Pioneers of first OTC at home male fertility test launch fertility gel

A new fertility gel is now available in more than 750 Boots stores (and online) across the UK and is set to help the 500,000+ couples in the UK, who struggle to conceive naturally within the first twelve months.

‘FertileCheck, Fertility Gel’ is the second pioneering fertility product to be launched by ContraVac, in the UK. In October 2013 they launched the first OTC Male Fertility Counter product ‘SpermCheck Fertility’, which saw sales peak well above expected UK sales.

FertileCheck contains Hyaluronic Acid which optimises the natural moisture balance of the vagina, as vaginal dryness can hinder conception and is often caused by age, stress and general well-being.

The high content of Hyaluronic Acid also preserves sperm motility and is a physiological component of the male and female natural reproduction system. These characteristics provide perfect conditions for sperm during a woman’s fertile phase which is normally between 5-7 days each month. 

 “The vagina is a very hostile environment for sperm. When a female is inseminated, the presence of the semen triggers an immune reaction, so semen—and particularly the sperm—are treated as pathogens. Male seminal plasma contains all kinds of chemicals that are designed to take this into account. Seminal plasma is alkaline, and a couple seconds after ejaculation the pH of the vagina approaches neutrality, which makes it a friendly environment for sperm. Sperm also contains a lot of immunosuppressant’s that suppress the female’s immune system and counteract this immune reaction to semen.” Dr Gallup, Psychologist2

Clinical Trials

The Sperm Motility Index (SMI) is used to measure the performance of all fertility gels, calculated by dividing the percent of progressively motile sperm in a test solution by that in the control solution.  Any gels with a value less or equal to 0.75 are predictive of poor assisted reproduction outcomes and indicate sperm toxicity.  

FertileCheck outperformed all other fertility gels currently available on the UK high street, with a SMI value of 0.99.  

FertileCheck is 87% more effective than the previous Fertility Gel available in Boots. The previous fertility gel was Replens which had a SMI value of 0.12.

FertiltyCheck was directly tested in a 24-hour sperm survival assay against Zestica which had a SMI value of 0.65.

NB – for full clinical trials please contact accordingly.

Official Quotes

Jim Gardner, International Sales Director for ‘FertileCheck, Fertility Gel’ comments:

“Many couples looking to conceive are unwittingly using lubricants which are counterproductive to sperm viability and motility.  Given that out of 200 million sperm released in ejaculation, only 200 will make it to the egg, it is vital that optimum conditions are created to prolong sperm life and provide every opportunity for fertilization.  

Following the launch of our flagship fertility product SpermCheck, we looked at how we could create an advanced fertility gel. We wanted to ensure that those at the start of their conception journey stood every chance of success.  After much research and the great work of our fertility scientists, it’s great to see FertileCheck now available for the 3.5million couples looking to conceive each year.”

Dr Fiona Richards, an independent GP comments:

“Each year hundreds of thousands of couples suffer infertility issues trying to conceive within the first 12 months.  There are all manner of reasons why fertility complications can occur but as a no 1 starting point, it is crucial the optimum PH levels are created in the vagina.  The launch of FertileCheck, is a much welcomed and needed product for those in the early stages of the conception journey.”

How to Use FertileCheck

The gel should be used as a lubricant especially during the fertile phase when other lubricants should not be applied. The applicator is easy to use and sealed in a protective foil, keeping it hygienically clean at all times. Fertility Gel can be used during the fertile phase on a daily basis due to its very mild and natural formula.

Take the applicator out of its protective cover. 

Shake the contents of the applicator towards the tip. 

Remove the cap with a light twist. 

Insert the tapered tip of the applicator into the vagina; preferably lying down. 

Squeeze out the entire contents of the Gel, remove the applicator and dispose of it. 

The product should be stored in a dry place at 36°-86°F (5°-25°C) and not frozen. Planned intercourse should be started within 15 minutes of applying the Gel. FertileCheck does not contain any hormones.

