregnancy Tests | No Comments »

11/06/2009 by admin.

Just read this interesting story online about how fertilty retreats run by alternative medicine practioners are helping couples to conceive. 

Stress may be a factor in many cases of unexplained fertility. We all know cases of couples who have had difficulty conceiving, and may have been referred for IVF who then take a holiday from trying to conceive while waiting for their appointment. Many go on a holiday thinking this may be their last chance before starting treatment and then conceive on holiday!

A friend of mine had been trying for some time, had been through several cycles of IVF without success. They had almost given up-then her partner bought a gorgeous 2 seater sports car. We joked that she was now bound to conceive-and she did on her next cycle of IVF ! They are now the proud parents of a lovely baby boy. She also had accupuncture weekly during this cycle.

Here is the link to the fertility retreats story

http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,25590988-5014090,00.html

Posted in Alternative medicine, Accupuncture and IVF, Alternative Therapies & Fertility | No Comments »

10/06/2009 by admin.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA for short) is the UK’s independent regulator overseeing the use of gametes and embryos in fertility treatment and research.

The HFEA licenses fertility clinics and centres carrying out in vitro fertilisation (IVF), other assisted conception procedures and human embryo research.

If you want to find out more about assisted reproduction and IVF this is a good place to start.

They have a ‘find a clinic near you’ search in which you simply enter your postcode to find out about clinics and services in your area.

 There is also lots of information about IVF and assisted reproduction including IVF success rates, frequently asked questions, who is eligible for NHS treatment and lots more

I am going to add the website to our blogroll

http://www.hfea.gov.uk/

Posted in Assisted reproduction, HFEA, IVF | No Comments »

09/06/2009 by admin.

This is a question we have been asked several times in the last week:

Message:Zestica and Pre-Seed
Can you tell me the difference between these two products please? Thank you. 

Mrs B  8/6/09

Here is our reply:

Thank you for your e-mail.
They are both sperm friendly personal lubricants with different formulas. Currently the Zestica is only available as an external application
spray-ideal for foreplay and external application to either man or womenThe Pre-Seed is available with internal applicators and is ideal for those
with low cervical mucus levelsHope this info helpsIf you need any more advice please do not hesitate to e-mail us.Kind regards,
Customer Services
Access Diagnostic Tests UK Limited

 For more info on Zestica Fertility lubricant click here  For more info on Pre-Seed and how it works click here

Posted in Sperm Friendly Lubricants, Fertility Lubricant | No Comments »

07/06/2009 by admin.

5 tips to maximise his fertility

1) Make sure he eats a healthy diet-consider a vitamin and mineral supplement designed to support male fertility

2) Get him to give up smoking

3) Avoid tight fitting underwear or trousers (and anything else that may raise testicular temperature) no saunas and keep the laptop off his lap !

4) Avoid recreational drugs, keep alcohol consumption within safe limits

5) Does he have any underlying medical condition that could affect fertility eg varicoele (varicose veins in scrotum), chlamydia or any other illness. If concerned book appointment with doctor for check up.

Click here to view male fertility supplements, fertility tests & fertility products

Posted in Male Fertility Test, Male Fertility Issues | No Comments »

05/06/2009 by admin.

What is my BBT ?

Your basal body temperature (BBT for short ) is your resting body temperature ie your temperature when you are at rest.

When is the best time to measure my BBT ?

For most women the best time to measure the BBT is first thing in the morning when you wake, before you get out of bed, and before you do anything at all.

How do I measure my BBT ?

You will need to use a high accuracy clinical thermometer- the easiest to use is a digital thermometer that measures to 2 decimal places

Where do I put the thermometer to measure my BBT ?

For most women the best & simplest place to measure your BBT is under your tongue

How long do I leave the digital thermometer under my tongue ?

Most digital thermometers will beep when they have reached a stable temperature, making it quick and easy to know when to remove the thermometer. It usually takes around 1-2 minutes for this to happen.

What do I do with the basal body temperature results ?

You will need to chart the BBT results on a temperature chart , so that you will be able to see the pattern develop.

Here is an example of a BBT chart

Is there anything I should not do when doing my BBT ?

Moving around, eating, drinking, smoking & even talking will raise your temperature, so make sure you do the temperature immediately upon waking each morning. If possible measure it while you are still “half asleep”.

