All articles tagged with #ivf
Laura Folan, born with Mayer Rokitansky Küster Hauser (MRKH) syndrome and told she could never carry a child, underwent IVF to stimulate her ovaries and used a surrogate to have her biological son, George; she even helped deliver him with a midwife's guidance, and the couple hope to have a second child with the same surrogate.
In a candid Guardian profile, Robyn discusses raising her son Tyko via IVF, balancing dating while undergoing treatment, and the creative freedom she found after leaving the major-label machine to run Konichiwa Records. She explains how motherhood reshaped her art and touring as she crafts Sexistential—a personal, synth-driven exploration of vulnerability, sex, and identity—while reflecting on aging, industry pressures, and the desire for authentic expression in a pop landscape that now allows more individuality. She also touches on her influence across artists, and how her forthcoming tour will bring this renewed, two‑world life to the stage.
A University of Adelaide study used a 3D clinostat to simulate microgravity and found that sperm from humans, mice, and pigs had about 30% fewer chances to reach eggs in microgravity, while embryos formed under these conditions initially appeared stronger but degraded with longer exposure. The results suggest mammalian reproduction in space could be highly challenging for long-term space settlements, though future work could explore partial gravity (Moon/Mars) and potential IVF advances on Earth.
A review of nearly 150 studies finds that regular ejaculation or sex can help sperm quality, while abstinence modestly degrades it via increased oxidative stress and DNA damage, reducing viability and motility in humans and other animals. A recent IVF trial suggested higher fertilization success when men ejaculate within 48 hours of sample collection, though the impact on natural fertility remains unclear. The findings could lead clinics to reassess abstinence guidelines and emphasize sperm quality alongside quantity, while general health benefits of regular sexual activity appear unaffected.
A large meta-analysis across human and non-human studies shows that regular ejaculation helps prevent rapid deterioration of stored sperm, with longer abstinence associated with increased DNA damage and reduced motility. The findings suggest a modest fertility benefit from frequent ejaculation and hint that ejaculation timing could influence IVF success; current guidelines allowing up to seven days between samples may warrant revision.
A large meta-analysis of about 55,000 men shows that longer gaps between ejaculations increase sperm DNA damage and oxidative stress, lowering quality, while shorter abstinence can yield fresher, more motile sperm. WHO guidelines of 2–7 days for semen testing may prioritize count over quality, and a recent IVF trial found higher pregnancy rates with shorter abstinence. For natural conception, a balance between abstinence duration, sperm quantity and quality is likely best, with freshness often more important in assisted reproduction.
Robyn’s Sexistential reframes love as chemistry, shifting from romance to a science-flavored philosophy. Featuring tracks like Dopamine and Really Real and collaborations with Klas Åhlund, Joe Mount and Max Martin, the album blends retro electro-pop textures with new themes of solo parenthood and IVF, reimagining her discography without romance while insisting that feelings can be chemical and still deeply real.
Eight years after her last album, Robyn returns with Sexistential, a recalibrated dance-pop collection that pairs club-ready production with intimate, explicit reflections on desire, IVF and aging—proving she remains uniquely direct and fearless rather than chasing nostalgia.
A large Australian study of 417,984 women who received fertility treatments (IVF, insemination, or clomiphene citrate) found the overall cancer rate was similar to the general population. However, clomiphene citrate users had a 1.04× higher cancer rate (~8.6 extra cancers per 100,000 women per year), and rates of uterine cancer, ovarian cancer (except for clomiphene users), and melanoma were 1.07–1.83× higher. Conversely, cervical and lung cancers were 1.43–1.92× lower. The study cannot establish causation and likely reflects underlying risk factors (eg, endometriosis, ethnicity, smoking) and screening practices, with absolute cancer numbers remaining small. Routine cancer screening remains important for anyone undergoing fertility treatment.
Bunnie Xo says meeting her stepdaughter Bailee Ann felt like seeing a younger version of herself, noting their lives run parallel through addiction and growth. She also shares that she and Jelly Roll are moving forward with an IVF journey and have a surrogate, with hopes of expanding their family and possibly welcoming twins.
Jelly Roll and his wife Bunnie Xo reveal they’re advancing their long-running fertility journey: after publicly discussing IVF, they’ve found a surrogate and will begin IVF stimulation with the aim of welcoming twins, hoping to raise them in a loving home; the couple also share custody of Jelly Roll’s two older children from previous relationships and have long talked about providing the best life for their future family.
Bunnie Xo reveals she and Jelly Roll have a surrogate and plan IVF stim cycles to welcome twins, detailing their hopes to grow their family and how the journey has shaped them as a couple and as a voice for others going through IVF.
The Ethicist argues that using IVF with preimplantation genetic testing to avoid CF‑risk embryos can be ethically permissible, since selecting embryos is about health states rather than devaluing existing people. While the term “eugenics” is loaded, the key is whether such selection expresses contempt for those with the condition. Personal motives (like wanting a daughter) should be weighed carefully, and the analysis acknowledges the limits of genetic testing and the importance of valuing the current child while considering future risks.
An international study warns that the space environment—microgravity, cosmic radiation, and circadian disruption—poses risks to fertility and pregnancy, highlighting a lack of standardized policies for reproductive health in space as commercial and governmental missions expand. Researchers call for urgent international collaboration to establish ethical guidelines and protective standards for astronauts, noting that assisted reproductive technologies could assist future research but have not enabled human pregnancy in space.
After losing their beloved cat Skye to heart disease, Kareem Khalil and Fifi Furrha began visiting her grave regularly. On one visit a stray white cat approached and sat in Khalil’s lap, a moment they felt offered comfort amid sorrow. Around the same time, Fifi learned she was pregnant via IVF, and veterinarians later revealed the stray cat was pregnant with seven kittens. The couple fostered the cemetery cat and brought her home, expanding their family to include their son Taj, three cats (Chase, Kai, and Princess), and a baby girl on the way, all while sharing their journey with millions online.