Preseed.com Blog

An article in May 2008 Sexuality, Reproduction & Menopause reviewed current genetic information on the sexual behavior of women.  The author Burri, discusses female sexual responsiveness in light of different gene studies using twins.  I thought the study was very interesting, because it provides information as to why different women experience their sexuality in such varied ways. 

In particular, the study reported that 32% of women never or rarely achieve orgasm during intercourse, and about a third of the difference between women who readily orgasm during intercourse and those who do not, is linked to genetic differences between these groups of women.

In contrast, about 18% of women reported difficulties with orgasm during masturbation, but 50% of the difference between these women and those who easily orgasm during masturbation  was hereditary.

In general, whether a woman could readily orgasm during intercourse was not well related to ease of doing so during masturbation.

Take Home Messages: 

If orgasm is  a tricky event  for you, don’t rule out self pleasuring during love making, especially if it rarely works for you during intercourse itself. No guy is going to mind watching his wife take care of this. And NO having him do the hand play is not the same thing, unless you have spent a lot of time coaching him.  Masturbation can be a great way to liven up your mutual sex life.  And this is especially true for those of you out there doing this later by yourself, once he falls asleep.  Be brave it will pay off!

A good proportion of those women not having an orgasm during intercourse, are likely not because of technical issues, and not genetics.  It takes communication and courage to try different positions or tell them “that is too rough or not enough or…”.  Most women orgasm more easily on top and it can make the man last longer, too!

We should share our sexual history/knowledge with our daughters.  The media shows such ridiculous portrayals of female sexuality. Girls think they are supposed to be feeling like a cat in heat from one kiss, and that love making should look  like arena Wrestling moves, rather than the actual gentle touching and licking that actually turns women on.  I recently spoke to a group of women in their 30’s.  I was sad to hear many of them say that it just took “too long” for them to orgasm so it was just easier to let the man “go for it” and get it done.  When I asked them what kind of time frame, they were saying “oh fifteen minutes…half an hour”.  This is too long to caress, kiss or touch each other, so that female desire has time to catch up to the man’s arousal?

Turn off the TV folks – your body and pleasure are worth a half an hour or so of intimacy several times a week.   

Take care-

Dr. E  

It is always fun when we hear from families with multiple Pre~Seed children, which we refer to as “Seedlings”     I believe our record is 3 Seedlings (in one family) and we also had 3 Seedlings from one 6 pack (across three families).  Fun!  Anyway, you will enjoy Emily’s journey.

Take Care ~ Dr. E

Hello, I just wanted to write in and tell you my story. I’ve been meaning to do it for 2 years now, but was busy being pregnant and raising a now 14 month old boy! When we started thinking about trying to conceive I wanted to be as informed as possible. I read Toni W.’s book, “Taking charge of your fertility” and started to chart my cycles after going off birth control. After charting a few cycles I realized I have a short luteal phase, which can lead to miscarriages if not treated either before pregnancy with clomid or after becoming pregnant with progesterone pills. My Dr. put me on Clomid and while researching the side effects I discovered dryness as one of them. Not good if TTC! I knew we couldn’t use regular lubricants and even tried an eggwhite one month (as Toni suggested in her book)!

After being unsuccessful, I started “googling” and came across Pre-seed. I ordered it right away and we used 4 tubes our first month TTC and came up with a BFP 2 weeks later! My sister was also TTC so I gave her our remaining 2 tubes and she had a baby girl 2 weeks after my boy was born! I really didn’t expect such immediate success, especially because I’d been diagnosed with endometriosis before getting married. But I am happy to write in as one of your many thrilled customers for whom preseed worked the first month!

Fast forward 2 years…..my husband and I decided to start TTC again this month (Sep). I really wanted to get pregnant this month because I didn’t want to have another late summer baby….well, it worked again–the first month! I am due June 1st and we are so happy! Needless to say I am hooked and have told many of my friends about your wonderful product. The $17.00 was totally worth it! Thank you so much preseed for taking the stress out of TTC and making it fun!  ~ Emily–a loyal customer

A recent study presented at the Reproductive Medicine meeting this year (Tanrikut et al., 2008), suggested that an SSRI antidepressant significantly increased sperm DNA damage  to levels that have been well associated with poorer reproductive outcomes (over 30% damaged sperm).  This study mirrored the results from a 2005 study that my group presented. In our study, men who smoked saw a dramatic increase in the percent of sperm with damaged DNA, while taking SSRIs. 