• Naturally supports fertility
• Does not harm sperm
• Optimizes your natural moisture balance

Retail

FertileCheck retails for £12.49.  

http://www.boots.com/en/FertileCheck-Fertility-Gel-30ml_1752148/

Demand for private fertility treatments in UK more than doubles in one year

Enquiries from UK patients into private fertility treatments have more than doubled (up 112%) in the past 12 months alone, according to new research from private healthcare search engine, WhatClinic.com.

Topping the list of the most popular treatments in the UK is egg freezing which, in the past 12 months alone, has seen a 407% increase in enquiries. Whilst the treatment is offered to those undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or for those who object to storing embryos for religious or moral reasons, it is also sought by those who wish to postpone childbearing. Of all UK users searching for this treatment in the past 12 months, 43% were between the ages of 25 and 34 and more than one in 10 (12.8%) were aged 18 to 24.*

Nearly half (49.3%) of all traffic to UK fertility clinics in the past year was from those between the ages of 25 and 34, compared with just 38.5% the year before.**

Increasing numbers of women are seeking fertility testing privately, with UK enquiries into these treatments skyrocketing by 242% in the past year alone. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) – a procedure which separates fast-moving sperm from the more sluggish or non-moving, to be placed in the womb close to the time of ovulation – has also seen a surge in enquiries. These have almost tripled (up 188%) in just 12 months. Closely following this in terms of demand is embryo donation, with more people seeking the donation of remaining embryos from couples who have undergone IVF, which has seen a sharp 183% rise in enquiries in one year.

Private IVF treatment has also seen a rise in demand, with enquiries up 161% in the past year. Whilst the NHS can fund the treatment, only three rounds are offered to women under the age of 40,*** which explains why, for some couples seeking this treatment, going private is the only option.

The following table shows the average costs of fertility treatments in the UK, as well as the change in demand over the past year:

Private Treatment	% change in enquiries over past 12 months	Average price UK (£)
Egg Freezing	407%	£2,084
Fertility Test	242%	£362
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)	188%	£718
Embryo Donation	183%	£1,942
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)	161%	£2,256
Artificial Insemination	137%	£988
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)	89%	£3,279
Egg Donor	68%	£2,623
Fertility Specialist Consultation	40%	£163
Sperm Assessment	15%	£125
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)	5%	£3,480
Sperm Freezing	-9%	£380

There’s also growing numbers of Brits seeking fertility procedures at overseas clinics. Egg freezing has not only seen the largest increase in enquiries in the UK, but also abroad. Spain has developed an international reputation as an IVF destination, and UK patients are following this trend with enquiries into egg freezing at Spanish clinics up by 867% in the past 12 months. More UK patients are also seeking IUI treatments there too, with enquiries in the last year rising by 250%.

With private IVF typically costing £2,256 per round in the UK, it’s easy to see why people are shopping around. Other top overseas locations for this are Greece, Cyprus and the Czech Republic, all of which offer cheaper IVF than the UK. IVF treatment in the Czech Republic, which has seen the highest volume of fertility enquiries to overseas clinics from the UK in the past year, costs £735 per session on average, less than a third of the cost of the same treatment at home.

The following table shows the fertility treatments overseas that have seen the largest increase in enquiries from Brits over the past year, as well as the price difference to the UK:

Treatment	Country of clinic	Increase in enquiries (%)	Average cost UK (£)	Average cost local (£)	Savings in cost vs UK (£)
Egg Freezing	Spain	867%	£2,084	£1,887	£197
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)	Greece	412%	£2,256	£2,173	£83
Egg Donor	India	280%	£2,623	£1,353	£1,270
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)	Spain	250%	£718	£584	£134
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)	Cyprus	200%	£2,256	£1,845	£411
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)	Cyprus	173%	£3,480	£3,874	-£394
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)	Czech Republic	162%	£3,279	£198	£3,081
Fertility Specialist Consultation	Turkey	115%	£163	£85	£78
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)	Czech Republic	64%	£2,256	£735	£1,521
Fertility Specialist Consultation	Bulgaria	61%	£163	£13	£150
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)	South Africa	50%	£2,256	£1,789	£467
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)	Poland	44%	£2,256	£1,135	£1,121
Artificial Insemination	Spain	18%	£988	£594	£394

