Male infertility issues. Help and advice needed pls!!!

[Evelyn31]

My dh has had 3 SA with GP. The highest result was 3million and the lowest 1million. We've been told our only hope is assisted conception. We've also been told we are not entitled to any help with the cost as I have a son from previous relationship.
I'm feeling very down and tearful as I don't know where I stand with any of this and haven't got the money to start the road to assisted conception yet. Just wish I had some answers on how much we need to raise, treatments available, time scales... If anyone has any advice, information, similar situation I would greatly appreciate the response. Thank you

 

[beaglemom]

Hi evelyn...I am currently headed towards IVF. My husband has low count...not as low as yours. I think IVF may be your only option. The cost can vary significantly. For me, the cheapest is $10,000 plus meds which are costly. I suggest you make an appt with a fertility specialist. Talk about your options & then sit down with their financial people. They will give you prices & options. They can also let you know if anything is covered by your insurance. The cost of my consultation was a specialist copay which was $40 for me. There are also IVF grants. We just received a good deal on our credit card which we plan to you. My 401 also offers low interest loans. You have so many options, so do not lose hope. Look over your finances & find out if there is anything you can cut...or maybe you can find additional sources of income.

Good luck.

 

[Jungleland]

Hi Evelyn, are you in the UK?
Even within one country costs and options can vary greatly.
I would advise giving your local clinic a call and asking about costs.
There might be other things like egg sharing that you can do to bring the cost down (my 2nd cycle was only £1400 with eggsharing).
In the meantime continue to try naturally, it only takes 1 sperm. Sadly my OH has blocked tubes and zero sperm in the ejaculate so surgical sperm recovery and ICSI is the genuinely the only option for us. Everything in life has gone on hold pending the fertility treatment that we've been having but he thousands of pounds spent will one day be worth it.
Good luck hun
xxxx

 

[Mrs G]

Hi and welcome.
My first advice would be to go to a specialist fertility clinic for another SA. In our experience, gp's are not that great with results. Sperm numbers are not the only thing they need to look at, morphology and motility are also factors. If it is a problem, there are lots of things oh can do, stop drinking/smoking/drugs, take a good multi vitamin.
If you are uk, you should be entitled to at least one free ivf cycle and ad the others have said if not you can dramatically reduce costs with egg sharing.
I know ivf seems daunting and it does take some getting your was round but it's not as bad as you think once you get in the roller coaster!!
Please ask I you have any questions, there are lots of us here who can help.
Kath xxx

 

[Evelyn31]

Yes I am in the uk. Thank you both so much for your replies. There's some really useful information in both posts and it has helped me find some direction into researching my options feeling a bit more positive and hopeful today. I wish you both best of luck with your journey. Yes jungleland one day this will all be worth it.

 

[Mrs G]

Hi
Check out the hfea website, they list all uk clinics. And def find out your entitlement to an nhs cycle. It's not a quick or easy process but like jungle said, it is worth it. Any more questions, pls do ask.
Good luck. Xx

 

[chimama]

Evelyn - Don't give up hope yet. My DH also have very low sperm count, most of which was abnormal. Did one IVF cycle and one FET (both ICSI) - didn't take even though embryo and egg quality were great. He had started taking some vitamins - zinc, CoQ, Vit C for a few months and stopped bathing with hot water. Did a repeat SA, improved but still low. DH and I decide to try one normal cycle on our own before jumping back on the IVF bandwagon.We got pregnant during that one cycle and I'm currently in 2nd trimester. RE was shocked but very happy. So it can still happen. All it takes is one sperm.

 

[MrsCompass]

Evelyn - Don't give up hope yet. My DH also have very low sperm count, most of which was abnormal. Did one IVF cycle and one FET (both ICSI) - didn't take even though embryo and egg quality were great. He had started taking some vitamins - zinc, CoQ, Vit C for a few months and stopped bathing with hot water. Did a repeat SA, improved but still low. DH and I decide to try one normal cycle on our own before jumping back on the IVF bandwagon.We got pregnant during that one cycle and I'm currently in 2nd trimester. RE was shocked but very happy. So it can still happen. All it takes is one sperm.

Hi everyone ... Hope you don't mind me chiming in. I love your story Chimana! I hope my story ends up like yours. My DH also have low sperm count. We just found out our first ivf didn't take. My beta is slowly dropping. Just waiting for af.

We don't have savings nor money for a second ivf but hopefully by spring 2015 we can afford it. In the mean time, we are putting DH on some supplements and vitamins. Similar to your list above. And I'm hoping we can get our natural bfp.