Spouses with low sperm count.

[aleja]

I hope there is something that can be done but my FS didn't really give much hope of natural conception. He said with the current figures we have 2% chance each month. It may aswell be zero.
I guess that is why they suggest ICSI as they select a good sperm and inject it directly into the egg. Sounds easy in theory but costs $$$$$

 

[EmHart]

Hi there, I wonder if you ladies can help me shed some light at what DH and I are actually looking at in terms of how bad his SA results were. My understanding of them was that they were almost all to the low end of normal, with progressive motility as the real issue. Here they are:

Volume: 3.0ml (Low end of normal 1.5ml)
Sperm Motility: 41% (Low end of normal 40%)
Progressive Motility: 20% (Low end of normal 31%)
Sperm Morphology: 4% (Low end of normal 4%)
Spermatazoa: 18x10*6/ml (Low end of normal 15x10*6/ml)
PH: 7.7
Total sperm: 54x10*6 (low end of normal 39x10*6)

I know that this is not a terrible result because there are sperm there and some of them are heading in the right direction. I was just wondering if this will mean we will need help to conceive? We are heading into month 8 of trying. Anyone who can shed any light I would be really grateful.

 

[jojo87]

I'm sick to my stomach from the SA results we got. Count was only 4 million. 20% morphology and 60% motility. He has an appointment with a specialist but the nurse from my doctor's office didn't leave me with much hope. She made it sound like IVF was going to be the only possibility. Aren't there ways to raise sperm count? We don't even know what's causing it yet. I don't know why she would jump to conclusions.

Got our SA results yesterday (worst Valentine's Day ever..). Count was under 0.01 million with under 5% motility - didn't get the morphology % but she said they were abnormal. Urologist apt. on the 29th - The Doctor that called with there results didn't make it sound so great either. Those are the lowest results I have heard of so far - so just remember it could be worse. I dunno - I'm hoping it is something that can be fixed....people keep telling me that you only need one...

Sorry to hear this Miss Anabelle We have an appointment with a urologist on Tuesday. I'm hoping since I'm 25 and he's 31, we have time on our side and don't have to rush into IVF. I'm also thinking about trying the Fertilaid. I also have him taking a multi-vitamin every day.

 

[al335003]

This may have already been talked about, but with no insurance coverage, about how much is it to have a sperm count.motility/etc analyzed in the US? Thanks!

 

[MissAnnabelle]

Sorry to hear this Miss Anabelle We have an appointment with a urologist on Tuesday. I'm hoping since I'm 25 and he's 31, we have time on our side and don't have to rush into IVF. I'm also thinking about trying the Fertilaid. I also have him taking a multi-vitamin every day.[/QUOTE]

Let me know how the appointment goes. MY DH has been taking FertilAid for the past few months, so not really sure what we can do at this point - just have to put it out of our minds until we see the Urologist I guess.

 

[aintlifegrand]

This may have already been talked about, but with no insurance coverage, about how much is it to have a sperm count.motility/etc analyzed in the US? Thanks!

It costs about $180.00

 

[Hannah_S]

Hi everyone.

I'm new to Baby and Bump - we've been TTC for eight months and DH just got his sperm analysis back.

Volume and morphology were on the low end of normal, but there were only 3.2 million sperm per ml, and motility is only 11%.

DH quit smoking when we started TTC, so any positive effect from that would have shown up by now. He doesn't bicycle, or wear tight underwear, or use saunas, or even use a laptop, so heat/pressure issues aren't relevant. He's also already been taking Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Zinc.

What they've told us to do is to cut alcohol down to no more than 4 units a week, and to start him on Vitabiotics Wellman Conception formula, which has all the vitamins he's been taking, and more, including selenium, as well as various natural herbs that are supposed to be helpful for sperm production. He's also been REALLY stressed out these last few months, and stress doesn't help sperm production either.

They'll do another SA after three months, and depending on the results, will either tell us that things are looking normal (doubtful - it's SO low), or refer us to a fertility clinic. I'm just hoping he gets it up to the 5 million needed for IUI.

During those three months, I'll be using ovulation kits so we can time things, and using Conceive Plus, as well as hanging upside down for 30 minutes after each try! We might as well do everything we can to maximise our chances while we're waiting for the next steps.

But he's feeling really crappy about his result and it's hard to be supportive right now since he's so depressed. I just wish I could fix everything for him!

 

[Hannah_S]

Just to clarify - I've been using EWCM and temperature to check when ovulation occurs, but I haven't been using ovulation kits yet. Realised my previous post made it sound like I wasn't using anything to time things, and I am!

 

[EmHart]

Hi Hannah, we this is our 8th month of trying too, it sounds like we are in a similar situation. I know you said your DH didn't have a heat issue but what job does he do. I think I have worked out what might be going wrong for my DH as he has never smokes, is healthy and drinks only a little, BUT he commutes an hour and a half both ways to work so that is 3 hours a day sat in a car in one position. He then works for 8 or 9 hours sat at a desk in one place. The problem is we don't know what to do about this as he can't stop his job. Exercise is hard as he often doesn't get home until 7.30 and at the weekend is just exhausted. It is just so frustrating. I have him on the wellman tablets as of yesterday so FX they can do something. Let me know if there is anything else that is suggested.

