PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--While infertility impacts one in every six couples in the United States, serving in the military can further complicate conception issues as injuries and deployments, primarily occurring during peak reproduction years, can disrupt the ability to conceive. Injuries aside, nearly half of all U.S. military officers are between the ages of 26 and 35, and roughly two-thirds of enlisted personnel are younger than 30, meaning the majority of the Armed Forces are sacrificing their prime reproductive years to serve their country, with key time spent away from their partners or spouses1.
The issue of conception by military couples is further compounded by the decision of Veteran Affairs (VA) to not cover advanced treatments for infertility. “The VA does not currently provide coverage for the costs of in vitro fertilization and more specific treatments for veterans, even if their fertility issues are a result of combat or training injuries,” explains U.S. Army veteran Stephen Bollinger, President and CEO of Rinovum Women’s Health, and co-creator of the Stork OTC home conception device. Bollinger co-developed Stork OTC after experiencing infertility issues when trying to conceive his first child.
“The Stork OTC offers the first at-home and economical way to use the proven medical technique of cervical cap insemination, once only available in a clinic setting, to help with conception,” explains Dr. Michael J. Pelekanos, board-certified OB/GYN in Monroeville, PA. “It can be effective for those in the military who are trying to better control timing or to assist in the delivery of sperm to the cervix in those cases where injury to the veteran makes this impossible through natural intercourse.”
The Stork OTC uses a condom-like sheath for the collection of sperm and an easy-to-use tampon-like applicator which delivers the cervical cap of sperm close to the cervical opening. It is available for purchase at select retailers nationwide and online for the average retail price of $79.99, making it more accessible and less expensive than other first-line options for all couples trying to conceive. To learn more about how it works, watch the full video here. For more information and store availability, as well as pregnancy stories, visit www.storkotc.com.
About The Stork Ib2C, Inc., A Rinovum Women’s Health Company
Rinovum Women's Health is a privately held women's health company dedicated to bringing products into the market that will enhance women's lives and empower them to take charge of their health. The Stork Ib2C, Inc., A Rinovum Women’s Health Company, launched its flagship product, The Stork® OTC, which is a conception device for reproductive health to assist in natural fertility and conception in the privacy of the patient’s home. Rinovum Women's Health aims to support the development of products that are easy-to-use and safe, as well as a more economical way for a couple to address some of these issues. For more information about Rinovum Women's Health, The Stork Ib2C, Inc., and The Stork OTC, visit www.rinovum.com and www.storkotc.com.
1 http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/02/fertility-women-soldiers/471537/
