Supporting the treatment of infertility using psychological methods.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to review the current state of knowledge regarding the treatment of emotional consequences of infertility using psychosocial interventions and their effectiveness. REVIEW METHODS: The review was based on data obtained from scientific articles published in the Pub Med, Science Direct, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMbase, and The Cochrane Library between 1997-2022. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE: Assistance offered to persons afflicted by the problem of infertility may take various forms, depending not only on the needs of those interested and the stage of treatment, but also on the capabilities of the staff (type and level of education). Commonly available, well-developed and researched methods of therapy are most frequently applied, often expanded by such elements as education concerning fertility and life style, and information about diagnosis and treatment. Modified methods of psychological intervention specially adjusted to persons struggling with infertility are also used. The indicators of the effectiveness of these methods are: reduction of stress, better coping with difficulties, decrease in the rates of psychological disorders, as well as an improvement of sperm parameters in men, and an increase in pregnancy and live birth rates. SUMMARY: The most frequently recommended methods of psychosocial intervention are these based on cognitive behavioural therapy and variants of stress reduction techniques. It is recommended that patients with infertility are provided with psychological care throughout the treatment period, and that the medical staff is equipped with standardized methods of assessing their mental state.

Low frequency electromagnetic waves increase human sperm motility - A pilot study revealing the potent effect of 43 kHz radiation.

OBJECTIVES: Abnormalities in the timing and course of spermatozoa capacitation and hyperactivation underlie common pathologies related to male infertility. Recent data shows that low frequency electromagnetic waves may influence cell membrane potential and permeability. It is therefore possible that low frequency electromagnetic waves could affect the maturation and motility processes of spermatozoa. The 43-kHz wave generator was used for modeling the impact of environmental exposure to low frequency electromagnetic radiation on human sperm. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sperm samples were gathered from 103 fertile, healthy men aged 25-30 years old and performed computer-assisted sperm analysis. After initial examination, each participant's semen sample was divided into 2 aliquots (control and experimental) and placed in separate automated incubators. The samples constituting the experimental group were placed into the exposure system that emitted 43-kHz electromagnetic waves. Sperm motility was assessed at 3 h, 12 h and 24 h. RESULTS: Exposure to a 43-kHz radio frequency increased the percentage of sperm in progressive motility by up to 5.8% and the velocity of said sperm by up to 2 µm/s. Moreover, the total number of hyperactivated spermatozoa was significantly increased in the semen exposed to the electromagnetic signal. CONCLUSIONS: In vivo environmental exposure to 43-kHz waves may promote the development of infertility related to premature capacitation outside of the vaginal tract. Exposing semen to this particular frequency may also boost the capacitation and hyperactivation of spermatozoa in vitro, prior to conducting assisted reproductive therapies.Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(6):723-739.

Effect of electromagnetic waves on human reproduction.

Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitting from the natural environment, as well as from the use of industrial and everyday appliances, constantly influence the human body. The effect of this type of energy on living tissues may exert various effects on their functioning, although the mechanisms conditioning this phenomenon have not been fully explained. It may be expected that the interactions between electromagnetic radiation and the living organism would depend on the amount and parameters of the transmitted energy and type of tissue exposed. Electromagnetic waves exert an influence on human reproduction by affecting the male and female reproductive systems, the developing embryo, and subsequently, the foetus. Knowledge concerning this problem is still being expanded; however, all the conditionings of human reproduction still remain unknown. The study presents the current state of knowledge concerning the problem, based on the latest scientific reports.

Comparison of selected sperm parameters between 6,278 males in Poland and Ukraine.

The phenomenon of deterioration of the quality of sperm in Poland and Ukraine has not been unequivocally evidenced by scientific research. Spermiogramms of males reporting for the first time to infertility treatment centres in both countries were examined, and trends in changes of selected sperm parameters analyzed during the period of study. Analyses covered the spermiograms of 6,278 men living in the examined regions for at least 3 years. It was found that mean sperm concentration of patients in the Lublin and the Lvov regions did not differ, but the total mean number of spermatozoa produced by Poles was higher than in Ukrainians. The quality of semen with respect to motility and sperm morphology was better in Ukrainian than Polish patients. Despite differences concerning concentration, the amount of sperm produced and percentage of spermatozoa showing progressive motility which occurred between individual years, no clear tendency was observed towards change of these parameters in a specified direction in both countries during the years examined. Among men examined in the Lublin Region, a tendency was noted towards decrease in the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa in the ejaculate, while among patients from the Lvov Region an opposite tendency was observed.