Newbie - just had results of first SA

[Mel_35]

Hi Everyone

This is my first post on here so please bear with me - I hope I'm in the right forum, I wasnt entirely sure which one I fit into LOL!

I'm just after any advice or just to chat with anyone thats been/is in a similar situation really.

A bit of history about me I suppose is in order first though!

I'm 34 (35 in a few months) and OH and I have been trying on and off to concieve for about 2.5 years. We've not been in a huge rush, wanting nature to take its course, but now we are at the point where we've gone to the GP for some tests as my age is now becoming a factor (OH is a couple of years younger than me). I already know I have a bicornuate uterus (I had a U/S a few years ago for suspected endometriosis) and I've had my bloods for ov'ing done and they were ok.

OH has just had his first SA results back though and hes (long word alert) Oligoasthenozoospermic? I have the actual results here but I wont drag this post on unless the actual figures might be of use?

The GP wasnt exactly 'chatty' about what this means and if theres anything we can do to help this at all. Hes referring us to a fertility specialist (we are in the Oxford area) but I'd be interested to know if anyone else has had this diagnosis at all?

Thanks!!
Mel

 

[hopingforit]

That means your OH has low sperm count and low motility but it would be helpful if you could post the actual numbers so I could let you know exactly how bad his numbers are. My DH had a SA and when I had an IUI they tested his sperm. The first time he had normal count and low motility and the other he had low count and normal motility so I might be able to help you if you post the actual information.

 

[Mel_35]

Hi Hope - thanks for replying!

Ok, the actual figures I have are:

pH - 8.1
Volume (ml) - 1.5
Round Cells - 0.00
Concentration (mill/ml) - 0.10
Motility (fast)* - 3
Motility (Slow)* - 13
Motility (non-progressive)* - 7
Motility (not moving at all)* - 44
Normal Forms* - 2
Agglutination - None

* figures represent total sperm seen, and not a %

Comments refer to the Oglio-whatsitsname....and theres a note that says the morphology was poor with odd shaped heads and midpieces

 

[hopingforit]

Hi Hope - thanks for replying!

Ok, the actual figures I have are:

pH - 8.1
Volume (ml) - 1.5
Round Cells - 0.00
Concentration (mill/ml) - 0.10
Motility (fast)* - 3
Motility (Slow)* - 13
Motility (non-progressive)* - 7
Motility (not moving at all)* - 44
Normal Forms* - 2
Agglutination - None

* figures represent total sperm seen, and not a %

Comments refer to the Oglio-whatsitsname....and theres a note that says the morphology was poor with odd shaped heads and midpieces

How long did you OH abstain before doing the SA? I'm really surprised that your Dr didn't talk to you about these numbers. Did he give you options? Unfortunately, chances of getting pregnant naturally with numbers like that are extremely low. I don't even think IUI would work (usually they won't wash numbers that low) so I'd say "if" this isn't just a fluke test, IVF would be your best option. Did they schedule another SA? Usually they do 2 or more to confirm it because some guys just have a fluke test and their numbers will go up.

Your OH only has 100,000 sperm per ml - 150,000 per whole sample. Anything below 20 million is considered low so your number is extremely low. All the motility numbers and morphology number are really low.

My first suggestion would be to make sure your OH wears boxers, never put laptop on his lap, keep cell phone away from his lap, get him started on a multivitamin with zinc.

Did your Dr mention anything about seeing a urologist? With numbers that low, a urologist definitely needs to be seen. There is sometimes a vein in the testicles that can cause low sperm count and it needs a surgery. There are also some problems that require the man to take Clomid. Please, if you haven't, get a referral to a urologist. Even my DH has to go to one and his numbers are a lot higher than that. A urologist may be able to help you. Also, you should see a fertility specialist (reproductive endocrinologist) who can help give you all the information you will need about possible fertility treatments and where to go from here.

Do you know if your insurance pays for IVF? During an IUI, they have to wash out all of the bad sperm. You wouldn't have enough to do that. During IVF, all they need is one sperm to fertilize each egg so this would be an option for you.

I'm curious as to why your Dr didn't talk to you about it. With numbers like that, I don't see how he can not give you information into what to expect.

It is still definitely possible to get pregnant with the help of fertility treatments though so don't feel too down about it. If you have anymore questions, please ask.

 

[Mel_35]

Oh dear, I didnt realise it was quite *that* bad

No the GP didnt say much at all - nothing at all suggested about urologist or ways of improving things. He just said he'd refer us to the specialist and that was about it.

Bit p'd off now though if its that bad and he didnt really give us a clue - just said we had a very little chance of natural conception and that was it - grrr.

We do have insurance through OH's work, but I will have to check if fertility treatment is covered, knowing my luck it wont be!!

 

[hopingforit]

Oh dear, I didnt realise it was quite *that* bad

No the GP didnt say much at all - nothing at all suggested about urologist or ways of improving things. He just said he'd refer us to the specialist and that was about it.

Bit p'd off now though if its that bad and he didnt really give us a clue - just said we had a very little chance of natural conception and that was it - grrr.

We do have insurance through OH's work, but I will have to check if fertility treatment is covered, knowing my luck it wont be!!

I guess if you want to think of it in a positive way, you can think that at least he has some sperm. There are a lot of women on here who are dealing with no sperm at all so that does make it a bit easier in regards to something like IVF.