What else can raise my basal temperature apart from ovulation ?

Illness if associated with fever will alter your resting temperature making interpretation of results problematic.

How does BBT charting help me predict my fertile time ?

Charting your basal temperature is helpful in determining whether and when ovulation occurs. Ovulation is the release of an egg (ovum) from the ovary and usually happens only once in each menstrual cycle. Conception can take place only if intercourse takes place immedictaely before , during or immediately after you ovulate.

By carefully recording your basal temperature when you first awaken, you will begin to notice a pattern of temperature fluctuation in your monthly cycle. The slight increase in basal temperature is an indication of ovulation or fertility.

Do I need a special thermoeter for BBT charting ?

You may use any clinical thermometer, as long as it is high accuracy. As the temperature change you are looking for is very small, it is best to use a thermometer that shows very small fluctuations in temperature.

Many women find it simpler to use a high accuracy digital thermometer rather than a glass thermometer, as they are quick and simple to interpret, and they beep when they reach a steady temperature. Glass thermometers can also be fragile.

Click here to find out more about high accuracy digital thermometers suitable for BBT or to buy one

Click here to visit babycentre who have free BBT charts that you can download and print

Posted in Fertile Time, Basal Body Temperature, BBT | No Comments »

04/06/2009 by admin.

Mark Smith the deputy business editor at The Herald has very kindly given us permission to reproduce this article in full, in our fertility blog. The article was published in The Herald on 15th May 2009 & is about the new fertility lubricant Zestica fertility and the UK company that has developed it Burdica. The Herald is one of Scotland’s leading daily quality newspapers.

The article was written by Mark Smith deputy business editor at The Herald

Here is the article in full:

Scottish life sciences fledgling Burdica Biomed yesterday announced the launch of a new fertility treatment - its first product - on the back of a £200,000 funding round completed at the end of last month.

The product, called Zestica, is the first fertility lubricant using hyaluronic acid, a natural substance the St Andrews-based company is developing for therapeutic applications.

The two-year-old company said it was also developing hyaluronic acid into a product that acts as a kind of “natural botox”.

Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in between the cells of many types of body tissue in all animals.

It has important functions in different types of tissues, for example, it contributes to the lubricating properties of the fluid in joints, is involved in the repair processes of skin tissue and has a role in creating the elastic properties of cartilage.

The firm said Zestica was focused on the use of hyaluronic acid in enhancing fertility for couples trying to conceive.

The company said the product is the “first fertility lubricant to use the properties of hyaluronic acid in supporting the motility and fertilising capacity of sperm”.

Kevin Burd, the Californian co-founder of the company, yesterday told The Herald that he expected the firm to sell more than one million units of Zestica over the next 12 months, which in turn would generate “a seven- figure sum” for Burdica Biomed.

He said the product, which the company manufactures in Lancaster, had already been awarded European CE Mark approval, and that later this year it will file an application with the US Food and Drug Administration as part of a strategy to “address the USA and other international markets”.

Burd added that Zestica had undergone extensive clinical trials at Dundee’s bioscience hub and he said it had proved more effective than its “one competitor”.

“The product was launched at the beginning of the month and already we’ve had several thousand sales,” he said.

The company’s funding round included £100,000 from the Scottish Government under the SMART programme, with the remainder coming from six unnamed Scottish businessmen.

Asked if Burdica planned to seek further funding, Burd said: “I don’t think we’ll need it. We expect to have enough from our sales alone.”

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. 

Article written by Mark Smith Deputy Business Editor at The Herald
 

Posted in Burdica, Sperm Friendly Lubricants, Zestica, Fertility Lubricant | 1 Comment »

04/06/2009 by admin.

Click on this link below for FAQ on home pregnancy tests including ultra early pregnancy tests

http://www.accessdiagnostic.co.uk/acatalog/FAQ.html

Posted in FAQ, Pregnancy Tests | No Comments »

03/06/2009 by admin.

Click on the link below to read all about Zestica, how it works, the extensive clinical trials it has undergone at Dundee’s bioscience hub and how it is helping couples trying to conceive

http://www.theherald.co.uk/business/news/display.var.2508174.0.Burdica_Biomed_launches_fertility_treatment_on_back_of_200_000_funding.php

Click here to buy Zestica Fertility lubricant online

Posted in Sperm Friendly Lubricants, Zestica, Fertility Lubricant | No Comments »

03/06/2009 by admin.

