Bad news and head so unclear...

[peartree]

Hi all,

I don't know where to start - million and one things swimming around my head just now because our doctor is just. so. crap.

So, DH's results came back today and we managed to get a print out.

1st time - sperm to low to count, rapid motility 6%
2nd time - sperm < 1million/ml, rapid motility 8%, too low to analyse morphology.

When DH asked, "does that mean I'm infertile" (broke my heart to hear him sound so scared ), the doc replied, "yes".

He said he'd never dealt with male factor before (REALLY??? in all his 30+ years as a GP??!) and it was usually 'a problem with the woman'. He referred us to a consultant who specialises in obstetrics and gynaecology... I guess what I want to know is, does that seem right? It sounds more like the guy would be specialist in woman's area? We mentioned that DH had an op when he was younger which could(?) have affected him, so thought that he'd refer us to a urologist or something...

Sorry for the long post, but could someone clarify? I have absolutely no faith in my GP.

 

[kristy87]

im sorry he was so insensitive hun. people like that have obviously never dealt with anything problematic during ttc.

you get refferred to gynae, because although its a male factor, you will need tests aswell. can i ask what op he had?

i hope you and oh are ok. any time you need to vent, we are all here. xxxxxx

 

[kristy87]

oh, and no he is wrong, im sure male infertility accounts for about 30-40% of infetility. what an arse

xxxx

 

[hopefulfor09]

Oh Honey, I am sorry to hear that. I thik a urologist is in order, not an OB/GYn - that's for women - you're right. I think it may be a good idea to ask your GP to refer you to a fertility specialist or an infertility specialist....GPs are not experts in fertility and have no business saying things like what you're doc said to your DH.

May I ask what type of operation he had? DH and I are at the same stage as you only waiting for semen analyses...my DH also had an operation about 4 years ago for a kidney stone that was stuck in his urethra (at the end of his penis) and I have voiced this concern to doc and she says it's not likely but possible, if they suspect that after his results come in - he will be referred to a urologist.

MY GP told me he would never even try to do a semen analysis because fertility clinics do it much better and would want their own tests anyway. I would ask for a referral asap. I am sorry you've had a hard time of it honey. This stuff is hard enough without doctors saying things they have no business saying.

Big hugs.

 

[peartree]

He had undescended testes.

I've just read up that the op to correct this should have been taken before 6 months and definitely no later than 2 years, and longer than this results in subfertility. He didn't get op until he was in secondary school, he says.

 

[Sprat]

My DH had not great test results - but we got referred to a gynaecologist. The GP said the gynaecologist might then refer him to a urologist. I think being referred to the gynae is just the next step. Also because they want to do more tests on us women! There is only really one test for the men!

We had out appt with the gynae a couple of weeks ago and she has asked DH to do another test - I guess she will then decide whether to refer him or not. I am beginning to think the GP tests are pointless because I am having to repeat blood tests that were done on wrong days etc. GPs are not specialists and in my experience don't seem to have much idea! Our GP didn't seem to think it was a problem at all that DG smokes - even though most people seem to be under the impression that it affects sperm AND you can't have IVF in our area unless you are a non-smoker! But try telling DH that when the GP has said it is fine!!

Good luck honey. How long have you been trying for? xx

 

[BizyBee]

 

[latestarter]

Hi PearTree,

I'm sorry about your news. I would try to get your GP to refer you directly to a reproductive endocrinologist (fertility specialist). I didn't go to a gyno at all - went straight to an RE from my GP. But I'm in Canada - so maybe its different.

I don't know much about male factor, but I think there are things you (he) can do to improve count.

Good luck.

 

[rachelle1975]

Hey hun

DH is NOT infertile and your GP is a tosser!!

Okay, so the situation isn't idea and at the moment, the current bath of aren't great BUT you can improve the situation and the turnaround time takes as long as sperm matures... which is 70 to 90 days.

In August DH got 1 million sperm. The GP made him repeat it 4 weeks later even though there was no reason to do it so soon and again, 1 million. Our GP said eat onions it'll help... stupid bloody woman!!

We got DH on a vitamin regime that was advertised in the Zita West Book - took Wellman's, got Maca from the web and took that, he takes 1000mg of vit c every day as well. He changed his diet, took up more exercise and cut down on cycling, hot baths and beer. In 3 months his count went up by 800% to 8 million - i know it's still low but it's a lot closer to 20 million than it was. He is due another SA next month to see if it's gone up further and i feel very positive.

If your GP has had undescended testicles as a child it can cause this problem, as can varicoles... but according to the NHS 99% of men who have a low count on their first SA go on to have a normal result by their second one.

DH is not infertile hun, i promise you - when there are sperm, there is hope and there is always a way to improve your chances

 

[peartree]

Thank you for the replies everybody - really means a lot.

Thanks Sprat - I guess we will have to wait to see the ob/gyn and see how things go from there. GP couldn't tell us how long the waiting list is, he didn't seem to know anything that could help us make decisions!


Latestarter - I'm not sure. Will just wait to see ob/gyn and see how things go.

Rachelle - it was our second count. The first was too low to count, and this second one is <1million. Thanks for the information - we bought zinc and B vits last week for him. Will try anything now! Thank you for the hope. Glad to see that your DH counts have improved - isn't it funny how much we can be affected emotionally by a sheet with a number on it?

Lots of tears and anger last night from both of us. Anger at the hospital for not noticing when he was born (he was one month premature and the incidence of this happening in premmies is 1/3), anger at health visitors for not noticing, anger at his parents for not noticing until he was so old! This morning, I've directed anger at his mum. The docs who performed the op would have known his fertility was impaired. Did they tell his mum? They would have, I'm sure. Does his mum know? Did she think of telling us?????!!! Was she just crossing her fingers for grandchildren??!!

