Fertility in the News

“Infertility is common. Finding the right words is much less so.”

This article explores why conversations around infertility can feel so difficult – both for the people going through it and those around them.

Drawing on personal experience of miscarriage and IVF, the author reflects on how well-meaning comments can sometimes feel unhelpful or even hurtful. Phrases like “I’m sure it will happen” or “maybe it’s not meant to be” often come from a good place, but can  also unintentionally minimise what someone is going through.

There’s no single “right” thing to say when someone is going through infertility. What helps one person might not help another. But the article suggests that simple, honest responses, like listening, acknowledging the difficulty, or just saying “I’m sorry”, can often feel more supportive than trying to offer reassurance or solutions.

Why it caught our attention:

Conversations around IVF and infertility can feel like a minefield – not just for others, but for those going through it too. During our own journeys, we experienced similar comments to what the author describes, and we know we’re far from alone.

This piece is a reminder that words matter, especially during something so emotional and uncertain. And often, it’s not about finding the perfect thing to say – but about showing care, listening, and giving space.

Sometimes just being thoughtful and present is enough.

“Motility peaks in June and July, defying expectations about constant climates and offering insight into how to improve fertility treatment and tests.”

According to a new study, sperm may actually move differently depending on the time of year, with sperm motility peaking during the summer months.

Researchers analysed samples from more than 15,000 men across Denmark and Florida and found sperm movement was consistently highest in June and July, and lower during winter months like December and January.

Surprisingly, the same pattern showed up in Florida too – despite the warm climate year-round.

This suggests there may be more going on than temperature alone, with things like hormones, daylight exposure, sleep, and circadian rhythms potentially playing a role.

The study didn’t find seasonal changes in sperm count or semen volume – only in motility (how well sperm move).

This is observational research, so it shows a link rather than proving a direct cause. But it’s another reminder that male fertility may be influenced by more factors than many people realise.

Why it caught our attention:

Fertility science never stops surprising us.

One minute you’re reading about supplements and sperm health… and the next you discover sperm apparently have seasonal preferences.

But underneath the unexpected headline is something really interesting: fertility is influenced by far more than people are often told.

Sleep. Stress. Lifestyle. Nutrition… And maybe even the seasons too.

 “A North American study suggests poor sleep health may be associated with lower semen quality.”

This study looked at whether sleep habits – how long people sleep, how well they sleep, and how often their sleep is disturbed – are linked to sperm health.

Across nearly 700 participants, poorer sleep was linked to lower sperm count and fewer motile (moving) sperm. Both shorter and longer sleep, as well as frequent sleep problems, showed similar patterns.

This is observational research, meaning it shows a link rather than a direct cause. Sleep and semen quality were also self-reported or measured at home, which can affect accuracy.

Still, the findings are in line with previous research and suggest sleep may play a role in reproductive health.

Why it caught our attention:

Sleep can feel like one of the few things you can control during IVF but it can also become another source of pressure.

This study is a reminder that while supporting your body matters, you don’t need to get everything right. Prioritising rest may be one small way to support your body alongside treatment, without needing to do it perfectly.

“Scientists claim to have ‘rejuvenated’ human eggs for the first time in an advance that could revolutionise IVF for older women.”

This Guardian article reports on new research showing that adding back a naturally declining protein, Shugoshin, can stabilise chromosomes in ageing eggs. In donated eggs, the treatment almost halved the number of chromosome errors, which are a major reason IVF success drops sharply with age.

The findings are early and still in preprint form, but if confirmed in trials, this could support better egg quality and raise success rates for women in their late 30s and 40s — without needing multiple cycles.

Why it caught our attention:
Egg quality is one of the biggest challenges in IVF, and as we explore on this platform, options to improve it are limited. A treatment that helps older eggs behave more like younger ones could be a game-changer which offers hope, fewer failed cycles, and more chances at success as we age.

“Starting a family may involve robots in the near future.”

This article describes how AI-powered robots are being introduced into IVF labs to help with delicate steps like sperm selection, egg prep and embryo culture. Early trials suggest this could improve pregnancy rates and reduce the number of cycles needed, with one pilot study already resulting in healthy births.

Experts say the technology supports embryologists rather than replaces them by helping standardise to lab quality and cut human error. Wider rollout is expected from 2026. 

Why it caught our attention:
As we experienced ourselves, IVF success can depend heavily on which clinic you’re treated in. If robotics can deliver more consistent, reliable outcomes, and fewer failed cycles, it could make IVF treatments fairer and more accessible which is very promising.

“Scientists have used human skin cells to create fertilizable eggs capable of producing early embryos.”

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University successfully turned ordinary skin cells into functioning egg cells, which could be fertilised in the lab. It’s the first time human eggs with a donor’s DNA have been created this way — a possible future option for people who can’t produce eggs.

The science is still very early: fewer than 9% of eggs developed to the blastocyst stage, and all embryos were chromosomally abnormal. Experts say clinical use is likely at least a decade away.

Why it caught our attention:
This concept seems mind blowing to us. It gives us a look into the future of IVF. It opens the door to many opportunities and a world where new eggs could be created for people with none of their own — including women with ovarian failure, cancer survivors, and potentially same-sex male couples.