 

[Hopingitwill]

Hi girls - just wanted to give you some hope and feedback. My dh got a sperm test back nearly 4 months ago and results weren't good 26% motility and 8% normal morphology. Based on these results we were referred to fertility unit. Had appointment at end of Jan. We were due to start fertility tx in April after I had had a hsg carried out to check my tubes were alright. Dh was due to go back for another sa at end of this month to find out how progressive the motile sperm
Where but in the meantime we were advised to continue trying. As soon as I got first results four months ago I put dh on (before sa he hadn't wanted to take any supplements). I also stopped him having hot baths ( he had very hot ones regularly). I also got him to drink more water as his sperm always seemed too thick (sorry if tmi) and I read somewhere that not drinking enough water could make it too thick for swimming. Although he wasn't overweight I made his diet better with more fish, salad etc. He also cut back on his drinking (not that he drank much anyway). Anyway these changes must have helped as I have just got a bfp on 2 different tests. We really believe that these changes helped so wanted to let you ladies know.

 

[shellie31]

Ladies. Hope you don't mind me joining your thread. Could someone please explain what this means as i really don't understand it & all FE said was save for IVF & i'll see you then . He had said at 1st sample cos this is the 2nd one,that DH had 25% shooting stars

This is DH SA:
Volume = 0.0ml
Viscosity = +
Density = 12.7 x 10/ml
% Motility = 31%
a:12% b:19% c:14% d:55%
Progression = 2/4
% Abnormals = 85%
Debris = +
Cells: 0 x 10ml
Agglutination = 0

Reduced count,motility and activity.

The letter we received with the 1st SA results said "You produced 20 million sperm per millilitre of semen,only 7% of these looked normal & 25% of your sperm were moving,however only 5% were actively moving.

I'd be really grateful for some input cos its all so confusing . Thank you.

 

[Hannah_S]

HopingItWill, I'm thinking sticky thoughts for you! Congrats on the BFP.

Emhart, my DH does spend lots of time seated - that might be part of it. He's been under a huge amount of stress recently, so that plus moderate drinking probably didn't do good things. I'm hopeful that cutting way down on alcohol and trying to moderate stress, plus the tablets, will bring that count up.

Shelly, I'm not sure what all of those details mean - I'd focus mostly on this part: "You produced 20 million sperm per millilitre of semen,only 7% of these looked normal & 25% of your sperm were moving,however only 5% were actively moving.

He's got a normal amount of sperm in there, which is a good sign, but most are misshapen and very few are actually moving well. I'd call the fertility clinic and ask what their recommendations are. I tried to post a link to some information on morphology, but you have to have posted 10 times for the computer to let you do it, so I can't link to it. I'll try again later, once I've posted a bit more!

 

[EmHart]

I am going to be trying all those things too Hannah. I am due to O on Friday and this is the first time since we stared trying that I don't feel excited and pleased to get another shot. I just feel like there is no hope that it will work.

 

[shellie31]

Hannah,thank you for you're info,it kind of makes a bit sense now lol . I might just do that & call them

Em. Don't give up hope hun you never know whats just around the corner.

 

[aleja]

Congratulations hopeitwill I wish u all the best for ur little bean

 

[Chickadeedee]

Hi All,
I hope you don't mind me joining this thread too...I am pretty down in the dumps this morning..We got my DH's first SA results late yesterday and the actual paper in the mail this morning -- All the lab paperwork says is: Abnormal .75 Reference 10-250 MIL/ML.

That's it.

My doctor said it looked like his actual sperm count was so low that they didn't even bother doing the rest of the tests???

Any ideas what these numbers actually mean? My doc referred us to a FS straight away -- I am just waiting for the call to find out when our first appointment is...We have been TTC since August. I am 37 and DH is 53...He had testicular cancer back in his early 30's, so they assume that is the reason for his super low sperm count..

Any advice is welcome!!!

 

[EmHart]

Oh, Chickadee, I am so sorry. I am afraid I am still pretty much in the dark about what all these numbers realistically mean. My DH and I have been trying since July and just had a not great SA analysis. It was horrible, but at least I know I am not going mad, there WAS something wrong. I hope the FS can give you some more information and get you started on a solution. Hugs hun

 

[Chickadeedee]

Well, I just got off the phone with the FS and we have an appt for 3/13! They are going to do another SA there, which DH is concerned about doing it THERE, but he will do what needs to be done!
I am feeling better about things now that we have the actual appt.... Now we wait!!!!

 

[aleja]

good luck, chickadee, the appt will come around in no time and you will be able to get some answers.
Yes i think it is a common anxiety for men having to provide a sample on demand (my DH has done it twice now and he thinks both times he did a bad "job" due to pressure..

 

[shellie31]

good luck, chickadee, the appt will come around in no time and you will be able to get some answers.
Yes i think it is a common anxiety for men having to provide a sample on demand (my DH has done it twice now and he thinks both times he did a bad "job" due to pressure..

My hubby was the same but can't say i blame them. It can't be easy for them just to provide on demand in a toilet,which is where my hubby was sent. He said it ruined his ejaculation & his sample wasn't up to much. When he done one at home he found it alot easier & the sample was better & there was more of it(he must've been really relaxed lol ),we then had to keep it warm & rush it to the hospital.