Sunday February 5, 2012
While browsing the news sites, I spotted an article entitled, "Why I Orgasmed in an MRI Scanner." Who can resist reading an article with a title like that? I mean, totally from a research perspective, of course.
The article isn't so much about why the author orgasmed in the MRI, but more about people's reactions to research studies on sex and sexuality. The author, Kayt Sukel, writes that people seem to think funding research on sex isn't worthwhile, not when things like cancer are around to study.
Sukel believes sexuality is worth studying, and I have to say I agree. Sex is a vital part of our lives. In fact, we don't have "life" without it. Even with IVF, which some may say takes the sex out of conception, it's still based on sexuality. The desire to conceive children is at least partially based in sexual desire. Animals instinctively seek out sex in order to mate and make more animal babies. So do humans, in our own complicated way.
Sexuality also plays a role in fertility, and it's a role that's not quite clear yet. We will never find out what role it plays without research.
What do you think? Is sexuality worth researching? Share your thoughts in the comments! I'd love to hear from you.
More on sexuality and fertility:
Photo (c) Jan Tyler / Getty Images
Wednesday February 1, 2012
Waiting to have your first child until after age 35 is becoming more and more common. Unfortunately, since biological clocks don't wait, this can mean trouble with conception. The media is full of stories of women who "just didn't realize" that their ovaries are getting older even if they feel young and healthy.
In these same articles on waiting to conceive, there is usually at least one "expert" blaming the feminist movement for the wait. Because women are so focused on their careers, goes the commonly held belief, they put off having a child until it's too late.
Turns out that's not quite true. In fact, career is an uncommon reason to put off family building.
An interesting study in Canada surveyed women with planned pregnancies to ask them what factors played a role in deciding when to have a child and why they waited (or not.) The most common reason given for waiting to have a family was "being secure in a relationship." Other common reasons given were "feeling in control of one's life" and "feeling prepared to parent."
But what about careerism? Less than 30% of women said their career goals played a "very important" role in deciding when to have their first child.
There was a right-on opinion piece at Slate.com, where writer Jessica Grose questions where The New York Times (and other media sources) find women who cite "ignorance" of their biological clock as the reason for waiting to start a family.
I think she simplifies this a bit (as many people really aren't aware that IVF can't "save" you from infertility after 40), but she also brings up a good point - that most women who wait aren't playing games with their biological clocks, or just "didn't realize" that getting older makes it harder to have babies.
Most women are very aware of time ticking away. They just haven't found the right person, or don't feel financially secure, or don't feel ready.
What's your experience? What factors played a role in when you decided to have kids? Feel free to share in the comments!
More on the biological clock:
Image (c) Nanette Hooslag / Getty Images
Sunday January 29, 2012
For some of you, the mechanics of ovulation and reproduction are easy. But for those just starting out, or those who never bothered with the basics, there may be holes in your knowledge. Reproduction is usually studied to some degree in high school, but who really paid attention to the details then anyway? (Especially difficult to pay attention when you're busy giggling, as most high students do during health class!)
Here are some female reproduction basics. There won't be a test, but the more you know, the more in control you may feel and the better you can understand when things go wrong.
Image (c) A.D.A.M.
Wednesday January 25, 2012
Here's a resolution many trying-to-conceiver'ers can (or should!) get behind - try to be less obsessive regarding your trying to conceive efforts. I'm not expecting anyone to totally drop their intense focus, but just ease up... just a bit.
"Me? Obsess? Never!"
Really? Well, see if you can relate to any of the following:
- You check and recheck the calendar to see what day your period will be late, and then count how many days it is until then, perhaps more than once in the same day.
- You chart your body basal temperature, but instead of just walking away, you look over the dots on the graph multiple times a day, trying to read the pattern like a psychic reads tea leaves.
- You feel your boobies when no one is looking... you know, to see if they're sore (and therefore, maybe you're pregnant.)
- You look up online things like "early pregnancy signs" or "clomid success" or "ivf success", many, many, many times, just in case a different article will have the answer you're looking for.
- You take not one, not two, but multiple pregnancy tests, sometimes days before your period would be late. In fact, you've got a small stockpile of tests in your bathroom cabinet right now.
- You stay up way too late reading fertility forums and fertility blogs. You're certain you spend a couple hours or more a day doing this.
Any of that ring a bell?
One way to conquer trying to conceive obsessions is to schedule them. Yes, actually write in your planner or date book, "Fertility Focus Time." Then, stick to it. If you feel tempted to check that calendar again, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you'll get to check again tomorrow, and probably the calendar hasn't changed since yesterday.
What about you? Are you guilty of any TTC obsessions? Confession is good for the soul, they say. Please share yours in the comments!
More on coping with infertility:
Photo (c) Paul Bradbury / Getty Images