Have you visited our Zestica information website yet

http://www.zestica-fertility.co.uk/

Posted in Sperm Friendly Lubricants, Zestica, Fertility Lubricant | No Comments »

03/06/2009 by admin.

Just got the link to the doctors lounge from a friend on Twitter, to this study that is going to be conducted at Imperial College London

Understanding the link between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance is the aim of a new project announced today, funded by the charity WellBeing of Women.

It is known that women with PCOS have a 3-fold increase in their risk of developing type-2 diabetes, where the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly. Insulin resistance is an important factor in the condition, which is the most common female hormone disorder. PCOS affects between 5 and 10 per cent of women and is a major cause of infertility.

The new £97K project aims to identify a defective point on the insulin signalling pathway in women with PCOS. The researchers, from Imperial College London, hope this will enable the development of new therapies which target this part of the pathway, to counter the insulin resistance and the fertility problems that PCOS can cause.

Click on the link to read full article  http://www.doctorslounge.com/endocrinology/news/pcos_insulin_resistance.shtml

Posted in Insulin resistance, PCOS, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome | No Comments »

03/06/2009 by admin.

Is there an alternative for couples who don’t want IVF? NaPro Technology claims to be less invasive, cheaper and more successful

For anyone who has visited the plush offices of a private IVF consultant, arriving at the HQ of FertilityCare may seem underwhelming. Housed in a small, flat-roof extension of a Victorian building on a side street in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, the rooms are small, sparsely furnished and anonymous; there is no sign of the obligatory pinboard crammed with snaps of babies — a reassuring testament to any clinic’s success rate. “We haven’t got round to putting that up yet,” says Dr Anne Carus, the medical consultant, apologetically. The company has been in its new offices for a only few months.

FertilityCare does not offer IVF to its clients, but is the UK’s biggest provider of NaPro Technology, or Natural Procreative Technology (NPT). Developed and still mainly taught at the Pope Paul VI Institute in Nebraska, NPT is offered to couples as an “ethical alternative” to assisted reproductive techniques. As it is a Roman Catholic organisation, the couples must be married. There is no egg selection, no donor insemination and no embryo wastage.

It has been embraced enthusiastically in countries with large Catholic populations, such as the US, the Irish Republic and Poland, and claims to have a success rate that equals or even betters that of IVF, but promises to be much less invasive. Now, after years on the fringes of fertility treatment, NaPro is slowly establishing itself in Britain.

extract from Times online article-click link to read full article

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article6342054.ece

Posted in Natural Procreative Technology, NPT, Natural Fertility Methods | No Comments »

02/06/2009 by admin.

Summmer has finally arrived in the UK and it is hot and everything is blooming-we love summer

Use online coupon code bloom  to receive a 5% discount at any of our fertility sites below

www.accessdiagnostic.co.uk

www.accessdiagnostics.co.uk

Please feel free to pass our coupon codes onto family and friends, chat groups etc

• Coupons valid until end of July 2009. 

• One coupon per order

• Coupons can be used multiple times

To use coupon code enter the code exactly as it is typed above and then click update

The coupon may also be used at www.value-med.co.uk and www.buyclearblue.co.uk

If you are a member of a specialist fertility, ttc chat group or support group that would benefit from  discount coupons specific for that group that last 12 months, please let us know by e-mail to kate@adtuk.co.uk

Posted in Access Diagnostics Coupon Code | No Comments »

21/05/2009 by admin.

Thought this might be a useful round up of common shorthand terms used online in fertility forums & fertility groups. If you have any more please post in comments

Lets start with some easy ones:

TTC=Trying To Conceive

LMP= Last Menstrual Period

BBT= Basal body temperature

AF =Aunt Flo (your period)

PG= Pregnant

2WW= 2 week wait (ie the time from ovulation to when your period is due)

POAS= Peeing On A Stick (commonly used in fertility groups )

BFN= Big fat negative

BFP= Big fat positive

SA= Sperm analysis

Now for some more medical fertility abbrevaitions:

IVF = In Vitro Fertilisation

AI =Artificial insemination

AIH Artificial insemination with husbands sperm

AID Artificial insemination with donor sperm

AR=Assisted Reproduction

ART=Assisted Reproduction Technology

U/S=Ultra Sound scan

HCG= Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (the pregnancy hormone that pregnancy tests detect)

LH= Luteinising Hormone (the LH surge occurs just before ovulation and is the hormone trigger to release the egg-this is the hormone that urine ovulation tests detect)

FSH=Follicle Stimulating Hormone (hormone that causes the egg follicle to develop)

CM= Cervical mucus

EWCM= Eggwhite cervical mucus  (fertile mucus) 

PCOS=PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome

PGD=Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (this means they take the eggs and test them for genetic disorders and only implant the healthly ones through IVF)

CVS Chorionic villae sampling

CVS= Chorionic Villus Sampling

ENDO= Endometriosis

If you know any more please post them in comments

Posted in fertility Abreviations, Fertility Forums | 1 Comment »

20/05/2009 by admin.

Being overweight can affect your fertility adversely (as can being underweight).

Just read this great article online about how decluttering and a few simple lifestyle changes can help you to lose weight without having to go on a ‘diet’.

Click on link below to read this article

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/2009/03/09/20090309housefat0309.html

for help and motivation with decluttering 15 minutes at a time

visit http://www.flylady.net/

Posted in Weight loss, lifestyle and fertility | No Comments »

18/05/2009 by admin.

Here is a common question we are are asked

‘I am a bit confused!  I need a vaginal lubricant that is fertility friendly and as natural as possible.  I don’t know which to choose.’

If you need to apply the lubricant intravaginally or if you have low cervical mucus levels use Pre-Seed (Zestica Fertility is not currently available with intravaginal applicators)
http://www.accessdiagnostic.co.uk/acatalog/PRE-SEED-UK.html

If you just need the lubricant for foreplay and to apply to your partner then look at Zestica which is ideal for external application. Zestica Fertility will soon be available in intravaginal applicators

http://www.accessdiagnostic.co.uk/acatalog/Zestica_Fertility_Sperm_Freindly_Fertility_Lubricant.html
For more info on Pre-Seed fertility friendly lubricant see link below 

http://www.pre-seed.info/

Posted in Fertility Lubricant | No Comments »

17/05/2009 by admin.

This Cutting Edge film explores the extraordinary world of serial surrogates and asks what motivates them to continue to have babies for other people. Is it money, altruism - or something far more complex?

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/addicted-to-surrogacy

Posted in Surrogacy | No Comments »

15/05/2009 by admin.

5 quick tips to fill yourself up :

1) Do something different-if you are at home all day-get out of the house for the day, if you at work all week plan some down time at home. If you look after young children all week plan some child free time-just do something different.

2) Go shopping with a girlfriend and have fun. Set yourself a budget & treat yourself to something that makes your feel glam-even if its just some dangly earrings, some pretty bangles or a scarf (the boho ethnic look is very big this season & there are lots of inexpensive ways to spice up your wardrobe by injecting a little boho chic)

3) Pamper yourself. Make time for a long bubble bath, shave your legs, do your nails, get the rough skin off your feet. You will feel gorgeous.

4) Read something you love-doe not matter what. Make the time this weekend to read a book or magazine. its raining this weekend in UK so perfect opportunity.

5) Have a special meal out with your significant other or to cook a special meal together (I prefer the meal out option-no dishes-the Tesco or M&S meal deals are nice and easy to cook at home)

Posted in Running on empty, doing things differently, Loving yourself, Stress relief | No Comments »

13/05/2009 by admin.

Here are just a few tips taken from a new book, Spent: End Exhaustion and Feel Great Again that will help you to reset your body clock and rediscover your natural rhythm.

* Get some natural light during the day by going for a walk, preferably in nature.

* Keep a consistent daily schedule. Get up at the same time every day, regardless of what time you go to bed.

* Have an “electronic sundown”. At around 10 pm, turn off your computer, TV and all electronic equipment.

* Darken your room completely. That means covering or turning off any of the blinking or glowing lights from the alarm clock, the cell phone charger, the DVD clock and timer, etc. Each little bit of light can stop your melatonin levels from rising, which you need to induce sleep and to reach the deep restorative sleep your body requires. If you can’t darken your room, wear an eye mask.