 

Gynaecologist Mr Kiron Bhal, of Cardiff-based Infiniti Healthcare, comments: “More women are pursuing careers and delaying childbirth to later in life which can lead to difficulties conceiving. 

“I am seeing an increasing number of women requesting egg freezing in their 20s and 30s, and choosing to have an IVF cycle when they are in a settled relationship, so there is a trend emerging of younger women, aware they may choose to have children at a later, and less fertile, time of life seeking treatment while they are still young.”

Emily Ross, director of WhatClinic.com, comments: “The cost of private fertility treatment is considerable, especially for those who are not immediately successful. The NHS  does provide IVF but provision is limited. A broad variety of social and economic factors are influencing the increase in demand for private fertility treatment, including egg freezing, demand for embryo donation and IVF.

“Medical tourism has flourished for fertility treatment but, unlike dental work or plastic surgery, cost is not the main driver for looking further afield. While there are significant savings to be made, savvy consumers also travel to avail of the groundbreaking techniques, and to work with worldwide experts at clinics with the highest success rates.

“Fertility treatment can be an emotional, frustrating and expensive process. Finding a clinic that can support you, and deliver the best results while also remaining affordable is no easy thing.”

Las contracciones uterinas aumentan el éxito en la inseminación artificial

Investigadores del Instituto Valenciano de Fertilidad (IVI) han demostrado que el número de contracciones del útero por minuto es un parámetro asociado al éxito en los procedimientos de inseminación artificial.

El estudio, recientemente publicado en la revista Fertility & Sterility, ha sido realizado durante cinco años con datos obtenidos de una muestra de más de 600 mujeres.  

“El número de contracciones uterinas por minuto está positivamente relacionado con la tasa de embarazo clínico y la de recién nacidos vivos tras la realización de una inseminación artificial, siendo especialmente relevante la adecuada sincronización del momento de la inseminación”, explica Manuel Fernández, principal autor del trabajo y director de IVI Sevilla.

Asimismo, tal y como añade Fernández, “cuando el número de contracciones es elevado, las tasas de embarazo y de recién nacidos vivos son también significativamente altas”.

“Cuando el número de contracciones es elevado, las tasas de embarazo y de recién nacidos vivos son también significativamente altas”

La inseminación artificial es, según los expertos, una de las técnicas de reproducción asistida que menor evolución ha tenido durante los últimos años, ya que ha ido perdiendo importancia en pro de otras técnicas de mayor complejidad que presentan mayores tasas de éxito por ciclo.

Se trata de uno de los procedimientos de reproducción asistida más fisiológicos y más realizados por su baja complejidad. Los datos sostienen que esta técnica tiene una tasa de éxito por ciclo de un 15-20% si se realiza con el esperma de la pareja, y de un 25% si se lleva a cabo con semen de donante.

Predictores de la tasa de recién nacidos

En el estudio también se han detectado otras variables predictoras independientes de la tasa de recién nacidos vivos tras una inseminación artificial: tipo de tratamiento de inseminación (esperma de pareja o de donante), edad materna y número de folículos.

“Hemos observado que es clave sincronizar el día de la inseminación con el momento de la ruptura folicular [en el que se libera el óvulo] para mejorar los resultados de este tipo de tratamientos. Si con este y otros estudios conseguimos mejorar las tasas de éxito de las inseminación artificial, estaremos contribuyendo a un importante avance dado que es el tratamiento más accesible y más realizado en la actualidad”, concluye Fernández.

++Fuente:  SINC