Male Infertility Research & Recommendations Long Overdue

Last month, I wrote about more enlightening research on male fertility and dietary factors. A lot of women may not admit it, but some are perfectly comfortable stepping up and saying, "It's about time!" So far, most research has focused on female fertility and obstacles to conceiving. A recent article -- "The Bad Daddy Factor" -- points to some possible societal reasons why this may be the case.

Article author Emily Anthes goes all the way back to the 1960's to mention the few researchers who were looking at the impact of men's contribution on both fertility and infant well-being. She describes how most of their scientific colleagues weren't equally concerned, so the burden of cause continued to fall mostly in women's laps for decades. The writer goes on to connect this historical lack of aggressive research with society's viewpoints on gender and even politics. The good news: those viewpoints seem to be evolving.

Like my own colleagues, I am thrilled every time I hear about new interest in reproductive research. The more we learn about the causes of infertility, the better able we are to both educate young men about prevention and to treat the later results of lifestyle choices that are not fertility-focused.

On behalf of Houston Fertility Center's staff, my wish this season is that you and yours reap the benefits from advancing research, technology, and compassionate fertility care -- and grow your family with love.

Getting Through the Holidays with Infertility However You Can

Seasonal holidays are tough on the spirit when you're trying to get pregnant and can't. The Web is full of places you can go to and read or chat with others about ways to cope. Here are a few that I recommend:

Thanksgiving: To Attend or Not To Attend: That Is the Question
The title says "Thanksgiving," but this piece by Lori Shandle-Fox on Fertility Blogs covers all family gatherings with a light heart.

Infertility and Holidays: Don't Just Survive - Thrive!
Tracy Morris on FertilityCommunity covers a lot of different emotional tactics that can help you view holidays from a different perspective.

The Season of Giving
An interview with Kathy Stern of Southwest Surrogacy Associates, LLC about the role of giving in third-party reproductive treatment, during the holidays and beyond.

The Perfect Storm of Holidays: Infertility and Christmas
Melissa Ford taps into a perfect analogy with "The Great Peanut Day". Use it to explain your emotions to those who just don't seem to 'get it.'

Tips for Facing Infertility During the Holidays
On ParentDish, Mary Beth Sammons interviews a woman who's been going through fertility treatment for six years. Her personal advice - "what helps most is 'to know that I'm not alone.'"

There are plenty more out there -- just search for "holidays and infertility" and you'll see that, indeed, you're not the only one.