Can car exhaust fumes cause infertility?

New research from Canada suggests that mothers who are exposed to certain pollutants before they get pregnant could have less fertile daughters.

The pollutants involved are known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and they're found in cigarette smoke, car exhaust fumes and woodsmoke as well as charred and smoked food. The Canadian research suggests that when mothers are exposed to these, their daughters have fewer eggs in their ovaries.

Given the levels of car exhaust fumes many of us live with in towns and cities, this would suggest a somewhat gloomy outlook for the future, but it is worth noting that the research evidence was based on an animal rather than a human study. If you want to read more, see this link

Seventeenth century fertility cures

The London auctioneers, Sotheby's are selling a seventeenth century health guide which lists some unusual alternative fertility treatments.

The book, called The Ladies Companion or The English Midwife, suggests a number of rather unappealing remedies for fertility problems. Apparently mixing some hare's spittle into your wine will help you get pregnant, or alternatively you could always try eating a hare's womb. I must admit I don't know why hares were particularly linked with fertility, but there are some hare-free remedies - another method is to dry a new-born boy's "navill string" (or umbilical cord), grind it up into a powder and drink it with wine.

The book was written by a physician, William Sermon, and published in 1671. It claims to explain how women ought to "govern themselves during the whole time of their breeding children". Sotheby's are selling it next month at auction, where it is expected to fetch as much as two thousand pounds. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I'd advise reading The Complete Guide to Female Fertility instead!

A date for your diary

The date has now been set for the next National Infertility Day, which will take place on the 19th of July at the New Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden in Central London. The event will mark thirty years of IVF, and delegates can expect a wide range of speakers on different aspects of fertility. For further updates, you can check the National Infertility Day website here

Warnings over sperm donor service

A recent investigation by The Guardian's science correspondent, James Randerson, has revealed that online sperm delivery companies may be operating illegally, and putting women who are using their services at risk.

The online companies provide donated sperm for single women or lesbian couples who want to try to get pregnant. They offer to deliver fresh sperm samples from anonymous donors to your door by courier within a couple of hours of being produced. However, this means that the sperm is unlikely to have been thoroughly screened for HIV.

In properly regulated clinics, a sperm sample is taken and frozen for sixth months, during which time the donor is tested twice for HIV, as it can take that long for the virus to show up in tests. The sperm delivery company used by The Guardian tells potential donors they can give their first sample just days after being tested for sexually transmitted infections.

The Guardian has passed details of the investigation to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, but the story highlights the dangers of buying sperm online. See more details here.

Young adults risk fertility problems

Young people are failing to listen to warnings about sexually transmitted infections according to a new report, and this could mean more fertility problems in the future.

The Health Protection Agency's latest report on the UK's sexual health shows that there has been an increase in sexually transmitted infections amongst young adults. Women under 20 and men under 25 seem to be at particularly high risk, and the increase suggests that safe sex campaigns to encourage young people to use condoms are falling on deaf ears. Ten percent of young adults tested positive for chlamydia, and there were rises in some other sexually transmitted infections.

There is growing awareness that chlamydia has long-term risks for fertility, but it's not the only infection which can cause problems. Gonorrhea also affects fertility, and syphilis can be particularly dangerous in pregnancy, damaging babies and leading to miscarriage or still birth. Young adults don't always realise that taking a risk may not just affect their immediate future, but can have implications for the rest of their lives.

The advantages of being an older mum

We all know the problems about waiting to have a baby. You're less likely to be fertile if you're too far on the wrong side of 35, fertility treatment isn't as successful if you need it and you're at greater risk of having a miscarriage. A lot is made of that fact that you may find pregnancy physically more demanding than a younger woman, and that you will get more tired. It all sounds distinctly gloomy, so why do statistics show that more and more women are having children later rather than sooner?

In fact, there are some clear advantages for older mothers and their children. Women who wait to get pregnant are often more settled both financially and emotionally. They've often achieved what they want to in their careers and have lived a little. They are less likely to feel the need for an exciting social life or to resent the restraints of life with a baby or small child.

They may have more time for their children, and more patience, and the children of older parents can benefit greatly from this. It's true that physically they may find life with a baby tough, but older mothers are often able to adapt to this. In comparison to their teenage counterparts at the other end of the motherhood age scale, they tend to take better care of themselves, eating more healthily and taking exercise.

Whatever our views on older motherhood, more and more of us are having children later for a variety of reasons, from wanting to achieve things in our careers to waiting for the right partner. There's a great website for older mothers mothers35plus which anyone who wants to know more about the subject should have a look at.

Could you have polycystic ovary syndrome?

Around twenty percent of women have polycystic ovaries, but most of us won't ever be aware of the fact and they won't affect our lives. Tiny cysts are found on the ovaries, which are actually undeveloped follicles. Polycystic ovaries won't necessarily affect your fertility, but sometimes when they are accompanied by other symptoms, they can indicate polycystic ovary syndrome, a common cause of female fertility problems.

There are a number of signs to look out for which could indicate that you may have polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. Women with PCOS usually have irregular, infrequent or absent periods. About a third of those with PCOS are overweight, although it is perfectly possible to have the syndrome and to be very slim. Women who have the eating disorder bulimia seem to have a higher risk of having PCOS, too.

Women with PCOS may have difficulty getting pregnant, or have had miscarriages. Some women have other signs, such as unwanted facial or body hair, and oily skin or acne. Women may also find that they lose hair from their scalp, or have thining hair. There are often hormonal imbalances which can be checked by a blood test. Women who have PCOS sometimes suffer from depression and mood changes.

You can find out more about polycystic ovary syndrome by contacting the support group Verity