I think if we hear from the hospital and it's going to be any more than a couple of months, we will opt for private. I guess things like low sperm count won't be covered by his work medical insurance, huh?

To work - will forget about this for the working day.

Hopefully talk to you girls tonight. Thanks again.

 

[Dilek]

Hey Hun

I dont know much about mens side of fertility issues, as our problem is definately me. But i really wanted to send you a hug and hope you might feel a bit better through the day. We are all here to chat and support you.

 

[obe]

Hi hun,
Your OH results sound similar to my OH, I cant quite remember all the details of the sperm count when the doctor explained them to us (when your in that situation is alot to take in!) but his moility is 7% - 1 mill. Our doctor has been great and explained it doesnt mean I cant fall pregnant, it just makes it harder. So dont give up hope!
I have been sent for tests - two blood tests, swab and scans (the scans I have just had today) and then I will need to go back to my doctor to discuss the results and where we go from here.
Her advise was just to keep trying, but we will prob be refferd to a FS.
Please dont let what the doctor has said put you down, stay positive and keep pushing for answers and advice, change doctors if you can.
There are plenty of ladies on here who can point you in the right direction and what questions you need to ask if you ever feel lost!

 

[Sprat]

Thanks Sprat - I guess we will have to wait to see the ob/gyn and see how things go from there. GP couldn't tell us how long the waiting list is, he didn't seem to know anything that could help us make decisions!
We've been trying for over a year now.

Just to give you an idea of what happened next for us - we waited about a month for our appointment with the gynae. She was brilliant - went through everything with us that was going to happen but was very focused on me. (I think they always have to do all the tests on us women no matter what).
I am booked in for an HSG, pevic ultra sound and more blood tests. This will all be done over the next couple of months - then we ttc for 4 months (because apparently HSG can help flush things through and make the path clearer??) then we go back and look into fertility drugs, if that doesn't work we go back and look into IVF. I don't know how much that will differ with your SA - but the gynae will be able to give you much more answers than the GP and will be able to refer you on to a urologist.
After our SA (which was not great) I bought his and hers prenatal tablets by Sanatogen - we will find out with the next SA if it has made any difference.
Good luck hun xxxxxxxx

 

[rachelle1975]

He had undescended testes.

I've just read up that the op to correct this should have been taken before 6 months and definitely no later than 2 years, and longer than this results in subfertility. He didn't get op until he was in secondary school, he says.

forgot to say - my DH had his op at 6 years of age and his count is going up

 

[peartree]

Thanks everyone.

Didn't come on last night and tried to forget about it. DH called his mum to ask for history, and she didn't seem surprised nor concerned that we're having problems. Apparently, she was very matter -of-fact and didn't ask any questions. I'm seriously pissed with her at the moment as I think she knew and we needn't have all this time.

Obe - our DH SA results are similar. Your doc sounds great and seems to know what she's talking about. I wonder if it's cos she's a woman who empathises with how sensitive TTC is?

Sprat - thank you so much - at least now I have an idea of what to expect. Did I mention that my GP was p.a.n.t.s?

Rachelle - thank you for sharing. Will definitely be putting DH on those vitamins!

Right - off to work. So glad it's Friday!!!!

 

[Mrs G]

He had undescended testes.

I've just read up that the op to correct this should have been taken before 6 months and definitely no later than 2 years, and longer than this results in subfertility. He didn't get op until he was in secondary school, he says.

forgot to say - my DH had his op at 6 years of age and his count is going up

Hi hun

My dh had an undescended testicle removed at the age of 23. He doesn't have a great count and FS says this is prob the reason but please don't think all is lost.

 

[Sprat]

I can't believe DH's Mum! I completely understand why you are angry! I would be livid!!!!

As Mrs G says there is still plenty of hope though. These days it is rare that they can't help, for some of us though it just takes a little longer and we have to be more patient. !!!

 

[MayMay]

Where there's sperm, there's a way!!!!!!

ask questions, make demands, and don't be afraid to know more than your GP. I'd get hubby to the urologist, check out retrograde ejaculation, do his blood test hormone levels cuz that'll tell ya lots about what his body is really doing... TESA or MESA can get those swimmers out and they can do all kinds of things with the sperm once they got them to get you two on your way to babyland...my advice in short, be assertive cuz doctors just do what doctors do and at the end of the day it's you who has to live with it all.

hang in there!

 

[peartree]

I can't believe DH's Mum! I completely understand why you are angry! I would be livid!!!!

Normally, I would be, but I just can't seem to feel any emotion other than mild sadness, mild anger, mild happiness at the moment??? Just wait til comes, THEN I'll be summoning up my mighty hormone fortified lividness and directing it at her.

MayMay - thanks - I should be more proactive in this, I know. I'll just mope for a few more days and start doing my research and plan our next steps.

Having read a lot of posts elsewhere, there seems to be a need for a wait between SA. Well, we had ours done exactly two weeks apart. I am now officially going to hand the award of N.U.M.P.Y.Y. to my GP.

Oh, in other news, I got a this morning, and FF has changed my ovulation day to a whole week later, where we didn't BD. PANTS! I have no idea what's happening this cycle. I've only ever had such a long cycle once, the month before my wedding.

 

[Sprat]

Oh, in other news, I got a this morning, and FF has changed my ovulation day to a whole week later, where we didn't BD. PANTS! I have no idea what's happening this cycle. I've only ever had such a long cycle once, the month before my wedding.

Have you tried using OPKs at all? When we got our SA results I had a look into it and it seems that if the count is lower than you should try to have less because the more you the less concentrated the is. So quality rather than quantity! My plan is to try to just once around ovulation using OPKs to indicate when it will be. It looks like you the day after ovulation and 3 days before so all is not lost. It is so difficult to know what to do though!!!!
xxxx