It is my opinion that the potential impact of SSRIs on men who are trying to conceive, is a hugely under-discussed issue.  Approximately 4-6 million men of reproductive age in the US are on SSRIs.  These medications can cause 1/3 - 1/2 of men to have sexual dysfunction including erectile dysfunction and delayed ejaculation, which can also interfere with TTC.

The cause of this is most likely disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.  These medications can elevate prolactin, which due to a cascade, suppresses testosterone production in the testicles and disrupts sperm production.  Although, the sperm damage may also be caused by increased levels of oxidative stress on the sperm from the SSRIs.

There are other types of antidepressants that can be discussed with your physician if you are trying to conceive.  Another option would be to have a sperm chromatin test done if you are taking SSRIs and TTC. This way, you can find out if your sperm’s DNA has been impacted.  Please read my FAQ about
sperm chromatin testing to better understand what this involves.

Take care-
Dr. E

We get so many heart-warming stories from all of you, but occasionally someone writes us with a truly amazing TTC journey, such as this…dr.e…

OMG Thanks!  I never write into companies, but this experience is too good to be true. For over six years, we had tried to conceive and we had seen specialist after specialist. We were told my husband has 99% bad sperm and low counts and I have PCOS, so it was very unlikely that we would ever get pregnant together without IVF. The first and only time we used your PreSeed product, much to our surprise we conceived. That was the only change that month. I’m telling all my fertility challenged friends about the magic goop that worked. Thanks again. We’re now 4 months pregnant and are hoping for a healthy baby. Kind regards, ~ K

I am headed to Toronto to do the Discovery Channel special on “the life of sperm as we know it”.  I was reviewing some of my FAQs I used to get when we did the Q&A (for any who remember the old days!).  I miss doing the Q&A, although of course I was getting so many questions a day I couldn’t keep up.  But I would like to have the chance to answer some of your questions on TTC, vaginal dryness or just keeping your sex life fun thru all the stages of life. 

Please email us at info@preseed.com and I will be answering the first 10 questions I get over the next week or so.

Thanks and take care-

Dr. E    

We just got this great message from a new PCOS support blog. Check it out and give Pam our support! Three Seedling kids J that may be a record!

Good afternoon, I have used PreSeed for my past 3 children/conceptions, I swear by it and tell everyone I know about it because of its amazing results for me (I wish I would’ve known about it sooner!!!). I have recently started a blog on PCOS (I was diagnosed over 7 years ago). My plan is to provide loads of information (that is often withheld or ignored) for those who: have recently been diagnosed, think they may have it, and have PCOS. I have been on various forums and mentioned PreSeed a lot through my posts. Although a good number of women have heard of it, or are using it, the majority I spoke to had no idea what it was and were excited to know there was such a product. I only recently came upon it from a web search. I really want to share the product with my visitors because its helped me SO much, and I believe they’d be interested as well since most PCOS’ers take Clomid to increase fertility, and we all know what Clomid does to your cervical mucus and environment !!…My plan is to write a post about hostile CM and include information about PreSeed as a helpful suggestion to combat the problem! Sincerely, pcosinfo.com

Recently we have had people asking us about other products marketed to trying-to-conceive couples, and what we know about these products. To be clear, INGfertility only sells the registered products of Pre~Seed® and Pre’®. This link discusses our company’s dealings with the maker of one of these other products. Please let your community know about this situation. Our Pre~Seed family has always been a large part of what makes our products unique and successful.

Click Here to read an article from the Spokesman Review

Also, our users should know that lubricant products are considered “devices” by the FDA. Anyone can search the FDA device database to review if the products you use are cleared by FDA or at least made in FDA registered facilities.

Here is the link to the FDA “Search Registration & Listing Database”. To find a product, type in the “Proprietary Name” (product name) section of the form: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfRL/rl.cfm

INGfertility’s products appear when you request the following names:

• Pre Personal lubricant
• Pre Vaginal lubricant
• Pre MD lubricant
• Pre~Seed (must include the ~), also under the name Pre-Va

You may also search under the manufacturer’s name (e.g. INGfertility). To do this, type the manufacturer’s name in the “Establishment Name” section.

