Technology Archives

Think a semen analysis is all you need to do? Think again.

The journey to parenthood isn't always straightforward. Picture this: month after month passes without success, leading to that first appointment with a gynaecologist. Tests are run, and everything appears normal with the female partner. The next logical step? Male fertility testing. While many men hesitate at first, modern men's home fertility tests options have made this process more approachable. When those initial results come back normal, there's a moment of relief - followed by joy when pregnancy is achieved. But then comes the devastating news of miscarriage just weeks later. As couples navigate this emotional rollercoaster, searching for answers, one crucial test often gets overlooked: sperm DNA fragmentation testing. Take this example from a Reddit thread: This real-world example illustrates how DNA fragmentation testing can be crucial in identifying underlying fertility issues [1]. It also demonstrates how high levels of sperm DNA fragmentation are associate…

Fertility check-up: When and where to go?

Unlike what we are made to believe, getting pregnant is not always easy. In fact, 1 in 7 heterosexual couples in the UK faces fertility issues. If you’re planning for a baby, or have been trying to conceive for a while, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed. If you are TTC as a couple, prioritising the health of both partners and getting appropriate testing is an important first step. Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can check in with your fertility. Hormone tests This is always a great place to start, no matter where you are on your pathway to parenthood. Your hormones regulate your menstrual cycle and fertility (along with many other body functions!), and so it is essential that they are all working in harmony. Any imbalance can throw this song off-key, which can affect your fertility! By looking at your cycle characteristics and measuring the hormones that control your menstrual cycle such as oestrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising horm…

At-Home Sperm Test: Best Alternative to Clinic Analysis

Get 15% off Mojo Home Fertility Tests adding the promo code 'TOTAL15' at checkout Male fertility assessment is a critical step for couples trying to conceive. Traditional methods involve visiting a fertility clinic for a comprehensive sperm analysis, which can be time-consuming, costly and may cause embarrassment. However, advancements in AI technology in the fertility care space have made it possible to perform certain tests in the comfort and privacy of your own home. At-home sperm analysis kits offer a convenient and accessible option for men to gain insights into their reproductive health. In this article, we will explore the benefits of at-home sperm tests, how they work and why choosing a reputable provider is essential for accurate results. What Does a Sperm Test Measure? Sperm parameters are the fundamental factors that determine the quality and quantity of sperm and they play a significant role in male fertility. These parameters include sperm…

A Comprehensive Guide to Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing (PGT-A) for Fertility Treatments

Pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is a powerful tool that can in some circumstance help improve IVF success rates and reduce the risks of miscarriage. It enables our embryologists to analyse cells from embryos before they’re transferred to the womb, giving us up to a 98% chance of identifying any abnormalities. By selecting only those embryos with the correct number of chromosomes, PGT-A can sometimes help couples have a baby faster and more safely. However, the HFEA, rates PGT-A for day five embryos RED because there is no evidence as of yet, from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to show that it is effective at improving the chances of having a baby for most fertility patients. Overview of Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing (PGT-A) PGT-A (also known as pre-implantation genetic screening or PGS) is a sophisticated technique that can be used to analyse embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF). It allows us to check the number of chr…

What are Women’s at-home Fertility Tests & How Do They Stack Up?

Are you looking to find out if your fertility levels are as good as they should be? If so, you may have heard about at-home fertility tests. These tests use simple urine, saliva or blood samples that can tell you a lot about your reproductive health without having to go through the hassle (and cost) of an in-office visit. In this blog post, we'll take a look at what these kits actually do and how reliable the results really are compared to more traditional clinical methods. Overview of Women’s At-Home Fertility Tests With the advancement of technology, fertility tests are now available in the comfort of your own home. These fertility tests allow women to track their fertility and help determine when they’re most likely to conceive. The process itself is simple: women collect hormone levels through a saliva or urine sample and then mail it off to laboratories for testing. After the analyses are complete, results are sent directly back to the women, often with helpful…

What is Time-lapse Embryo Imaging?

