Male Infertility: Did You Know That Sperm Count Is Dramatically Declining?

spermmensfertilityIt’s Men’s Health Week (9th-15th June 2014) and whilst much has been written about the previously taboo male health topics such as prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction, the area of male infertility has, until recently, been relatively ignored. Most information and support around infertility is directed at women, however in 40% of cases, the cause of the problem lies with the man.1

Recently, doctors and researchers have been looking at the decline in sperm quality in all men, one of the more common causes of male infertility, and speculating on the causes for this alarming and growing problem. Up to a fifth of young men today have a low sperm count (defined as fewer than 20 million sperm per millilitre of semen2) and the number of sperm in each millilitre of semen has halved between World War Two and 1992, while abnormal sperm is on the rise.3 We can’t be sure why this is happening, although a recent study suggests that a combination of different chemicals found in everyday packaging and toiletries, may be having an impact.

To help couples who are trying for a baby but may be experiencing issues such as low sperm count and motility issues, The Stork is a new home conception aid, which uses cervical cap insemination and bridges the gap between starting to try for a baby and in-clinic treatment options.

“Male fertility is an area which has been greatly over looked over the last few years so it’s encouraging to see this research examining the causes. It’s important for men to think about their fertility – not just their partner’s – when planning a family. Overheating, obesity, alcohol consumption and smoking can all impair sperm quality and motility. Some men may feel their masculinity is compromised in some way when they learn they could have fertility issues, check this as it is better to deal with these head on than bury your head in the sand. Ask your doctor to investigate what might be the cause so you can identify potential solutions. For some couples with low sperm count or low motility, the new at-home conception aid, The Stork, can help because it puts the sperm as close to the egg as possible,” said Professor Ellis Downes, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

1. Schiffer C., Müller A., Egeberg D. L., Alvarez L., Brenker C., Rehfeld A., Frederiksen H., Wäschle B., Kaupp U. B., Balbach M., Wachten D., Skakkebaek N. E., Almstrup K. and Strünker T. (2014), Direct action of endocrine disrupting chemicals on human sperm. EMBO

2. NHS Choices: Low sperm count. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/low-sperm-count/Pages/Introduction.aspx [Last accessed June 2014]

3. Elizabeth Carlsen and others, “Evidence for decreasing quality of semen during the past 50 years,” British Medical Journal, 305, 1992, 609-613

Wrong But Funny: The EnglandKini

With the World Cup around the corner the players will be playing in scorching temperatures this summer in Brazil. UK company ThumbsUp! Have designed a kit that will keep the players very cool, they just need the players to get the kit. ThumbsUp! Are hoping a journalist can drop off the kits in Brazil, so the England players can wear a kit that will keep them cool this summer.”englandkini

Whilst it’s clearly a novelty product, creator ThumbsUp! say “It’s the perfect kit to keep cool in Brazil and it’ll definitely keep their Brazil Nuts covered.” Whilst fans have clearly seen the funny side, you can expect to see pubs, full of men ‘fitting’ into the Englandkini’s whilst cheering on Rooney and Co this summer. ThumbsUp! said “We hope we can get some to the players as we’re sure they’d see the funny side.”

The newly launched EnglandKini has been snapped up by hoards of fans as it’s cheaper than an official England Jersey. Fans can now support the Three Lions at a fraction of the cost.

The EnglandKini costs just £7.99 from Amazon. But are you brave enough to wear it?

Interview with Mem Freda

What made you get into acting?

As a child I was always fascinated by these ‘beings’ that lived inside our TV set! I was 
convinced I would see them leave from the back of the TV after a show was over, if I waited 
long enough!

Born with such a wild imagination, the decision was not a conscious one, but a route destined 
to happen. Often I would roll around the living room floor wrestling with pillows 
(crocodiles) having just seen an episode of Tarzan. 

Not much changed into adulthood, where I would recite dialogue from films I’d seen, with an 
attempt at replicating the characters. Eventually, I realized that the energy I had was best 
channeled into acting, hence, it chose me, as much as I chose it, as a career. 

