how low is low?

[lucydiamond]

My hubby has just had his sperm results back, 0.4million.

Anyone heard of any stories of people conceiving without IVF with such a low sperm count?

 

[cooch]

Look up Anyone at ACS Glasgow Royal? Debbie82 has had success, not sure eactly what their no was though

 

[toch1402]

Hi,

I can't give you any positive stories but wanted to let you know that we are in the same boat. We had 0.6/0.5 on our sperm counts with rubbish everything. How was your motility? If they are normal there is always hope.

We are waiting to apply for NHS funding (have an appointment in a few weeks) so hopefully we will end up with a positive IVF-ICSI story.

Is it your husbands first SA? If it is, you will probably have a re-test in 3 months and it can change. I would suggest that he starts taking a good male conception vitamin and makes sure that he has a healthy lifestyle.

Good luck!

 

[wifey29]

Hi,

My hubby has a consistantly low count. His highest was 3 million, but the lowest has been 100k. We are now in the process of ICSI. We were told that we have no chance of a natural conception and that even for normal IVF they need 200k per egg. Has your DH had just the one SA? He will probably have to have several to give an accurate picture. Counts can vary massively. The was one lady on here a while ago who'd DH's count went from 1 million to 79 milllion. Is your DH on any conception supplements? Might be worth starting them xx

 

[SweetJennie]

My OH had a 4 mill sperm count and we got pregnant naturally a few months back. Unfortunately it ended in a miscarriage. OH also has low Motility but his morphology was fine. So I know it is possible with a 4 mill. Hoping your next SA goes better.

 

[lucydiamond]

Thanks so much for the replies! We haven't been offered a test for motility/morphology or anything else, just the basic count, and have just had the one, due for another on Tuesday.
At my appt yesterday the doctor asked for hubbies results of the last test, when I said 0.4million she asked if i meant 4million! A little disheartening...so nice to hear others with similar results!

It's also given me hope that it might not be so low this time, and it's good to hear stories of natural conception, sorry yours ended in miscarriage SweetJenny, that must be hard.
We've been ttc for over 6 years but have only just starting seeking treatment, I'm not quite clear on all the different terms, what is ICSI, is this the same as IVF?

 

[Armywife84]

ICSI is where they inject your egg with his sperm. Much more expensive than IVF.

It's possible but it's going to take a lot longer to achieve naturally.

They keep on saying all it takes is one, but I don't understand why it takes longer to conceive with male infertility?

 

[Aphrodite]

ICSI is used primarily when the sperm have poor motility, as even with IVF they wont be able to fertilise the egg. I think DH's lowest count was 7 million, but his motility was very poor, most of the problem I think (can't remember now) and morphology was so bad there wasn't even a figure just 'most abnormal' We were told it wasn't impossible for us to conceive naturally, but very unlikely.

 

[Armywife84]

ICSI is used primarily when the sperm have poor motility, as even with IVF they wont be able to fertilise the egg. I think DH's lowest count was 7 million, but his motility was very poor, most of the problem I think (can't remember now) and morphology was so bad there wasn't even a figure just 'most abnormal' We were told it wasn't impossible for us to conceive naturally, but very unlikely.

That's inspiring your first IVF worked! How low was the motility if you don't mind me inquiring?

 

[Aphrodite]

I know, we are a poster ad for successful ICSI! I THINK but not 100% sure his motility was 14%. We are similar ages to you too, I was 26 and DH 30 when we had ICSI with almost identical issues-I was fine, DH poor count and motility! If ur anything like us u shouldn't have a problem getting preg with IVF or ICSI

 

[Armywife84]

I know, we are a poster ad for successful ICSI! I THINK but not 100% sure his motility was 14%. We are similar ages to you too, I was 26 and DH 30 when we had ICSI with almost identical issues-I was fine, DH poor count and motility! If ur anything like us u shouldn't have a problem getting preg with IVF or ICSI

Thanks!!

Mine was 19%. First count was low due to the low sample, I believe 7 million. Then the next sample was significantly better with the count but motility didn't budge.

We're doing everything we can to improve his count and motility. Kinda of scared to get IVF or ICSI done. We won't be able to fund it until 2014 after his deployment. So for the rest of the year and all of 2012 we'll still be trying naturally.

I appreciate your story, gives me a bit of hope.

 

[lucydiamond]

Hmm, sounds unlikely that we'll be offered ICSI then if it's super expensive. Fingers crossed the SA results come out better this time. If not, are there any other options besides ICSI and IVF? I know there are a fair few options if it were an issue with me, but with male factor it feels pretty limited.

 

[lucydiamond]

Got the SA results today, came back lower at 0.2 million. Added to that we got 40% motility and 95% abnormal. I'm guessing this isn't good. Anyone able to explain what this means in terms of what we do next?

 

[MrsB09]

Definitely get DH on the vitamins & stop him drinking - my DH's count went from 1million to 4 million in 10 weeks - and everything else has improved! Good luck! X

 

[lucydiamond]

He's on vitamins and doesn't drink. We also have a super duper healthy diet-literally no rubbish, all grains and pulses and fruit and veg etc. So I don't get why it's so low. He had a varicocele, but he had an embolisation which they said went well so we were hoping with all the health improvements and the op that the SA would be miles better. I don't know what else we can do!

 

[MrsB09]

What vitamins is he on & what doses? My DH actually rattles. He's on wellman conception + 25mg of zinc + 1000mg of vit C + B100 + a fish oil tablet. He also eats 3 bananas a day & everything he eats/ drinks is organic. (I read somewhere about a load of organic farmers living off their produce having avg of 363 million per ml!) Also no caffiene. Prior to the first bad SA he was already taking wellman conception. X

 

[MrsB09]

Also, if you're waiting on the NHS, they do fund ICSI, I'm on the waiting list for it. It is a type of IVF & accounts for half of all IVF procedures done these days. At the Hammersmith hospital where I will be treated it costs £4,100 for ICSI verses £3,100 for standard IVF.

 

[Teammonkey]

Hi,
I know this is an old post, but hoping for some hopeful words!

My husband and I got his first SA results today, and his count is 0.4 million, but motility is 58%.

Has anyone conceived naturally with similar stats? Also how long does it take to get to treatment stage? Really new to this! Don't want to wait ages if it's not going to happen naturally. We're fortunate enough to be able to go private if need be.

Any guidance would be great.

Thanks x