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Youshouldknow.ca: sexual health news, views and science for women in perimenopause and beyond. Find info on preventing sexually transmitted infections, aging considerations, and relationship dynamics. Supportive information for all of us as we move into our middle years with partners new and old.

Grandchildren in a Glass?

I couldn’t help but follow up on this headline: The End of Sex? on the Stanford School of Medicine blog.  “What?” I thought.  

The blog introduces the concept that sex won’t be necessary for making babies in the future. It profiles a scientist who suggests that as soon as 50 years from now, the majority of baby-making could be done via In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Drag for the couples who enjoy the baby-making, I initially thought. I was relieved to read that the pleasures of sex weren’t being abandoned, but enjoying it as a path to a baby might be.

Developments in fertility medicine in my lifetime have been amazing. I remember the birth of Louise Brown, the world’s first “test tube baby” produced via IVF. It was huge international news. Now babies conceived through IVF are born every day. And it’s not just IVF that has become readily available (if you have the money). There are all kinds of options, from donor insemination to surrogacy.   

Age is a factor in fertility, but not necessarily an insurmountable one. Women in the course of perimenopause or even post menopause can carry babies to term with fertility procedures. It’s not always medically achievable, but it works for some.   

IVF is already considered standard procedure in some circles- will it become standard practice for all? Will my grandchildren be conceived in a glass? I have to think about that.  

-  Janet

Photo: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Previous Posts

Are You Too Old For Sex Education?

While this piece is a few months old, its topic is fresh and troubling: a safe sex education session for adults over 60 was cancelled due to lack of interest. Given that those over 60 are still having lots of sex and enjoying it, it’s not like such a session isn’t necessary.  Big Little Wolf [...]

The Pervasive Myth of the Virgin Cure

I won’t start off with New Year’s resolutions or blasts of the same, as there are plenty of posts out there on the topic at the moment. All I have to say to the general theme is “Love your body NOW.”  I will go on about a recent read, though. Ami McKay’s The Virgin Cure [...]

Happy New Year!

 I’ll admit my chocolate eating holiday didn’t go as planned. We all dropped like zombie dominoes to a nasty cold virus and it ain’t over yet, so this week’s post is just a launch to more interesting reads: Loved this “Best of re:Cycling Blog” list  from the The Society for Menstrual Cycle research.  DO read [...]