To understand the claims or uses that are cleared for products, you need to go to the 510(k) Summary Statements. For example, our Pre’ Lubricant and Pre~Seed are the first and currently only lubricants specifically indicated for use during fertility interventions. This requires special testing on the products to support these claims, and ongoing testing (Special Controls) of each lot as it is produced.

As always thanks for your support & kind notes -

Dr. E

As noted in previous post, I am hosting a small group fertility workshop in Toronto (Canada) on Monday morning, September 8, 2008.  We’ll be discussing ways to optimize successful natural conception; in addition to fielding your questions on trying to conceive and maintaining fun in your relationship while “baby-making.” 

The session is being arranged in conjunction with Discovery and Channel 4 UK and will be filmed and featured in a science documentary about conception airing in 2009. A goal of the seminar is to include individuals with a range of fertility knowledge and experience. 

We are still looking for some gals who are relatively new on their TTC journey just to talk about basics and have fun learning together.  I promise I will take good care of you and we can read questions if you are too shy to ask a question out loud

Please pass this blog link to your TTC or friends’ community, especially in Toronto!  

Anyone interested in attending should send a brief email detailing their individual history and particular questions of interest to the programme producer, Jennifer Beamish at jennifer.beamish@blinkfilmsuk.com

Go on drop Jennifer a line!

Dr. E

In the August journal of Sexuality, Reproduction & Menopause (a publication of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine) Pre~Seed is mentioned for use by women with painful intercourse and vaginal dryness following breast cancer treatment.  We are pleased to see our isotonic product mentioned in this medical journal.  Pre~Seed or Pre’ can be used by women in all stages of life for isotonic, mild moisture & lubrication.  Limiting irritation caused by lubricant products during love-making is important for all women, but especially those that are already having pain at intercourse.  A recent study published by researchers at Ghent University discussed the potential for different  lubricants to cause mucosal irritation, (referring to the tissue of the vagina).  Most physicians are not aware of how hypertonic (or hyperosmotic) the leading brands of lubricant are formulated, which can lead to irritation.  The study abstract is cited below. 

Mucosal Irritation Potential of Personal Lubricants Relates to Product Osmolality as Detected by the SMI (Slug Mucosal Irritation Assay)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2008 May;35(5):512-516
Els ADRIAENS, PhD; Jean Paul REMON, PharmD.  Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Ghent, Belgium

BACKGROUND: The slug mucosal irritation assay has recently been used as a sensitive measure of mucus membrane tolerance for vaginal microbicide products and carriers. In the current study, it was determined whether musosal irritation potency of personal lubricants is related to varying product osmolalities.

METHODS: Five commercial lubricants with an osmolality range were evaluated using the previously validated slug mucosal irritation assay. Specifically, Arion lusitanicus were treated with lubricants over 5 days to quantify mucus production and tissue damage, allowing assignment of each product into an irritation potency category (none, mild, moderate, or severe).

RESULTS: The irritation potency (assessed by the mucus production) of the lubricants showed a significant, quadratic relationship with the product osmolality (P = 0.001; R (2) = 0.99). Femglide, a hypo-osmotic lubricant (32 mOsm/kg), caused a negative mucus production. Pré, an iso-osmotic lubricant (316 mOsm/kg), caused no changes. Two moderately hyperosmotic lubricants, Replens and K-Y jelly (2143 and 2463 mOsm/kg), induced mild and moderate irritation, respectively. The highly hyperosmotic lubricant Astroglide (5848 mOsm/kg) resulted in severe irritation and tissue damage.

CONCLUSIONS: Commonly used personal lubricants show a full range of mucosal irritation potential, which is related to product osmolality.

Our own Dr. E (Joanna Ellington) will be hosting an intimate fertility workshop in Toronto (Canada) on Monday morning, September 8, 2008. She’ll be discussing ways to optimize successful natural conception; in addition to fielding your questions on trying to conceive and maintaining fun in your relationship while “baby-making.” 

The session is being arranged in conjunction with Discovery and Channel 4 UK and as such will be filmed and featured in a science documentary about conception airing in 2009. A goal of the seminar is to include individuals with a range of fertility knowledge and experience.  Specifically, they are looking for a few true novices who are just starting their journey, as well as some of our long timers, who know a great deal about this all.

Please pass this blog link to your TTC or friends’ community.  

Anyone interested in attending should send a brief email detailing their individual history and particular questions of interest to the programme producer, Jennifer Beamish at jennifer.beamish@blinkfilmsuk.com

From all of us at INGfertility