* Eat in accordance to your body’s rhythms. Since your metabolism peaks at about noon, it is better for your body to have a bigger breakfast and lunch and smaller dinner. Eat good fats and protein for breakfast because that is what your body needs for fuel during the day. Healthy smoothies are a great way to get both of these into your diet. The typical sugar and carb-laden breakfast of a bagel, muffin, toast or sugary cereal are just about the worst things you can have; so avoid those at all costs.

Click on this link to find out more & to read the full article

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-frank-lipman/feeling-spent-5-easy-ways_b_202627.html

Posted in Loving yourself, Self care, lifestyle and fertility, Stress relief, Womens Health, Stress | No Comments »

13/05/2009 by admin.

Just read this article in Daily Mail online

Chemicals in food, cosmetics and cleaning products are ‘feminising’ unborn boys and raising their risk of cancer and infertility later in life, an expert warns today.

Professor Richard Sharpe, one of Britain’s leading reproductive biologists, says everyday substances are linked to soaring rates of birth defects and testicular cancer, and to falling sperm counts.

The government adviser’s report published today is the most detailed yet into the threat posed to baby boys by chemicals that block the action of the male sex hormone testosterone, or mimic the female sex hormone oestrogen.

Professor Sharpe says many could be harmless on their own - but warned that their cumulative effect could be devastating for developing foetuses and warned women trying for a child to avoid them.

‘You can’t do anything about chemicals in the environment but you can control what you expose a baby to through your lifestyle choices,’ he said.

Read the full article here

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1180957/Gender-bending-chemical-timebomb-fear-boys-fertility.html

Posted in Chemicals & fertility, Fertility research, lifestyle and fertility, Pregnancy, Male Fertility Issues | No Comments »

12/05/2009 by admin.

Access Diagnostics Newsletter May 2009

News from Access Diagnostics:

We are now on Twitter. http://twitter.com/ADTUK

Follow us on Twitter to keep abreast of fertility news & research, new developments, special offers and coupons.

New Product-Zestica Fertility Lubricant:

There is a great new personal lubricant for couples trying to conceive that has been show to not impede sperm. Many popular sexual lubricants can be harmful to sperm.The new lubricant is from British company Burdica.

Click here for more information on Zestica

5% Discount coupon  

Use online coupon code zest  to receive a 5% discount at either of our fertility sites below

www.accessdiagnostic.co.uk

www.accessdiagnostics.co.uk

Please feel free to pass our coupon codes onto family and friends, chat groups etc

• Coupons valid until end of May 2009. 

• One coupon per order

• Coupons can be used multiple times

To use coupon code enter the code exactly as it is typed above and then click update

If you are a member of a specialist fertility, ttc chat group or support group that would benefit from  discount coupons specific for that group that last 12 months, please let us know by e-mail.

Remember FREE 1^st Class UK delivery is available on many products and is always Free when you spend over £45 on goods through either of the above Access Diagnostics fertility websites

Final word from the editor

We really love to hear from you all, so keep the feedback coming.

If you have an idea for a fertility or TTC product that would help you out, or a fertility related subject you would like us to cover in our fertility blog do let us know either in comments or by e-mailing us at Access Diagnostics, and please do keep sharing your success stories with us.

Posted in Access Diagnostics Coupon Code | No Comments »

12/05/2009 by admin.

What a great idea! Hope this idea takes off in UK to.

Just read this great story online. The link was posted on Twitter.

DENVER — Martinis, manicures, and getting pregnant: the latest approach to talking sex and fertility isn’t happening in a doctor’s office, it’s in a nail salon near you.

Monday night, the drink of choice at Fingers and Toes nail salon in Denver was the “Fertilitini,” a non-alcoholic all-organic martini.

It’s part of a series of “Martini & Manicure” events being held across the country by the American Fertility Association

Here is link to read whole story

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/19435094/detail.html

Posted in Fertility, Fertility Advice | 1 Comment »

11/05/2009 by admin.

Just read this stroy online at EDP (Eastern Daily Press)

Infertile women now faced with long journeys to London for treatment may soon have their lives made easier.

As a result of changes to fertility services in the East of England, a Norwich clinic has closed and some women have been told they will have to make repeat journeys to London for scans and in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

But there is a light on the horizon - the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn and Bourn Hall Clinic in Cambridge are in behind-the-scenes negotiations to bring an outreach clinic to Norfolk.

