FS referral (male factor)?

[MrsRS]

My DH are both 36 and have been referred to the FS after a year of unsuccessful trying.

We have had preliminary tests that show i am ovulating but DH SA came back first time at 1% normal and second time 3% normal (although there was only a month between the SA tests). The GP mentioned that they look for at least 2% but didn't explain what that meant but she came across like it wasn't a problem .

However after some reasearch i believe that you really need over 14% to have normal chance of concieving so our 3% looks pretty slim.

Can any of you ladies offer any advice on what to expect at our FS appt? My understanding is that they would probably want a CD3 test from me and maybe one of them tests to check tubes etc but if DHs count doesn;t improve then is it likely they will offer ivf with ICSI or would they offer IUI first?

Thanks in advance, MrsRSx

 

[jojoD]

Hi there MrsRS

After TTC without any luck the hub and I went to see a FS. He ran day3 and day21 bloods with me and carried out an internal scan. Husband went for SA. My results were all great but the FS said the SA was 'far from good'. After the hub repeating the SA they took this to be our problem so decided they didn't need to run anymore tests with me. They recommended ICSI straight away for male infertility. No mention of IUI

Good luck with everything XX

 

[MrsRS]

thanks jojo, I may be getting ahead of myself a bit but from the investigations ive done DHs SA looks far from good too. The GP said everything else was good so i assume motility and overall count but when she said 3% normal ( i assume morphology) i can't see how that is acceptable for us to concieve naturally.

Good luck with the ICSI, how long until you start?

 

[rachelle1975]

Hey Mrs RS

We had our prelim tests at the GP last August with me having by CD3 and 21 bloods and DH doing a sperm test. I came back okay but his test came back very low so they asked him to do another SA 4 weeks later and when that showed no improvement we were referred to the FS.

Depsite my bloods showing i 'looked' okay the FS was keen to do further tests and i did an HSG and transvaginal scan - DH did another FS 3 months after his second which showed a slight improvement - then then did another SA 5 months later which showed improvement again but we still need ICSI.

It is confusing but it might be worth looking up the WHO guildelines for sperm.

We got told that a 'normal' count is 20 million per ml of sperm and you are looking at 30% morphology and 50% motility. Taking Wellman vits, Zinc and 1000mg per day seems to have helped as his count has been doubling

 

[MrsRS]

seems to have taken a long time for you rachelle but hopefully the finishing line is in sight for you now.

Although i don't have it confirmed i believe DHs SA was one of these strict ones (Kruger) where they look for >14% normal to be classed as normal chance of concieving naturally. But in all honest i have no idea.

Regardless of what scale you are looking at i don't think 3% is good!

His first result was 1% but since then he has been on wellman and 1000mg vit C which seems to have had a good effect

 

[jojoD]

My DHs result was measured using Kruger too. His was 2.9%. We recently went to a new clinic with a shorter waiting list. Prelim appointment was Sept 3rd. They did an AMH blood test, took weight and height. We had to bring my day 3 blood result, my ruebella immunity test result with me and husbands SA reesults. Next appointment is Oct 8th. Can't wait!!!!

It's hard not to get ahead of yourself when in this situation. I too feel like that and know other gals have felt same! You're not alone. I'm now trying to think ahead in a positive way i.e hoping I'll have a wee bundle of joy in 2010!!

 

[MrsRS]

Thanks jojo, just hope we get our first appt through soon so we can at least have a plan.

 

[chanel]

"Poor morphology is one of the least predictable numbers in the semen analysis, and basically describes the percentage of sperm that look normal. There are two methods used to describe normal and abnormal sperm. Firstly, the WHO method provides quite a critical analysis of the sperm. The other, known as Kruger morphology, involves a more in-depth description of what determines a "normal-appearing" sperm. While the WHO believes that sperm are viable when only 40% are normal, Kruger analysis believes that only 15% normal are needed for a reproduction."

 

[rachelle1975]

I have to say i can't help but think the healthy lifestyle changes must be helping us - i know SA's are meant to or at least can fluctuate up and down but his just keeps going up so hopefully the meds he was in are getting out of his system! Yipeee!

Yep waiting is a total arse if i'm honest - the NHS just drags it all out but i feel my head is in a better place and IVF is in the next 2 months - i still cried when the appt came through nutter!!!

With hindsight, i would have considered egg donation once it was confirmed we needed ICSI... then we could have had private treatment for free, sooner and helped out another couple in the process

 

[MrsRS]

i didn't know that about the egg donation... something i've never thought about but i doubt they would want my eggs down to previous health issues. I'm not allowed to donate blood let along eggs

 

[rachelle1975]

you never know, your eggs might be nice and sparkly