Mem

 

What is the strangest role you have been offered?

Its very rare I find anything ‘strange’.

Once I was asked to be in a commercial, and was paid £38,000.00 for two hours work and when the 
advert was aired, all you saw was the side of my nose, that for me was strange!!

 

How do you prepare for a role?

Often when you land a role, you have background information at your disposal, from the script, 
the director, the character breakdowns etc.

Depending on whether the character is fictitious or not, will determine the nature of the 
research one does. If the character in not fictitious, I would gather as much information 
as possible to build a profile that is as close to the real life personality of that person.
I find it easier when a role is fictitious, as this allows for more freedom to experiment
with different layers to the character, until I find one that best fits to what the writer 
intended.

 

Who is your role model? It could be anyone from the past or present. 

Marlon Brando was my first ‘role model’. I have also always been influenced by the work of
De Niro, Pacino, Penn, Travolta and recently Christian Bale. 

 

You have some amazing films coming out soon, but what has been the most diverse role so far?

I’m excited for audiences to see two films coming out soon in which they will see me in a 
different light. First is BREAKDOWN, in which I play a tortured victim. It stars Craig
Fairbrass, James Cosmo and is directed by Jonnie Malachi and produced by Luke Fairbrass.

The second film is MY HERO, here I play a cockney florist, Simon Flowers, who is a drug lord 
operating out of Margate. Directed by Robert Osman and produced by Katarina Gellin, 
audiences are in for a real treat.

 

Plastic that's out now, is one brilliant film. If you had unlimited funds what would you do 
with it and why?

In terms of film, I would continue developing and producing interesting and stimulating stories 
for audiences to enjoy, appreciate and remember through time. In terms of life, I would set up 
a charity organisation to help others less fortunate. 

 

You do really get all the gritty roles to play in films, but are there any roles that you long 
to play? Like a Romantic comedy, or are you digging deep with the bad guy stuff for now?

I love playing the villain. Having made a career out of it, I still want to pay service to 
playing such roles. However, it is also high time to show my diversity as an actor, 
hence, a romantic comedy,horror, drama, are all avenues for me to explore. And I am 
currently setting these wheels in motion.

 

If you could play any role that is really out of your comfort zone what would it be?

Not sure any role is within my ‘comfort zone’, as all require a substantial amount of work. 
However, what would be fun to play, is a similar role to that of Dustin Hoffman’s role in 
Tootsie.

 

If you could direct any film past or present what would it be and why?

It would be thrilling to do a remake of Boogie Nights. It had me in fits of laughter, so it 
would be fabulous to attempt to make it just as funny.

 
Are their any roles you have played that you felt you changed as a person while filming 
or can you walk away and not get too involved with the character?

After 20 years of psychosis, with each dark and terrifying character I’ve portrayed, you have 
to learn to walk away unaffected. It’s that or strangling the cat when I get home.

To keep sane you have to have full control over reality and fantasy. I did have problems at
the start of my career, but had to deal with them pronto.

 
Who would you love to star with next and why?

I’d love to be able to work with Juliet Lewis. She captured my interest ever since I saw her in 
Kalifornia and Natural Born Killers. She’s a sensational actress and her music ain’t bad either!

 

 Tell us something about yourself that we don't know.

I love horror films and was excited to win an Award at the prestigious
Myrtle Beach International Film Festival for Truth or Dare, which I produced along with
Jessica Cameron and Jonathan S Higgins.I also like to dip crisps into diet coke. 

 
Are you into this whole selfie things and even if you are not who would be the one person in 
history you would love to have a picture with?

Absolutely detest the whole selfie thing! If I were to have a selfie picture with anyone, it 
would be with Elvis.


Dear Kitten Rite of Passage Cat Video Is One of The Best Ever

Now, this video is an advertisement for friskies. It is not a sponsored post, nor are we being paid to share it, we just thought it was pretty cool and it made us smile. Watch it and let us know what you think.

Did you like it?

