SA help from the Pros?

[ttcnCT]

Hello All
Long time lurker, first time poster. Me and the little woman have been ttc for 3 years now and no luck. I always had a feeling that I had a problem as I have had a few long term relationships and never hit the mark. Anyway my doc referred me to a urologist and he did an SA on me. I know my numbers are low, Ive posted most of them below. I just had a few questions.
1. Is it possible to father naturally with these numbers
2. Is it ACTUALLY possible to change these numbers at all? seems like to me what you got is what you got
3. Insurance requires 3 attempts at IUI before IVF, can you hit the mark using IUI with numbers like mine

No excuses but I was sick 2weeks before my SA and I had some performace anxiety only managed 1.5ML for the sample. Im usually a lot more. I also smoke(quit after test) would that effect motility? PS im on Wellman for five days.

Volume 1.5ML
Sperm count 13million
Normal Morph 14%
Motility 17%
Rapid progressin 5%

 

[arizonagal]

I know my husbands first SA had really low numbers, but the second one was much higher. He said he was really nervous the first time and it was just in a little bathroom. I would keep taking vitamins, quit drinking and smoking and ask them for a second test to see if things improve

 

[ttcnCT]

Thanks for checking in. Im sched for another one in 3 months. If I can ask, how much did your husbands numbers change by?

 

[ttcnCT]

guys, Im freaking out. Been on the net looking all night. Any help appreciated.

 

[Dazed]

There are ways to change the motility and count, morphology is a constant with only sight changes. Diet and lifestyle factors should help and your urologist should beable to help you determine which to take. I have heard eating raw sunflower seeds is good for you because of the zinc they contain. Other women have put their OH's on Fertilaid for men. Cut back or stop drinking and smoking if you do either (as the previous poster suggested) and eat healthier foods. Also, if you were sick 3 months before the test, it will have an effect on the test. It is possible to get pregnant naturally with those numbers, it just may take longer.

to you and the wifey.

BTW - We hit the 3yr mark this month too.

 

[ttcnCT]

Sunflower seeds huh? Im gonna go and by the 6lb bag. LOL. Thanks for the kind wishes

 

[Dazed]

Just remember they should be RAW (yuck!).

 

[arizonagal]

Yea, my husbands count went up on the second one, but the shapes were still not great....

 

[PinkPeony]

We just got a not so great SA diagnosis as well. So I can't speak to how much effect these lifestyle changes will make yet but I can tell you exactly the advice I've gotten from my doc and naturopath because it sounds like you just got handed a diagnosis without much advice about what to do next...

My fertility specialist gave me this list of vitamins and in brackets I've put what my naturopath suggested:
Vitamin E - 400 IUS/day
Multi-vitamin containing zinc - 60 mg/day
Selenium - 250 mcgs/day
folic acid - 5 mg/day
vitamin C - 500mg/day (1000mg/day)
Coq10 - 200mg/day (450mg/day)

Naturopath said the most important ones are Vitamin C, Zinc & Coq10. and the other ones on the list are good but not to worry too much about. Acupuncture is recommended.

Also advised to switch to boxers, avoid saunas/hot tubs etc. Definitely quit smoking, limit drinking, & caffeine. Naturopath mentioned marijuana is particularly bad.

My advise to you as someone who has been dealing with fertility issues for the past year and a half is to lay off the googling. It will always lead you down the path of the worst case scenario and just causes too much stress.

to you and your partner.

 

[ttcnCT]

Im taking the wellmans conception. They have all the ingridients you listed in one pill. Just hoping to get that rapid progression up to snuff. Im sure the count will be better next time as I did a little home experiment and produced 3.5mils. Hoping for a fluke.

 

[Dazed]

Chalk it up to stage fright. Maybe see if you can do your sample at home. At least you will feel more at ease about it and maybe the material is better at your house .

 

[ttcnCT]

Really hoping it was stage freight. A bathroom stall and nervousness about results are not a good combo. My doc does not recommend home collection as he likes the sample delivered within 10 minutes. Im wondering if will let the little lady come in to uh...assist me on the next one.

 

[Dazed]

A bathroom stall.... really?! If they say no... sneak her in anyways!

 

[ttcnCT]

Yup, a bathroom stall. They sent me to their testing facility gave me a cup and said find a bathroom somewhere.

 

[Dazed]

Yup, a bathroom stall. They sent me to their testing facility gave me a cup and said find a bathroom somewhere.

I'm sorry but I can't keep from laughing! My DH got a little room with 80's porn.

 

[Dazed]

Just keep taking your vitamins and I'll hope your next one is better for you.

 

[ttcnCT]

I laughed to (afterwards ofcourse) felt like some kind of pervert.