Read the full story at the EDP online

 http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=NOED11%20May%202009%2015%3A12%3A50%3A927

Posted in Assisted reproduction, Fertility Services, IVF | No Comments »

10/05/2009 by admin.

Sometimes life can get monotonous, and we all need to change things around a bit.

The best example of this is in our diets-so many of us eat the same things week in week out-this can get kind of boring, but it is easy which is why we do it.

I am going to post some simple & inexpensive ideas later for doing things differently, that help to give us a boost and get us out of our comfortable little ruts, and will help to bring your va va voom back.

• buy a different magazine or newspaper this week
• start listening to a different radio program
• listen to different music-borrow a new cd from friend or library
• try some differnet food-something you would not usually eat
• go somewhere new
• take the scenic route to work
• try a new sport
• do something creative that you do not normal do-garden, paint, draw, pottery, plant a lovely summer container up
• go to a live sports event & watch
• do something in your home -touch up your paintwork, redecorate, paint the garden furniture, clear ou the garage, do some diy, re-arrange a room, read a feng shui book & implement something from it. Do something you would not normally do
• do something for charity-have a big closet clearout & donate to charity, donate all the books you have read, go and help at a local charity
• start a journal, blog or diary
• write a story, any subject, any length
• exercise-do something different-swimming, tennis, badmington, squash, go for a run, walk a neighbours dog
• go to the cinema to see a new film by yourself or with a girlfriend
• contact a long lost friend or relation
• go shopping somewhere different
• go to a museum, art gallery or exhibition
• shift:sit in a different place to your usual one.(at mealtimes, in meeting, in the lounge, anywhere you have a habitual place to sit)
• broken friendships-make the first move to repair the damage
• ride a bike
• play a childs game-garden cricket is great fun at this time of year, short tennis. monopoly
• learn to meditate-get a cd, try yoga, read a book on relaxation
• drive less aggressively

These ideas are taken from the book ‘The No Diet Do Something Different Diet’

For more info on the no diet diet click on link below

https://www.nodietdietway.com/heales1/index.jsp

Posted in doing things differently, Self care, Loving yourself, Positive Living, Womens Health | No Comments »

10/05/2009 by admin.

Breaking fertility research news from USA

A biologist at Wichita State University has made a breakthrough discovery about human reproductive hormones that scientists say could give women worldwide new hope in solving fertility problems.

http://www.kansas.com/news/story/806670.html

Posted in Fertility news, Fertility research | No Comments »

09/05/2009 by admin.

 Just been given this link below and read this alarming article at Telegraph.co.uk.

A woman has been denied fertility treatment on the NHS because her husband has children from a previous relationship.

Janine Macallister, 27, from Newport, in Shropshire, should be entitled to IVF treatment under national guidance but has been told by her local health service that she is not eligible.

Fertility charities fear that an increasing number of couples are experiencing similar discrimination due to the inconsistent approach of primary care trusts.

Click on link below to read full article online at Telegraph.co.uk

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5300410/Woman-denied-fertility-treatment-because-husband-has-children.html

Posted in Fertility news | No Comments »

09/05/2009 by admin.

Just given this link on Twitter to an interesting story in USA about how recession is affecting couples trying to conceive there. Remember most health care in US is private

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090509.BABIES09ART1951/TPStory/National

‘The recession has hit young people hard. It’s forcing prospective parents to consider which should come first - their bank accounts or their biological clocks’

Posted in Fertility news, Twitter | No Comments »

09/05/2009 by admin.

Just read an interesting article  at BBC online by Dr Allan Pacey who is a fertility expert at the University of Sheffield in which he gives his personal viewpoint on male fertility issues. 

Around one in six couples experience fertility problems at some point in their lives and seek advice from a doctor.Tests show that between 30% to 50% of problems are with the male partner. During any one year, millions of men throughout the world struggle to father children, and many more may not be aware of a fertility problem because they have not yet decided to start a family. Others may realise there is a problem and simply give up trying. Of the many reasons why a man may not be able to father a child the most common is that he simply does not produce enough sperm, or that the sperm he does ejaculate are of poor quality. In some European countries, such as Denmark, it has been estimated that up to 25% of young men have poor semen quality. A worry is whether this proportion has increased in recent years, and whether today’s men are as fertile as their fathers were.

