interview

• In the society of 5 or 10 years from now
  I want "trying to conceive as a couple" to become the norm.
  by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

  • Miyashita: We started airing TV commercials for our ovulation prediction test kit, "Do-Test LHa," in 2016. Since then, we've been promoting it with the theme of "couples trying to conceive," but we can't say it's fully ingrained yet. In order to spread the word even further, we're thinking of publishing data in a "White Paper on Trying to Conceive" and sharing it with the world, hoping that in 5 or 10 years, "couples trying to conceive" will become the norm.
  • Ota-san: Trying to conceive is something that couples should work on together. However, when things don't go well, people tend to get emotional and blame each other, but I hope that having objective data will deepen understanding between men and women. I feel hopeful that 44% of respondents in the "White Paper on Trying to Conceive" survey said they were able to do "trying to conceive together as a couple."

• Ovulation prediction test kits are data-driven.
  This might be a gadget more suited to men.
  by Ota

  • Miyashita: A colleague of mine encountered some men in their 20s on the train talking about trying to conceive, and one of them suggested, "Why don't you try using an ovulation test kit?" One woman said she had been using an ovulation test kit secretly from her husband, but after he saw a TV commercial, he suggested she try it, and she said it made her feel much better. I hope that with the influence of TV commercials, ovulation test kits will become more widely known among men, and that "trying to conceive together as a couple" will become even more widespread.
  • Ota-san: It's great that men have become aware of ovulation prediction test kits, and that women are now more open about using them. Generally speaking, men like data. Using ovulation prediction test kits in addition to basal body temperature makes the results more reliable and easier for men to accept. It might be a gadget that men will like.

• From one week before ovulation
  Deepen physical intimacy and move towards a more intimate married life.
  by Ota

  • Miyashita: Recently, with programs about male infertility being broadcast and male celebrities openly sharing their experiences with infertility treatment, it seems that the idea that fertility treatment is a joint effort between men and women is becoming more established. On the other hand, some men feel pressured to have intercourse on the day of ovulation. How can we approach such men to help their marital life go smoothly?
  • Ota-san: By using basal body temperature and ovulation prediction test strips, men can get a general idea of the timing, so how about increasing physical intimacy leading up to ovulation? When you have physical intimacy, a hormone called oxytocin is released, which makes you want to have even more physical intimacy. So, starting about a week before ovulation, hugging before bed or taking a bath together might make it easier to have sex in time for ovulation. Physical intimacy is important not only for trying to conceive, but also for maintaining a close marital relationship in the long term, so I think it's good to be mindful of it.

• By having a conversation without fear of conflict
  Each couple's unique dynamic becomes apparent.
  by Ota

  • Miyashita: Looking at the data collected for the "Fertility Treatment White Paper," we see that women feel men are not very cooperative when it comes to fertility treatment, and men express concern that women may become emotionally unstable. Why is there such a disconnect in perception? Fertility treatment is a topic that women choose to talk to about carefully, even among themselves, so women have a strong desire to have their partners listen to them.
  • Ota-san: Men want to help their wives when they feel insecure, but they don't know how to resolve the issue. Women then perceive such men as uncooperative. Perhaps this leads to a lack of communication as both parties become overly considerate of each other. Sensitive topics in a marriage are often avoided because they can trigger arguments. However, arguments aren't necessarily bad, and they're inevitable when you've been together for a long time. By revealing your true feelings to each other, you might see each other's unpleasant sides, but I hope you'll communicate without fear. However, the important things in a marital argument are not to try to win and not to rush the resolution. Just say what you really feel and leave it at that. By taking some time to understand each other's perspectives, I think the unique dynamic of each couple will naturally emerge.
  • Miyashita: For example, instead of just the woman telling her partner when she's ovulating, if the man asks, "When is your ovulation day?", it can create a sense of unity in trying to conceive together. I think that gradually deepening communication between husband and wife will lead to a sense of working on conceiving together as a couple. Trying to conceive is something that couples should work on together, and as a first step, there are ovulation prediction test kits that can be used at home. I hope you will find them useful.

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