Greetings y'all - I am new here, but I am eager to share my journey with everyone.
My wife (27yrs) and I (28yrs) have been TTC since last August (2013) when we got married. No positive tests. On April 22, I did my first SA and got some blood work done. The results were sub-fertile.
Let me share what I am doing to make conception happen and chronicle this journey, because research is showing that this is an increasing problem with men and couples in general. Apologies for anything TMI, lol...
The doc also said my testosterone was slightly low, and that we may need some extra help. He prescribed me Clomifene (well he actually prescribe me the wrong medication - an anti-depressant they treat OCD with, but thats a whole nother' story), and said we may need to do IUI. Needless to say I am finding a new urologist (not because of the clomid - I plan to take that, but because of the way he ignored my questions after I have done significant research, and prescribed me the completely wrong medication!)
Well, I am a go-getter and I am dedicated to making this happen if at all possible the ole' fashioned way (depending on my wife's results which she is going to her doc next week). Here is a bit of background and what I am doing to improve my numbers:
I used to be a pretty heavy drinker. I'm talking I could put in 6-10 beers on a Saturday watching college football or hockey, or hanging out with my buddies. During the week I could put away 3-4 beers in one evening. Before anyone judges me, I am quite successful with my career and a loving, caring, and supportive husband. But I have recently made a change. My wife and I also didn't really watch what we were eating, and we are each a good 40-50 pounds overweight (which is already changing).
April 22
Basic stats of my SA:
Sample size 2.1ml
Count 11 mil
Motility 13%
As of May 1, I haven't had a drop of alcohol and plan to severely limit it (I'm talking 1-2 drinks per weekend). Also, as of May 1, we have been doing whole30 which is a diet that is no sugar, no wheat / starch, no alcohol, no preservatives, no hormones, no dairy, only whole/organic/unprocessed foods. You would be surprised what has sugar in it (even meat). We are also hitting the gym more often (I've always been athletic - played college sports and have done Tough Mudders, but over the past couple years always had a bit of extra pounds despite this).
Well since since starting the diet we are both shedding inches off our waistlines (I've lost about 6 inches so far), feeling healthier and better, losing fat weight (about 8 pounds, not water or muscle), and on our way to being overall in better shape. I have also began a steady supplement regimen as follows on top of my diet:
Zinc 50mg 1/day
Vitamin D3 1000iu 2/day
Vitamin B12 500mcg 2/day
L-Carnitine 500mg 2/day
CoQ10 200mg 1/day
Ashwagandha 900mg 2/day
Fertility Blend 2/day
Vit C - 120mg
Vit E - 150iu
Vit B6 - 2mg
Vit B12 - 6mcg
Folate - 400mcg
Zinc - 15mg
Selenium - 70mcg
Proprietary Blend - 900mg
L-carinitine
Green Tea extract
Dong quai root extract
In summary, I plan to post progress updates (my next SA is scheduled for three months from now - which is about how long it takes my swimmers to develop). It will be good to see what changes happen as a result of this diet regimen. I really think there will be significant improvement because I have heard often that while reversible (once you quite drinking) alcohol is practically a "sperm toxin".
Anyway, stay tuned for updates on our situation, as well as my input as a dude into how this journey affects us. My only advice for other men so far is to not be discouraged as much as possible and to take it on as a challenge. We need to support each other in our relationships and help each other stay positive!
BigTex
My wife (27yrs) and I (28yrs) have been TTC since last August (2013) when we got married. No positive tests. On April 22, I did my first SA and got some blood work done. The results were sub-fertile.
Let me share what I am doing to make conception happen and chronicle this journey, because research is showing that this is an increasing problem with men and couples in general. Apologies for anything TMI, lol...
The doc also said my testosterone was slightly low, and that we may need some extra help. He prescribed me Clomifene (well he actually prescribe me the wrong medication - an anti-depressant they treat OCD with, but thats a whole nother' story), and said we may need to do IUI. Needless to say I am finding a new urologist (not because of the clomid - I plan to take that, but because of the way he ignored my questions after I have done significant research, and prescribed me the completely wrong medication!)
Well, I am a go-getter and I am dedicated to making this happen if at all possible the ole' fashioned way (depending on my wife's results which she is going to her doc next week). Here is a bit of background and what I am doing to improve my numbers:
I used to be a pretty heavy drinker. I'm talking I could put in 6-10 beers on a Saturday watching college football or hockey, or hanging out with my buddies. During the week I could put away 3-4 beers in one evening. Before anyone judges me, I am quite successful with my career and a loving, caring, and supportive husband. But I have recently made a change. My wife and I also didn't really watch what we were eating, and we are each a good 40-50 pounds overweight (which is already changing).
April 22
Basic stats of my SA:
Sample size 2.1ml
Count 11 mil
Motility 13%
As of May 1, I haven't had a drop of alcohol and plan to severely limit it (I'm talking 1-2 drinks per weekend). Also, as of May 1, we have been doing whole30 which is a diet that is no sugar, no wheat / starch, no alcohol, no preservatives, no hormones, no dairy, only whole/organic/unprocessed foods. You would be surprised what has sugar in it (even meat). We are also hitting the gym more often (I've always been athletic - played college sports and have done Tough Mudders, but over the past couple years always had a bit of extra pounds despite this).
Well since since starting the diet we are both shedding inches off our waistlines (I've lost about 6 inches so far), feeling healthier and better, losing fat weight (about 8 pounds, not water or muscle), and on our way to being overall in better shape. I have also began a steady supplement regimen as follows on top of my diet:
Zinc 50mg 1/day
Vitamin D3 1000iu 2/day
Vitamin B12 500mcg 2/day
L-Carnitine 500mg 2/day
CoQ10 200mg 1/day
Ashwagandha 900mg 2/day
Fertility Blend 2/day
Vit C - 120mg
Vit E - 150iu
Vit B6 - 2mg
Vit B12 - 6mcg
Folate - 400mcg
Zinc - 15mg
Selenium - 70mcg
Proprietary Blend - 900mg
L-carinitine
Green Tea extract
Dong quai root extract
In summary, I plan to post progress updates (my next SA is scheduled for three months from now - which is about how long it takes my swimmers to develop). It will be good to see what changes happen as a result of this diet regimen. I really think there will be significant improvement because I have heard often that while reversible (once you quite drinking) alcohol is practically a "sperm toxin".
Anyway, stay tuned for updates on our situation, as well as my input as a dude into how this journey affects us. My only advice for other men so far is to not be discouraged as much as possible and to take it on as a challenge. We need to support each other in our relationships and help each other stay positive!
BigTex
good luck to you.
