Poor sperm result.. Why won't GP refer us to fertility clinic. Advice needed on Nhs r

[dreaminghopin]

I really hope someone can give me advice and guidance regarding nhs fertility referral pathways. I am 31 and dh is 32.
After 9 months of *bfn's (I had a chemical pregnancy last year) we decided to get checked out. My hubby's first sperm analysis had a count of 1 million (we had bd the night before so ignoring that one for now) second result was

Vol 3ml
Concentration 14 million
Mobility 30%*
Rapid progressive 17%
morphology 5 %

Then My husband after a 6 month wait to see a urologist, then 2 month wait to have a scan was diagnosed with varicocele (something we have known all along but seem to have lost 8 months to have this formally diagnosed only to be told *that the current evidence does not suggest that repairing this would help fertility (so why make my husband meet with urologist and have the scan in the first place if they were not going to do anything??
I have been pouring over forums and websites and it seems that most couples with this count are informed that the likelihood of natural conception is extremely low and referred to a fertility clinic.*

My doctor has advised us that because I had a chemical pregnancy within a year we are not classed as infertile and to come back after another year.*

Whilst I appreciate that.. Surely my husbands sperm count would be good grounds for referral. I have also been driving myself insane researching links between poor sperm quality and miscarriage.*

Everytime I go to the gp he is so dismissive and makes me feel like I an wasting my time.*

Any advice on how to make a case for referral would be really appreciated. I have had a look at nice guidelines and referral pathways do seem to make a case for referral to fertility specialist for low sperm but obviously different trusts have different policies.*

Feeling so stressed cos I really think we need some help and already aware of waiting times for treatment following referral.*

Apologies for length of post.*

PS hubby now taking wellman, macca, vit c, zinc and a multi vitamin.*

 

[macca197831]

Hi didnt want to read and run! Im not sure about how you could get a referral, is there anyway you could speak to another Doctor at your practice? You could appeal to the primary care trust that your surgery comes under!

In terms of your hubbies results, mine had low counts and is taking wellman, macca, L-carntine and vit B6 and has completely cut out alcohol and caffeine, 3 months later his motility had increased by 15% and his count was up by 4 million so there are things you can do to help!

Your husbands results are fairly similar to mine. But your husband has quite a high volume so even though its 14 mil count times that by 3 and youve still got 42million swimmers there!! If you keep at the vitamins and healthy eating and no booze you should be able to improve this!!

As far as I am aware miscarriage and sperm are linked if the sperms are abnormal. My friends hubby has a genetic disorder where he has abnormal forms and she has never been able to carry a child without IVF. BUT it looks like your hubbies morphology is ok but I would googe and check what the norm is or perhaps someone here can tell you.

It may be worth paying for a private SA in 3 months to see if there is any increase if your GP wont refer you!

Good luck!! xx

 

[Mel_35]

I cant comment of all of this, but I'd deffo agree with Macca - try and see if you can talk to another GP at your practise if possible, if the current GP hasnt been great, and also check with your PCT about what their guidelines are?

 

[dreaminghopin]

Thanks so much for responding ladies.

Hubby has been taking vitamins for past 6 weeks and we have another SA in a few weeks time. Will see what the GP says then.

Have another question (so sorry). There is a private clinic near us that will offer a sperm analysis and female scan for a few hundred pound then a fertilty consulation after examinations. I spot between periods, GP doesnt seem concerned by this but would like to set my mind at ease. if these tests show something, will the nhs take notice.

Thanks again xx

 

[susan_1981]

I think you have a very unsympathetic doctor. I went to my doctor 7 months after I miscarried and she referred me for tests. My husband's SA wasn't the best but not bad either - his count was 18 million - cant remember the other details but none were awful. We got referred and had lots of tests and were then put on the ivf waiting list - which I didn't need in the end as it happened naturally for us. Do you think changing doctors is an option? Doesn't sound like yours is being very helpful x

 

[dreaminghopin]

Thanks Susan and congratlations to you. I think your right. Will prob wait for dh's next sperm analysis then try and make a case for referral. If he still resists will seriously consider changing docs. Xx