LONDON, February 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Sperm meet egg

Pressure to make Valentine's Day all about sex and passion can feel daunting for the 3.5 million people in the UK who may face difficulty conceiving.^[1] Office of National Statistics figures confirm that 1 in 5 women in England and Wales are childless at what's considered to be the end of childbearing years - age 45,^[2] with the average age of women giving birth now nearly 30.^[3] However, when it comes to fertility, age matters; both women and men are at their most fertile in their early twenties.^[4]

"Over recent years, establishing a career, getting on the housing ladder and ensuring financial stability are up there on the public's to-do list ahead of starting a family. There are so many fertility myths out there that need to be addressed but what is important for couples to consider is that the chances of becoming pregnant do dwindle with age," said Raj Rohilla, Pharmacist at Battersea Pharmacy and owner of a chain of family focused pharmacies in the UK.

With a range of societal factors delaying women having children,^[2] fertility support is becoming an increasingly important part of conception for all couples trying to get pregnant.

This February 14th, SASMAR - the fertility, family planning and female health specialists - looks to debunk common fertility myths; clarifying the do's and don'ts when trying to get pregnant.

• Myth #1: It's easy for most women to get pregnant

The truth: While many fall pregnant without difficulty, one-in-six couples in the UK may face issues conceiving.^[1] Fertility support can be crucial in preparing the body for conception.

• Myth #2: Vaginal secretions usually indicate an infection

The truth: Vaginal secretions are natural and healthy. What's known as 'cervical mucus' plays a fundamental role in the process of conception by nourishing and protecting sperm as it travels through the female reproductive tract to meet the egg.^[5] Around 75% of couples experience vaginal dryness when trying for a baby.^[6] Moreover, of the 70%, most do not consider it to be a problem^[6] - this despite the body's conditions not being optimal for conception. For these couples, a scientifically tested fertility lubricant may be worth considering to ease and enhance the comfort of sexual activity, supplement the body's natural lubrication and help couples on the path to conceiving naturally.

• Myth #3: Sperm can only live up to three days

The truth: Actually, sperm can survive up to seven days in a woman's reproductive tract.^[7] It is crucial that a couple trying to conceive select a fertility lubricant designed and scientifically proven to be compatible with sperm, eggs, the process of fertilisation and embryo development to help keep sperm viable for the journey.

• Myth #4: A woman can get pregnant only one day per cycle

The truth: In most women, ovulation usually happens 10-16 days before the start of her next period. An egg lives for about 12-24 hours after being released. Sperm can survive in a woman's body for several days after sex. If a woman wants to get pregnant, having sex every couple of days will mean there are always sperm waiting in the fallopian tubes to meet the egg when it's released.^[7],[8] A fertility lubricant with calcium and magnesium ions can mimic natural fertile cervical liquid and semen to create a conception-friendly environment.

• Myth #5: You get pregnant by having intercourse in almost any position

The truth: While there are no scientific studies on the best sexual positions for baby-making, the missionary (man-on-top) position is typically considered optimal for conception. Some suggest that placing a pillow under the hips and keeping legs raised after sex may enhance the sperms' ability to swim upstream.

For trying-to-conceive couples, a scientifically tested fertility lubricant may be worth considering. It is critical that couples trying to conceive select a personal lubricant scientifically proven for this purpose as clinical studies have found that several popular personal lubricants lower the chances of conception.^{[9],[10],[11]} However, others, such as Conceive Plus^® Fertility Lubricant, can help trying-to-conceive couples increase their chances of getting pregnant.^[12]

Designed specifically for trying-to-conceive couples, Conceive Plus is the only fertility lubricant that contains calcium and magnesium ions, which are naturally present in our bodies and essential for the process of fertilisation.^[12]Scientifically proven, the gentle formulation of Conceive Plus mimics fertile cervical liquid and semen to create a conception-friendly environment. It does not impair sperm motility or viability, nor does it harm sperm chromatin (DNA) or act as a barrier. The formulation does not harm the fertilisation process and is compatible with embryo development.

"75% of couples experience vaginal dryness when trying for a baby which can be overcome with the use of personal lubrication gels. It is important that the fertility lubricant used is scientifically tested and shown not to harm sperm DNA, such as Conceive Plus, which is isotonic and formulated to meet a pH range compatible with human sperm survival and migration. Conceive Plus can therefore be used by all couples trying-to-conceive, increasing their chances of getting pregnant," explained Raj Rohilla.