Lana Del Rey “Feminism? I’m just not really that interested”

Lana Del Rey has said that she is just ‘not interested’ in feminism. She spoke about her views on feminism to The Fader magazine ahead of her new album release, Ultraviolence.

lanadelreyjag_ldr_burning_desire_image_7_130213_Poster lana del rey

Lana said: “Whenever people bring up feminism, I’m like, god. I’m just not really that interested.”  Although she dismissed feminism her definition of feminism is spot on:  “My idea of a true feminist is a woman who feels free enough to do whatever she wants.”

I hope this means she is just sick of talking about feminism and not completely against it. Lana herself fits into this description.

 

 

 

The CIA Join Twitter With The Best Tweet Ever

The CIA Join TwitterThe CIA joined twitter with what is, possibly, the best first tweet ever.

The Twitter account was launched a few days after the CIA opened a Facebook page, on which it honoured D-Day.  The agency will use its social media to post job openings, trivia from the CIA World Fact book, photos and “reflections on intelligence history.” The agency will also partake in Throwback Thursday and event livestreaming.

 

The CIA quickly had over 400,000 followers (now at 584,000) and the tweet has 280,000 retweets and 170,000 favourites. Not bad for three days.

What do you think?

 

 

 

 

Kerastase Hair Product Review

Every girl knows the importance to regular haircuts but after that we are all a little terrible when purchasing good quality products. We rush off to the pharmacy to purchase the latest hair oils and frizz fighting serums and most of them don’t cut the mustard. Well these 2 new products from Kerastase will leave you wallet a little lighter in the short term but will last for around 10 months. So price per wash and style it really is worth investing in the latest hair innovations.

hair products

The Kerastase – ELIXIR ULTIME -125 ml beautifying hair oil is one tough fighter against damaged hair. The more this is used the better the results you will see. It gives hair that perfectly fresh cut, bouncy and smooth as silk feel. I loved this so much as its created dazzling shine, Its the ultimate light and soft oil. You will only need a pea sized drop used on the mid lengths of the hair to really see a change. Over the coming few days using it your hair will get better and better as this is a leave in treatment that can be used all year round with no build up.

It can be used as a pre shampoo, or used on wet or dry hair and this is really well worth the money.

hair

I am also a gluten for beautiful packing and this looks stunning sitting on the dressing table.

P1150341 hair

The DENSIFIQUE Mousse Densimorfhose 150 ml is as you would expect just as awesome as the oil, smells divine and helps you create the most brilliant bouncy styles. Applied on damp towel dried hair at the roots is adds hold, volume and delightful style for more than the first day its used. I loved the fact it didn’t weigh the hair down one little bit. Just remember a little goes a very long way for both these products so one small pump of each should be all you need.

For more beauty and style advice head over to slbstyle.com and come ask me anything beauty related over on Twitter @sarahbacchus as I used to be an educator with some of the leading brands. Now its more about the product photography but I still love giving advice to all you lovely readers. x

Amoir Camaira Holds Model Competition for Ibiza Photo Shoot

Luxury London swimwear brand, Amoir Camaira, launches a model competition to find the face of their 2015 Summer Collection that will be shot in Ibiza.

 

modelsearchmodelingcompetition

Luxury Swimwear brand, Amoir Camaira, are looking for the face of their 2015 Summer Collection. From now until 15 July 2014 at 11:59 PM, women between the ages of 18 and 35 who are residents of the United Kingdom can enter on the Amoir Camaira website.

All travel and accommodation expenses will be covered, and the photo shoot will take place in beautiful Ibiza in early October. The exact date and location will be disclosed once the winner is announced, which will be the 14th of September.

After signing up at www.amoircamaira.co.uk, contestants must submit one unedited head shot and one unedited full body shot. Amoir Camaira will upload the photos to their facebook page and at the end of six weeks, the top ten contestants with the most “likes” and “shares” will become Amoir Camaira finalists. The winner will then be chosen by Amoir Camaira.

For the full terms and conditions and to enter the contest, please visit www.amoircamaira.co.uk.