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The American Fertility Association Blog
Facing Change
March 16, 2009 - Monday
Posted by Ken
Last year I wrote an article addressing how issues surrounding the topic of infertility would only become more intense in the coming year. What I didn’t realize is the degree to which the infertility conversation would enter mainstream media, and how quickly.
Thus far in 2009, the topic of infertility is everywhere. Whether it’s the mother of eight babies in California or a 60 (plus) year-old woman becoming pregnant through in-vitro fertilization (IVF), infertility has become part of most people’s daily listening and reading, if not daily conversation.
As I write this in mid-March, I’m wondering what’s going to happen this week when the Georgia State Senate considers a “personhood” bill, which defines life at the moment of conception and ascribes all human rights to the embryo from that point forward. The bill would make anyone who damages or destroys an embryo criminally liable, subject to both fines and imprisonment. It would further forbid any disposition of unused embryos except the option to donate them to another couple, (and they do mean married, heterosexual couples). The option to freeze embryos for use at a later date, donate them to scientific research, or dispose of them would be illegal if this bill becomes law.
There are several other bills floating around state legislatures right now. Many are designed to dictate to physicians and patients having difficulty conceiving how many embryos they can create, how many they may transfer, and what the disposition of any unused embryos must be.
New questions are being raised about the use of sperm taken posthumously from a male for the purpose of continuing a family line or ensuring inheritance. Who has the final say in these matters?
Egg freezing is emerging as the most asked about fertility topic of the year. Women and men want to know if eggs can be frozen for use at a later date, similar to what is currently being practiced with unused embryos. If so, what’s the success rate? Is this something we should be encouraging? Are there risks? What are they?
Egg freezing, taking sperm from dead men, legislators dictating what physicians and patients can and can’t do, and the very real possibility of microscopic tissue being called a “child” are just some of the issues The American Fertility Association (The AFA) is helping consumers sort through as they begin or find themselves in the midst of their family building journeys.
7.3 million American women experience difficulty conceiving or bringing a pregnancy to term. Fertility challenges among men may be just as high, as male factor infertility is the sole or contributing cause in about 40% of infertile couples. We are, indeed, faced with a significant challenge.
In addition to providing education and support for those facing fertility challenges, this year, The AFA began an infertility prevention program in which we take education to young women at places they already frequent - like nail salons and health clubs.
Why? There are types of infertility that can be prevented. Avoiding environmental toxins, taking into account the biological clock (fertility begins to decline at age 27 for women and 35 for men) and preventing STD’s are all things that can keep options open for individuals and couples if and when they decide to have children. As everyone knows, prevention, when possible, is the best cure.
Our mission is simple: prevent infertility whenever possible and support people in building families of choice. To learn more, visit us at http://www.theafa.org.
The American Fertility Association, a 501 (c) (3) national non-profit organization is a lifetime resource for infertility prevention, reproductive health and family building. AFA services and materials are provided free of charge to consumers and available to everyone without reservation. These services include an extensive online library, monthly online chats, telephone and in-person coaching, a resource directory, hosted message boards, daily fertility news and a toll-free support line.
http://www.theafa.org or 888.917.3777.
Ken Mosesian
Executive Director
Categories
Donor Egg •
Donor Sperm •
Egg Donation •
Egg Freezing •
Embryo Donation •
Family Building •
Fertility •
Fertility Preservation •
Frozen Embryos •
Frozen Sperm •
Infertility •
IVF •
Reproductive Freedom •
Sexual Health •
Sperm Donation •
Third Party Reproduction
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The New Kid on The Block…
October 17, 2007 - Wednesday
Posted by Pamela
So...I left ASRM early to go meet with Trojan...to hear an update on their Evolve Campaign. According to the information that Trojan distributed to us...there are 750,000 unintended teenage pregnancies...40% of which end in abortion...and 19 million sexually transmitted infections (which is one of the biggest causes of infertility in the country). Yet....among single sexually active Americans between the ages of 18 and 54..they only use condoms in about 25% of their sexual encounters.
It was so interesting for me coming from the meeting at The American Society of Reproductive Meeting...where a video of me was used in a montage of clips during opening ceremonies...and as the song goes..."everyone knows my name”...to walking into a group where no one had ever heard of us...and yet everyone knew each other. It was a very unfamiliar feeling for me.
Oh yes...The AFA is the new kid on the block when it come to the sex and reproductive health community!
And we have a campaign to talk about...."Let’s Talk About Sex”..
And I found myself sitting with representatives from organizations like National Planned Parenthood...and The Guttmacher Institute...and with some folks that have clearly made an impact in this part of the reproductive health community...but that I did not know.
Yes...we are late coming into this conversation...but our message is an important one...and it is one where very little emphasis is given...yet when we met with parents of children...it was a message that parents felt really comfortable giving to their kids...and it was a message that they felt was really important...that STI’s can render you infertile...and the use of condoms can protect you in protecting your fertility...and unplanned pregnancy..so that when you are ready to have a child...you will be able to time it...and be healthy.
And so I sat around the table...the new kid on the block...and you know me...eventually our messages will be heard...because all of the messages are important...and you never know which message is going to be the message that ‘cracks the code’ on whether a condom is used or not.
Until Later,
Pamela
Categories
Fertility •
Fertility Preservation •
Infertility •
Sexual Health
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