In February, scientists discovered a spoonful of microplastics lurking in human brains. Previous research detected the tiny particles in our lungs, liver, kidneys and blood — plus in bodily fluids like semen and breast milk. Now a study published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety has found that in yet another part of the body, which … Read more
Charlotte Flair has taken a beatdown in and out of the ring. After suffering through a debilitating injury and secret divorce, the WWE superstar is opening up about how constant public criticism takes its toll. “I lived in . . . fear of being judged and feeling not enough. “Charlotte Flair gets family shamed, body … Read more
This time, it’s good to finish fast. Move over Belmont Stakes. An enterprising startup has announced the launch of the world’s first sperm race, in which samples will go head-to-head in Los Angeles to raise awareness about declining male fertility. This unusual contest was organized by Sperm Racing, a group of young moguls and millionaires … Read more
From sweethearts to siblings — yes, you read that right. Victoria Hill sat in sheer “disbelief” upon discovering that her boyfriend was actually her brother. “He sent me the screenshot that, ‘You are my sister,’” Hill, a crestfallen mom of two from Connecticut, explained on the UK’s ITV “This Morning” show. Victoria Hill learned that … Read more
This isn’t your daddy’s cancer scare. Studies have previously linked low sperm count to an increased risk of cancer, but new research takes that a step further. Approximately 1 in 10 men have some sort of fertility issue in the US. Syda Productions – stock.adobe.com Researchers at the University of Tartu in Estonia found that … Read more
In a medical anomaly, a teenage girl without a vaginal opening became pregnant via oral sex. A 15-year-old from Lesotho, a landlocked country within South Africa, was admitted to a hospital with symptoms of abdominal pain. Routine testing revealed the patient was nine months pregnant. More shocking than the surprise pregnancy was the revelation that … Read more
This is rubbish! Researchers say that deteriorating car tires and decomposing garbage are sending minute plastic fragments into the air, which may be fueling infertility, colon cancer and respiratory illnesses. There’s long been concern about how exposure to microplastics — found in cosmetics and toothpaste and shed from food containers and clothing — can hurt … Read more
This could be egg-cellent news for women struggling with infertility. A research team from Japan says it has developed a new egg maturation technique that may improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. IVF babies account for about 2% of US births each year. The success rate depends on various factors, including the quality of the … Read more
Say goodbye to the stirrups. Women’s health startup Daye is selling a “vaginal microbiome test” in the form of a tampon that users wear and then mail back for screening — and it can detect everything from infections to possible fertility issues. Daye’s diagnostic tampon can detect different bacteria with an at-home test. Daye Daye … Read more
Perhaps Mucinex’s mascot should be a stork? Women have taken to social media to claim that taking Mucinex, a popular cold and flu medication, has helped them get pregnant. “I took Mucinex 30 minutes before baby-dancing,” TikTok user Amanda MacGibbon shared in March. She said she also took the antioxidant supplement coenzyme Q10 and the … Read more
Is Shilajit legit? The tarlike resin found in the Himalayas has been used in ayurvedic medicine for centuries and is lately making the rounds on TikTok. Known to some as “the Healer of all weaknesses,” die-hard devotees claim the supplement can boost energy, clear skin, reduce anxiety and increase testosterone. Shilajit develops from the slow … Read more
That’s brotherly love. Adam Zayden, 25, loved his sister Jade, 29 so much that he gave her the gift of their own family — by donating his sperm to his sister-in-law. The prospects of a donor daddy were slim for Jade and her wife Eefje, 30, who had been trying to get pregnant since 2018. … Read more
Their romance turned into a total nightmare after a shocking discovery revealed they were more than lovebirds — they were siblings. Throughout her childhood, a running joke between Victoria Hill and her father was that she might be the mailman’s child. After all, the pair were nothing alike. Shrugging it off as a genetic mystery, … Read more
DEAR ABBY: For a long time, I thought I was unable to have children. My doctors told me it would be a difficult process and my chances were low due to chronic illnesses I live with. I have accepted this fact, because having a family was the reason I divorced in my late 20s. My … Read more
Don’t count men out just yet. New research is challenging recent reports that sperm count in men is on the decline globally. In a study published in the journal Human Reproduction on June 5, researchers at the University of Manchester, Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada and Cryos International, a sperm bank based in Denmark, collected … Read more
Life is plastic — not fantastic. Three recent studies highlight the dangers of nanoplastics on health. Microplastics are making their way into various parts of humans’ and animals’ bodies, including the testicles, according to a study published last week in Toxicological Sciences. This has dangerous implications for both male sperm quality and fertility. “Microplastics are … Read more
New research reveals a gap in fertility education for American women including basics of reproductive health, a lack of conversation between women and their healthcare providers about their fertility and misunderstandings around advanced maternal age. The survey of 2,000 American women aged 18 to 40 showed that seven in 10 (70%) of respondents who have … Read more
Padma Lakshmi used to spend a week every month pressing hot water bottles, heating pads or small strips of fabric soaked in castor oil on her stomach to ease her pain. Finally, at 36, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 endometriosis — an agonizing condition that occurs when uterine-like tissue grows outside the uterus. “I’ve … Read more
A heartbroken woman has said she’s giving up on being a parent upending her life and spending an estimated $165,000 on in vitro fertilization. “It feels like the death of a dream,” said Katie Abdou, 37, who feels doctors gave her false hope. “IVF has ruined my life.” Now, the would-be mom in mourning is … Read more
DEAR ABBY: I’m a millennial. I am successful in my career and lucky to have a loving husband and two amazing children. I am, however, trying to remind myself to be “better and not bitter” in another huge area of my life. The world is changing so quickly, especially in the field of in vitro … Read more