Read the full article here      http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8009703.stm

Click here for information or to buy home male fertility tests to screem sperm count & sperm motility

Posted in Male Fertility Issues | No Comments »

09/05/2009 by admin.

Just read about this article from last year about ongoing research at University of Nottingham into how chemicals in the enviroment affect fertility

http://research.nottingham.ac.uk/NewsReviews/newsDisplay.aspx?id=472

Posted in Fertility news, Fertility research, Fertility | No Comments »

09/05/2009 by admin.

Keep in touch with Access Diagnostics on Twitter for as it happens stock updates, fertility news, new fertilty products & fertility chat

Posted in Twitter | No Comments »

08/05/2009 by admin.

I have just had a really bad dose of PMT. I knew it was building up all week as I could feel myself getting irritable over minor stuff that would normally wash over me at other times of the month. Yesterday I was particularly bad, and snappy,  bursting into tears at the smallest thing.

Do you get PMT ?

If so read on for some tips on recognising it, coping with it, lessoning it & dealing wit the fall out afterwards.

Common symptoms of PMT

About a week before I am due on I notice the following:

Breast heaviness, discomfort & extreme tenderness-I have found wearing my most comfortable & supportive bra at this tim of the month helps. If you are big busted, this is not the time of month for the lacy plunge bras or balcony bras. Save the sexy lingerie for the first half of your cycle and when you are ovulating. I have found that a comfortable & supportive bra at in the pre-menstrual time helps reduce the breast symptoms. Also warn your significant other that your breasts are a little tender at this time of the month, so he will take care to be gentle with them.

Acheing in my legs-when I am pre-menstrual my veins in my legs ache. They do not do this at any other time of the month. The symptoms are similar to when I was heavily pregnant. I have only had these leg symptoms as I have got older, so they may be a sign that my veins are struggling to cope at this time of the month. I have noticed the leg acheing is much worse if I am desk bound, so I try to make sure I get up from my desk frequently and do something active. I set a timer to remind me as I get so engrossed when I am working.

Fluid retention-my rings get very tight pre-menstrually. This is a very common symptom many women experience. The extra fluid usually disappears quickly once the period starts. Some people belive the fluid retention may account for ome of the irritability that women experience pre-menstrually.

Irritability-boy can we be snappy when we have PMT. If you have several women in the house they often synchronise with their menstrual cycles so that they are all pre-menstrual at the same time. The guys in those households have to keep their heads down when it is PMT time ! My brother has 3 teenage daughters ! In my experience the irritability is the hardest thing to cope with as we can be irritable with our loved ones and say or do things we regret later. I have found it is best to warn family members & friends when I have PMT & apolgise quickly if I am rude or snappy with them.

Good news-I have found exercise is great for dealing with the irritability and my sports ability increases when I am pre-menstraul. Any active sport helps -racket sports are great for me

Depressed mood and tearfullness

This is a common symptom experiences by many women. Luckily I only notice this in the couple of days before the period starts. It helps to know it is just the PMT and that it passes quickly for most women. Stress or illness can make this worse. At this time of the month i like to wallow in a good weepy film.

Posted in PMT | No Comments »

07/05/2009 by admin.

Pre-Seed sperm friendly lubricant for couples trying to conceive is now available in 2 options:

• The original Pre-Seed in pre-filled applicators (available in 6 and 3 applicator packs)
• the  New Pre-Seed multi-use 40g tubes with refillable applicators (approx 8 applications per 40g tube)

The Pre-Seed is designed to be placed deep within the vagina allowing for the “sperm-friendly” intimate moisture to coat the vagina, and external cervix, providing moisture where it is most needed, and mimicing cervical mucus.

Based on experience with Pre Seed, the staff at INGfertility recommends application of Pre~Seed around 15 minutes prior to when you begin love making. It works well to apply Pre~Seed while sitting on the toilet or squatting. After depositing the tube contents as directed, excess PreSeed can be wiped off the vulva, and spontaneous enjoyment of trying to conceive can begin!

Click here for more info on Pre-Seed or to buy Pre-Seed

Posted in Pre-Seed Lubricant | No Comments »