When women are not trying to get pregnant, this product is also compatible with natural rubber latex and polyurethane condoms.

About Conceive Plus: The scientifically proven fertility lubricant

Conceive Plus is the only fertility lubricant cleared by the FDA as gamete, fertilisation and embryo compatible. It is formulated to be isotonic and meet a pH range compatible with human sperm survival and migration.^[12]

Designed specifically for trying-to-conceive couples, Conceive Plus is intended to ease and enhance the comfort of intimate sexual activity, supplement the body's natural lubrication and help couples on the path to getting pregnant naturally.

• FDA cleared for couples trying to conceive. Only personal lubricant cleared as gamete, oocyte (egg), fertilisation and embryo compatible
• Safe for sperm, egg and embryos
• pH balanced and isotonic to mimic fertile fluids
• Contains calcium & magnesium ions essential for fertilisation process. Conceive Plus is a patent pending formulation based on this
• Published data demonstrating sperm safety. Conceive Plus does not harm sperm motility or viability nor sperm chromatin (DNA)

 

Conceive Plus is uniquely available in both a multi-use tube and a pre-filled applicator.  

Conceive Plus is available via all Lloyds pharmacies, fertility product websites, online pharmacies and amazon.co.uk (visit 'where to buy' page on http://www.conceiveplus.com).

About SASMAR

SASMAR is a pharmaceutical company focused on the categories of fertility, family planning and female health. Founded in 2005, the company is a major manufacturer of personal lubricant and supplier to international governmental organizations in HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness programs in third world and developing countries.

The founding purpose of SASMAR in 2005 was to provide high quality personal care products that benefited the lives of consumers in Australia and since then the company has grown its product portfolio and international distribution in a very short period. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, the group has operations based in Sydney, London, Hong Kong and Chicago and has a presence in more than sixty countries through a network of distribution partners.    

References

1. NHS Choices. (2012)  Infertility. Available from: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Infertility/pages/introduction.aspx Last accessed: February 2014
2. Office for National Statistics (2013). Around one fifth of women are childless at age 45. Available from: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/fertility-analysis/cohort-fertility--england-and-wales/2012/sty-cohert-fertility.html Last accessed: February 2014
3. Office for National Statistics. (2013) Statistical bulletin: Live births in England and Wales by Characteristics of Mother 1, 2012. Available from: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/vsob1/characteristics-of-Mother-1--england-and-wales/2012/sb-characteristics-of-mother-1--2012.html?format=print Last accessed: February 2014
4. NHS Choices. (2012) Protect your fertility. Available from: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Fertility/Pages/Protectyourfertility.aspx Last accessed: February 2014
5. NHS Choices. (2013) Infertility - causes. Available from: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/infertility/pages/causes.aspx Last accessed: February 2014
6. Ellington, J., Daugherty, S (2003) Fertility and Sterility. Prevalence of vaginal dryness in trying-to-conceive couples. Available from: http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282%2803%2900127-4/abstract?source=aemf Last accessed: February 2014
7. NHS Choices. (2013) Getting Pregnant. Available from: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/getting-pregnant.aspx Last accessed: February 2014
8. NHS Choices. (2012) When can I get pregnant? Available from: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/menstrualcycle/Pages/WhencanIgetpregnant.aspx Last accessed: February 2014
9. Sandhu, R., Wong, T. (2013) Fertility and Sterility. In vitro effects of coital lubricants and synthetic and natural oils on sperm motility. Available from: http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(13)03456-0/abstract Last accessed: February 2014
10. Anderson, L. Lewis, S. et al. (1998). Human Reproduction. The effects of coital lubricants on sperm motility in vitro. Vol 13, p3351-3356
11. Kutteh, W. Chao, CH. et al. (1996) International Journal of Fertility. Vaginal lubricants for the infertile couple: effect on sperm activity. 41 (4), p400-404
12. Conceive Plus. Data on file.

 

For more information, please contact:

Laura Starr    
Account Director, GCI Health        
Laura.Starr@gcihealth.com        
D: +44(0)20-7072-4214    

Rikki Jones
Director, GCI Health
Rikki.Jones@gcihealth.com
D: +44(0)20-7331-5438    

 

SOURCE SASMAR