Follow up with FS - next steps

[smurfy]

Hi All

We went to see FS in mid march, my husbands sperm concentration was half of what it should be, they but him on vitamins etc to help well it has really helped, count is now up to 12m where it should be nearer 15m, the mobility is 20% more than in needs to be. So the FS is really pleased and thinks he could increased to over 15m, if he continues with vitamins and thinks 12m is still good.

I don;t appear to have any issues after scan and blood test to confirm i was ovualting, now she wants to check my tubes so will be going in for that very soon, then she wants to put me on clomid for 6 months as she says will increase our chances of getting pregnant as we don't always ovulate every cycle.

Slightly releived we are not going down the IVF just yet and i think it makes sense due the improvements and currently no known issues with me.

Any one else had similiar feedback thinking they may go with IVF but then had a slight change?

Thanks

 

[hopster]

Hi smurfy,

It sounds like your FS is being very conservative and I am a bit surprised that it is only now that you would going for the hsg. Have you asked your FS about going straight to clomid + IUI? It seems to me that with a lower sperm count, even with IUI, the odds are very low. We did clomid + IUI and were told 7-12% chance of success.

I don't know how old you are, but I am 35, DH 38 and we are unexplained, ttc since May 2011. Our RE said odds of conceiving with clomid alone was 5-7%, not very high, and my hubby apparently has super sperm.

I just mention this because I have no idea how long you have been trying or how quickly you want to be pregnant as these would factor into what treatment decision you choose. Good luck with the hsg, it is slightly uncomfortable and take some ibuprofen an hour before.

 

[smurfy]

Hi smurfy,

It sounds like your FS is being very conservative and I am a bit surprised that it is only now that you would going for the hsg. Have you asked your FS about going straight to clomid + IUI? It seems to me that with a lower sperm count, even with IUI, the odds are very low. We did clomid + IUI and were told 7-12% chance of success.

I don't know how old you are, but I am 35, DH 38 and we are unexplained, ttc since May 2011. Our RE said odds of conceiving with clomid alone was 5-7%, not very high, and my hubby apparently has super sperm.

I just mention this because I have no idea how long you have been trying or how quickly you want to be pregnant as these would factor into what treatment decision you choose. Good luck with the hsg, it is slightly uncomfortable and take some ibuprofen an hour before.

Thanks for replying. they said they would wait until my husband had another sperm test before i had HSG as it may be irrelevant. i was pregnant back 7 years ago, so they said it was unlikely there were blocked, i have had an internal scan and what they could see look ok, but the HSG will confirm hopefully.

We have been trying on and for about 1.5 to 2 years and i have just turned 36, at least 6 mths of that time my husband was pretty ill on drugs etc. i want to get pregnant asap but she is saying 6 mths of clomid might be worth waiting for expecially as now my husbands sperm count has increased already in 3 mths. Hard to know, but the rates do look low. I have HSG next week so will see how that goes.

So does your partner have low sperm count too?

 

[hopster]

No my DH apparently has super sperm. No reasons found for our IF. We just had an ectopic with our 4th IUI + gonal-f and the RE said it may suggest a tubal issue, although my hsg was all clear, there is no way to know why.

Are you seeing an OBGYN or going to a fertility clinic? We go to a fertility clinic (Canada) and our timeline was this:

1 yr ttc on our own > go to GP to start investigations (bloodwork, ultrasound, MRI, & eventual referral to fertility clinic) > at clinic now, have hsg, sperm analysis & follow up appointment (we are now 1 1/2 yrs ttc) > start clomid X 3 months > clomid + IUI X 3 months > gonal-f + IUI = ectopic > now waiting post methtrexate for either another injectable + IUI or IVF (we just passed the 2 year ttc mark)

I guess I just feel more strongly about more aggressive treatments because of my age and my impatience to get on with life. Let me know how your hsg goes...

 

[smurfy]

No my DH apparently has super sperm. No reasons found for our IF. We just had an ectopic with our 4th IUI + gonal-f and the RE said it may suggest a tubal issue, although my hsg was all clear, there is no way to know why.

Are you seeing an OBGYN or going to a fertility clinic? We go to a fertility clinic (Canada) and our timeline was this:

1 yr ttc on our own > go to GP to start investigations (bloodwork, ultrasound, MRI, & eventual referral to fertility clinic) > at clinic now, have hsg, sperm analysis & follow up appointment (we are now 1 1/2 yrs ttc) > start clomid X 3 months > clomid + IUI X 3 months > gonal-f + IUI = ectopic > now waiting post methtrexate for either another injectable + IUI or IVF (we just passed the 2 year ttc mark)

I guess I just feel more strongly about more aggressive treatments because of my age and my impatience to get on with life. Let me know how your hsg goes...

Sorry about your etopic i hope you are recovering well

similiar to UK 1 yr minimum on your own, then they start with womens bloods and i was given an internal scan as i was having some ovulation pain, both blood and scan showed i was ovulating. As my husband was sick they said to wait until he was off all medication so waited for another 3-4 mths then we could see his count was low but improved alot in last 3 months. I wish they had done the HSG at the same time as we wouldnt have had to wait now for that and to go on clomid. So now clomid for 3-6 mths normally in the UK if that doesnt work then straight to IVF. In the UK they dont recommend IUI for my current situation.

Agree though starting to get impatient - i am not sure because we have to pay for IVF she may be trying to help us out and see if clomid works even with low odds, but to be honest i just want to get pregnant now

 

[hopster]

thanks smurfy. I just want to be pregnant now too! unfortunately have to wait 3 months to try again. We will do IVF, also have no coverage here so it will be pricey, but hopefully worth it.

It is so interesting how much healthcare differs in different countries. I found the clomid made me very dry, we had to use preseed (a conception safe lubricant). Also tried softcups to hold the sperm near my cervix and guafanesin (spelling?) to "loosen up the mucous"

Hope your hubby stays health and sperm get stronger! Good luck on the clomid.