If you're considering IVF fertility treatment, you may have heard of time-lapse embryo imaging. This technique is used to capture images of embryos at regular intervals during their development. Time-lapse imaging can help doctors select the best embryos for transfer, and it's becoming increasingly popular as a way to improve IVF success rates. Here's what you need to know about time-lapse embryo imaging. Time-lapse embryo imaging is a process where embryos are monitored throughout their development Time-lapse embryo imaging provides a special look into embryos’ growth and development. As embryos grow, movement is captured every 10 minutes of their journey from the beginning of life to the start of their first days outside the womb. Through this process, embryos can be carefully monitored by fertility specialists who use this data to assess embryos and make informed decisions on behalf of their patients. The entirety of embryos’ growth can be tracked using time-laps…

Best At-Home Sperm Test for Men in the UK of 2023

Test and improve your sperm quality, from home Whether you're trying to conceive or thinking of trying soon, we'll help you increase your chances of conceiving with Mojo's premium, fast and clinical-grade sperm care services. Order your Mojo sample collection kit today, get it in under 72h Your sperm sample is analysed by fertility experts assisted by Mojo's WHO-and-CE compliant AI technology Receive easy-to-read results in 48h Get a detailed report on 22 biomarkers, recognised by IVF clinics and fertility specialists Access expert consultations Get tailored scientifically proven treatment plans Get 15% off using the code 'TOTAL15' at checkout Buy Now How it works Get 15% off using the code 'TOTAL15' at checkout From: £135.15 (with our discount) Buy Now

Top 10 Fertility Apps By Popularity

The popularity of apps to help with fertility, pregnancy and timing has grown significantly in recent years. Combining personal health information with data driven models can assist in the timing prediction and suggested regime in order to fall pregnant. The iPhone fertility apps as found in the App Store listed below are focused predominantly on the timings of ovulation but we will run an additional article in the near future on apps that focus on fertility support, an area which is garnering huge investment to ensure individuals or couples going through fertility struggles have the full support they need. The Mira Ovulation Tracker is more accurate way of tracking ovulation using urine samples daily to analyse hormone levels. #1 - Flo Period & Ovulation Tracker - 123k ratings - 4.7 out of 5 rating #2 - Clue Period, Ovulation Tracker - 92k ratings - 4.7 out of 5 rating #3 - My Calendar - Period Tracker - 28.7k ratings - 4.8 out of 5 rat…

Understanding Home Fertility Tests

Home Fertility Testing has become increasingly popular in recent years. Many of the commonly undertaken fertility tests are now available over the counter or purchased online. The marketplace is overflowing with different options from predicting ovulation to assessing your partner’s sperm using a smartphone. We look at some of the commonly performed tests and try to help you understand when home fertility testing has a place. In the UK around 80% of couples will conceive within a year of having regular sexual intercourse when a woman has regular menstrual cycles. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends beginning fertility diagnostic tests at this point if there has been no success after a year of trying to conceive. It is important to obtain as much information as possible about your fertility if you are having difficulties conceiving. Many people are checking their fertility early by using fertility tests that can be performed at home, rather than…

Covid-19 Vaccination, Fertility and Pregnancy

By: Dr. Ed Coats As the Covid-19 pandemic grumbles on into its second year so much has changed. There have been more than 100,000 coronavirus associated deaths and we are in yet another national lockdown. The UK has led the way in the development and approval of Covid-19 vaccines and over 10 million people have received their first dose. It has been a challenging 12 months though for patients needing fertility treatments and for clinics trying to work through the crisis. Due to the wider pressures on the NHS from Covid-19, several IVF clinics located on NHS sites have had to temporarily close their doors to patients, who have had to pause their treatments. We all hope the option of vaccination will help steer things back towards normal. There are currently three different Covid-19 vaccines approved for use in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The first to be approved was the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in December. The first woman in…

Jheni Osman on “Fertility Education”

Jheni Osman is a science journalist, author and presenter. She is adept at making tricky science topics understandable and entertaining to non-experts. She is the former editor of the award winning science and technology magazine “BBC Science Focus’. She is also a former Great Britain Tennis player who played at Junior Wimbledon. Jheni’s personal experiences of infertility led her to write the book “Conceivable” teaching patients everything they need to know about fertility and IVF. Jheni is passionate about raising awareness around Fertility Education. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFRmZPEOoq8 Follow Jheni on her website & on Twitter

Will the egg freezing limit be extended?

The growing popularity of women choosing to freeze their eggs if they are at present not ready to have children or the circumstance don't allow it, is evident in the numbers: 2012 - 395 egg freezing cycles 2013 - 551 egg freezing cycles 2014 - 677 egg freezing cycles 2015 - 1069 egg freezing cycles 2016 - 1171 egg freezing cycles 2017 - 1462 egg freezing cycles In the space of 6 years there has been a four-fold increase in the numbers of cycles undertaken. The 10 year limit on the amount of time that eggs and sperm can be kept for was set in 1990 and understandably the reliability of egg freezing and thawing techniques has improved significantly in 30 years. A minister for the Department of Health, Caroline Dinenage said: "Although this could affect any one of us, I am particularly concerned by the impact of the current law on women's reproductive choices," "A time limit can often mean women are faced with the heart-breaking decision to destroy their frozen …