Self-driving cars, robot bartenders, and space vehicles landing on Mars – technology advancements have come a long way in the past few years and it’s great to see that the world of infertility has not been forgotten. Scientists continue to work on new discoveries that will help millions of couples who struggle with infertility have the family they so desire.
Between what the future holds for fertility and bringing back ancient traditions for future treatments, there’s a positive outlook for what’s to come.
The Future of Fertility for Men
For infertility in men, scientists have done the seemingly impossible by constructing microscopic metal motors to fit around the tail of a single sperm to improve the mobility. Not only is that impressive, but these devices can be controlled by a magnetic field to steer the sperm directly to the egg and release it there. This device is aptly named the “Spermbot” and have shown to be very promising for the future of infertility disorders. The best sperm may not always be the fastest sperm, but when this new technology is combined with sample staining to find the best candidates, we can have more successful pregnancies and births without congenital defects.
Scientists are still in the early stages of this discovery and have only experimented with bull sperm in petri dishes so far, as there are still some technicalities that need to be worked out before introducing the Spermbot to humans. We may have some time to go with this technology but the fact that scientists are working hard to solve these issues only gives hope and peace of mind to those struggling with infertility.
The Future of Fertility for Women
There are many advancements on the horizon for women who struggle with infertility. While treatments like IVF and IUI have served us well, new technology is changing the way we make babies. For example, women can see how fertile they are with a simple pinprick at home, much like today’s mail-order genetics tests. This means that young women planning to become pregnant can have a better idea of their fertility timeline without costly medical bills and doctor visits. There have also been major advancements in egg-freezing and, more importantly, buy-in from large companies such as Apple and Google.
A Blast From the Past: Is the “Future” of Fertility Actually Centuries Old?
Although the practice has been used to treat many ailments for hundreds of years, acupuncture has now become more popular in treating individuals who experience issues with fertility and it just might be the answer you’re looking for. Among numerous other benefits, acupuncture can increase fertility by reducing stress, increase blood flow to the reproductive organs and balance the endocrine system.
Better Blood Flow
Acupuncture provides better blood flow to the ovaries, endometrium area, and uterus, creating a stronger chance for an egg to be healthy and carried to term. Patients are commonly treated for three to four months before progressing to insemination, IVF, or donor – egg transfer. This process seems to have a therapeutic effect on individuals as it’s relaxing and comfortable.
Balanced Hormones
The balance between hormones and reproduction is sensitive. If a person’s body and mind are stressed, their hormones are likely to be impacted. Stress can prevent a woman from ovulating, which can contribute to some causes of female infertility. Stress may also create spasms in the fallopian tubes or the uterus, which can interfere with the movement and implantation of a fertilized egg.
The relaxing process of acupuncture can balance hormones and relieve stress, which may help reproductive hormones flow more smoothly. For men with infertility issues, stress can alter sperm counts, sperm motility, or cause impotence. Acupuncture infertility treatment counters the effects of stress by releasing endorphins in the brain.
It is important to remember, though, that not all causes of infertility are treatable with acupuncture. Cases of tubal adhesions as a result of pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis cannot be reversed with acupuncture.
Flying cars and unfashionable white space suits are a thing of the past. Instead, science has provided us with useful technology to help those struggling with infertility who strive to expand their family. IVF and IUI treatments have done wonderous things for couples and families and taking the next step in treatment discovery will lead to a hopeful future for fertility.
