Help! TTC with PCOS and now low mobility sperm.

[hayley2]

Hi Ladies

I don't know whether anyone will be able to help but we are TTC our first baby together (i have 2 clomid boys from my first marriage - i have PCOS) and my OH has just had a SA done and we got the results from our GP today. He said that he has 64 million sperm but only 26% are motile - apprently it should be at least 50%. He then went onto say that basically it would never happen naturally for us and for me to stop taking clomid (i'm currently on my second cycle).

Obviously we were gutted - however now the tears have eased off a bit i've been thinking that they class anything above 20 million as a normal/good count and as my OH has 64 million with 26% motile surely that means he has 16 million that are ok?

I would have thought that would have been good enough?!

We have a appt with our FS next week and obviously we will ask there opinon but was just wondering whether you thought my GP was right to tell us to stop trying.

 

[NeyNey]

I don't think anyone should tell someone to "stop trying" unless it's just flat our impossible. And in your situation I don't think it's impossible. Although with the sperm results, Clomid isn't probably going to do much, so best to stop that.

If you have PCOS, has the Dr ever mentioned Metformin? As it is a general medication used to treat PCOS.

 

[The Missus]

Hi,

It does seem harsh and unnecessary to tell you to stop trying.
Our SA results were quite similar to yours (25% motile), and I remember thinking the same- surely despite the actual results there are still a good few million sperm there to do the job?? We tried following lots of tips on here to improve the quality of the little fellas and did get a BFP, albeit after a long time.
So I'd say it's not impossible, but might probably take longer than average to conceive.
I certainly wouldn't give up though.

xx

 

[ald]

I am in the same position as yourself, I have PCOS and my dh had mush worst results then your dh and our FS has put us on 6 months of clomid, but said our chances are very very slim and after clomid we will move straight to IVF BUT with lifestyle changes etc dh sperm is now 78mil and 30% motility (3 months on from last test) so much improved but still not what they like to see. My FS hasnt seen these results yet (have appt on monday), but my doc said even though we are still below what they like to see we still have a good chance. I know if clomid doesnt work they will still send us straight for IVF though.

Was this your dh first test?

 

[hayley2]

Yes it was his first test he is having another this week and we have a appt with our FS on the 15th June.

As I have pcos and maybe only O naturally 3 times a year it seems unfair to take me off clomid. As least I then get more chances to fall even if it's a lower chance.

 

[rachelle1975]

Hey Hayley

Sorry to hear about your GPS opinion but i would say it is just that -his opinion and most probably total bollocks since he isn't a specialist (my GP said to eat a bag of onions a week to build up DH's swimmers and also to 'save it all up' for when i ovulated).

99% of men give a 'normal' count on the 2nd SA as stress/nerves/previous illness can all affects the results.

His count is excellent so i would simply get him on Wellman vits then you can get in Sainsbury's or chemists etc. - google Maca on the web and see if that helps as it's herbal. Hot/warm baths can affect motile sperm hugely so get him in the shower, loose pants and no long distance cycling if that's his thing!

NEVER EVER give up trying... we were told we were still in with a chance and we had only 1 million sperm and 25% motility. You have 17 million excellent sperm at the moment and that is very good going hun i promise. Some girls on this site have had success with 'instead cups' which might also be worth a go.

The SA's are being done very close together - sperm only matures every 70-90 days so ideally the SA's should be done 3 months apart to reflect any changes he has made to his diet.

Don't give up trying hun and don't come off the clomid...

 

[kat08]

I don't think they can say it will never happen naturally. I have PCOS and OH has poor morphology but I was recommended to give clomid a real go as it could work!

Fingers crossed for you!

 

[Ilove]

I would definitely echo whats already been said-Your husbands count is EXCELLENT and while motility is lower than they say is ideal, there are still a LOT of moving healthy swimmers in there and you can of course get pregnant! We last had a count of 5mil with 30 percent motility and have been told to KEEP TRYING with some diet changes etc. I think your gp was being incredibly overly pessimistic. I would kee up the clomid and the trying
Good luck

 

[sparkle83]

I disagree with your GP as well. I think you should get a second opinion elsewhere. Also, it might be worth having DH cutting down caffiene (my hubby doubled his count by doing that).

 

[hayley2]

Thanks girls i really appreciate your answers xxx

We got the report through from the hospital and they had left his sample on the side for nearly an hour before testing it! This is our lives they are playing with and they couldn't be bothered to test it immeadiately.

I'm hoping this may have had an effect on the results. We are paying to have another test done properly tomorrow to see if that gives a better result.

On the last test they said that he had 62mill sperm, 26% motility and 7% with normal form. Obviously ive been googleing and the 7% normal form seems very low or is that normal?

 

[ald]

I am in the same position as yourself, I have PCOS and my dh had mush worst results then your dh and our FS has put us on 6 months of clomid, but said our chances are very very slim and after clomid we will move straight to IVF BUT with lifestyle changes etc dh sperm is now 78mil and 30% motility (3 months on from last test) so much improved but still not what they like to see. My FS hasnt seen these results yet (have appt on monday), but my doc said even though we are still below what they like to see we still have a good chance. I know if clomid doesnt work they will still send us straight for IVF though.

Was this your dh first test?

Hello, just to update you on my appt today, this was my 3rd round of clomid and i didnt respond so now on the waiting list for IVF. My FS said she wasnt going to suggest IUI cause the success rate is so slim

 

[hayley2]

Very sorry to hear your news Ald. I bet you feel gutted that you can't try IUI. Was it because clomid didn't make you O Hun? Can't they try a higher dose?

How are you feeling? If you want a friend who feels the same PM me xxx