“A new study has shown that exposure to paracetamol (acetaminophen) may disrupt human embryo development at very early stages.”

Researchers observed developmental changes that could have implications for reproductive health and medication safety. While the findings are preliminary, they raise important questions about how commonly used drugs might influence early human development.

Why it caught our attention:

This one really surprised us! Most of us think of paracetamol as a safe, everyday medicine — especially when we just want to ease pain or discomfort. We have both used paracetamol in connection with egg retrievals and during our cycles without too much consideration.

But this study is a reminder of how delicate those first stages of life can be, and why we need more research into the medications many of us take without a second thought. For anyone on an IVF journey, it sparks big questions about how even small factors could play a role in outcomes.

“The aim is to avoid babies inheriting devastating mitochondrial diseases.”

For the first time, eight babies have been born in the UK using mitochondrial donation, a pioneering IVF technique that combines DNA from three people: the mother (nuclear DNA), a donor (healthy mitochondria), and the father (sperm).

Why it caught our attention:

It’s a powerful example of how IVF is evolving to help families avoid rare but serious inherited conditions. While this procedure is tightly regulated and only offered in select cases, it shows how genetics and IVF science are creating new paths to parenthood.

“It was funny — and ridiculous — but also deeply needed. Men’s reproductive health rarely gets the spotlight, and this event, strangely, gave it one.”

Yes, an actual sperm race took place in LA — complete with leaderboards, training plans, and cheering fans. What sounds like satire actually opened up space to talk about something we don’t hear often enough: men’s fertility matters too.

Contestants trained by cutting alcohol, exercising, and improving sleep — all of which can meaningfully boost sperm health in just a few months.

Why it caught our attention:

We love that this headline grabbed attention but also highlighted something important: lifestyle changes can improve sperm quality, and they’re often overlooked in the fertility journey.

“A healthy baby girl has been born in the UK from an embryo frozen more than 30 years ago — thought to be the oldest embryo ever successfully used in IVF.”

This remarkable story highlights the birth of a baby conceived from an embryo frozen back in 1994. Doctors believe it is the longest-frozen embryo to result in a live birth worldwide. While most embryos are used within a few years, this case shows just how resilient — and full of potential — embryos can be, even decades later. It also raises fascinating questions about the future of embryo preservation and long-term storage.

Why it caught our attention:

Stories like this remind us that IVF is full of surprises and possibilities. For anyone facing the tough reality of failed cycles or thinking about embryo storage, this is proof that embryos can carry hope much longer than many of us realize. It’s a reassuring glimpse into what science, and time, can make possible.

“After trying to conceive for 18 years, one couple is now pregnant with their first child thanks to artificial intelligence.”

CNN reports on a landmark IVF case from Columbia University Fertility Center, where a new AI tool, the STAR method, helped find sperm in a man diagnosed with azoospermia, a condition where no sperm can be detected in a semen sample. The AI scanned millions of images and identified just three viable sperm, which were then used to fertilise eggs, resulting in pregnancy.

The STAR system could become a new option in male-factor infertility, though it’s currently available only at Columbia and still requires validation in wider studies.

Why it caught our attention:
Male infertility makes up nearly half of all cases, yet treatment options for azoospermia are limited and often invasive. A tool that can find viable sperm in such detail could open doors for couples told they have no chance of conceiving with their own sperm.

For us, it’s also a glimpse of how AI is becoming a valuable tool in IVF, how it can work alongside clinicians, not by replacing expertise, but by enhancing it.

“Research suggests sperm counts are tumbling globally — and the decline appears to be accelerating.”

This in-depth BBC story explores the big question: why are sperm counts falling around the world? While researchers agree the trend is real, the causes are still being investigated. From environmental toxins and stress to diet, heat exposure, and modern lifestyles, the article explores the many factors that could be affecting male fertility at a population level.

Why it caught our attention:

We believe it’s essential to keep conversations about male fertility in the spotlight because awareness can lead to action. If you’re in the middle of IVF or fertility challenges, this article can help you better understand the bigger picture. And if you’re supporting a partner, it’s a great reminder that male fertility matters too — and it’s not always straightforward. 

Curious about how sperm quality affects IVF? We dive deeper in our blog post: Calidad del esperma y FIV: Comprendiendo el papel de la fertilidad masculina en el éxito de la FIV

“Women with a certain gene variant responded significantly better to one type of IVF hormone — and a quick, non-invasive test could identify it before treatment begins.”

This article explores a breakthrough Swedish trial that found a simple mouth swab can identify a woman’s FSH receptor gene variant (FSHR N680S) helping doctors choose the most effective type of hormone (synthetic or biological) for ovarian stimulation. When matched to the right hormone based on DNA, live birth rates jumped from 29% to 40%. The test takes under an hour and could be in clinics by 2026.

Why it caught our attention:

If you’ve ever wondered whether standard IVF protocols truly suit everyone — this is your proof that they don’t. As we explore in the blog post Protocolos de Estimulación para FIV Explicados there are many options at IVF clinics today. This groundbreaking and accessible test could spare people unnecessary side effects, cost, and time by making their first cycle more effective.

It’s the kind of quiet revolution we love to see.