Maybe your GP doesn't know much about these things? Although, if he is performing a SA, you would think he would at least know the basics of what is good and what is bad and what will need to be done.

I really hope you have infertility coverage. Do you have NHS in your area? I'm not from the UK so I don't know what areas have and what areas don't but if you don't have coverage on your OHs insurance, take a look at this for the requirements for IVF through NHS.

https://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/889.aspx?CategoryID=54&SubCategoryID=127

Hopefully you can get to the specialist and he can help you. My RE was very helpful to and was able to get the ball rolling right away. I'm hoping it is the same for you.

 

[LouTTC1]

Hi.

I just wanted to add that when the original SA results for my husband came back the GP told him that he had a low count and booked him in for another one. That is all she would say as she openly told him she didn't understand what the figures meant.

We had to wait for our consultant at the hospital to go through them. She didn't really trust the figures and booked us in for more tests done at her hospital (another SA for OH and more blood tests for me along with some new tests).

 

[Mel_35]

Hi Lou, can I ask, diid your second test results come out any differently to the first?

 

[LouTTC1]

The first one came back with a low count. The next one with really bad morphology. I didn't ever get exact figures. The one at the hospital was in the normal range according to the consultant.

I know that different places have different figures for their 'normal' range. As my tests came back ok and the SA was normal we fall under the unexplained category and are currently in the TWW after our first IUI.

 

[Mel_35]

Hmm well I hope that we get referred, they retest OH then, just in case :/ He did have a bit of a cold when he did first test. GP said that wouldn't have mattered but his temp was up a bit?

Fingers crossed for a BFP for you soon

 

[LouTTC1]

Same for you Mel.

take 3 months to be produced before being ready to use. I'm not sure if the figures in your results can be affected but things like illness or stress can affect the sperm and that then shows 3 months later.

 

[Mel_35]

Hmm he has been quite stressed recently, started a new job in December & it's been a bit full on..

I've been reading up on improving SA results but am getting confused with all the vitamins? Some people say the off the shelf stuff works, others say that for more serious issues you almost need prescription levels? Wondering if it's worth going back to our GP, seeing another doc (!) and seeing what they think?

 

[MissAnnabelle]

Our first SA came back with less than 0.01 and less than 5% motility the second SA the count was up to 3 million, but the motility was still below 3%. With numbers that low, his urologist, said there isn't much he can do to improve because he is healthy and has no risk factors. He said we could do hormones, but advised against it and recommended IUI. My doctor recommended the same, so we have our first appointment April 11th for a consult with the specialist. My DH does not smoke - healthy weight - healthy eater and has been taking fertil aid vitamins for months. He checked out totally fine when he was examined - just one of those things I guess. I would recommend that your DH get examined by a urololgist to make sure that there are no blockages or anything first before you go to the next step.

 

[aleja]

Hi mel i thought I'd pop in to say hello . It's really hard to receive bad news like this without much explanation from your Gp . Like the other ladies said your DH must definitely get a second test done. I think a definitive diagnosis can be made only when another sample is tested . He may also have a blockage so the urologist appt is a good idea. I am In a similar situation to you- I'm the same age as u and my DH has very low sperm count and low motility. The FS referred us straight to IvF-icsi due to my age and sperm issues.
FS suggested taking individual vitamin supplements rather than multi as it gives higher concentrate of the vitamin. For sperm zinc, vitamin E and C , and coQ10 is supposed to be good - my Dh is on these vitamins so hopefully they will help produce better sperm in time for my IvF treatment. GL and best wishes. You will probably feel better about the whole thing once you see the specialist x

 

[Mel_35]

Hi Annabelle - I think we will defintely ask for a second SA then if your results were quite different from first to 2nd test, I'm just so shocked at OH's numbers not even being +1million! Hope you get on ok on the 11th!

Thanks Aleja I will definitely look into checking what vitamins we should be on, hes still taking the Wellman ones for now. Its just so frustrating that the doctor was so rubbish. I get it may not be his specialty but he more or less just said we had no hope and did we want a referral! Would we be testing if we werent bothered?! Grrr.

I really hope we get to see the specialist soon, I wasnt expecting to be quite as obsessive about this as I am at the moment. Weve been trying so hard to stay chilled out about it all and 'let nature take its course', but I guess seeing results like that in black & white has come as a bit of a shock. Sort of takes away that extra bit of hope you had that it might happen one day....

Thats one of the reasons I came on here, I'm trying not to go on about it too much at home as OH is already feeling really bad and keeps blaming himself & apologising bless him :/

 

[macca197831]

Hi Mel,

My husband first got tested in Sept last year and his SA came back with a low count and low motility. We took a second test and the results were no better and were told we would need IVF - I was devastated. We asked to take a 3rd test three months later and in that time my husband completely gave up alcohol and started taking Wellman Conception plus Macca, L Carntine and Vitamin B6. He has also given up all fizzy drinks, caffeine and is eating lots of superfoods

We got his last test in January and his count and motility had improved that much he was considered to have a normal count and we are now waiting on IUI.

I know it is very disheartning to hear news like this but there is hope if you are willing to change your lifestyle!

Zita West does a book for written for couples who have been trying to conceive for a long time which has lots of good info on vitamins and foods etc. Its called the guide to getting pregnant and is worth a read!

We are not pregnant yet but are hopeful!

Good luck!!!