TTC with low sperm count

[susan_1981]

Me and my husband are now onto month 11 of TTC following a miscarriage in December (we fell pregnant after only 2 months of coming off the pill then!). Since my miscarriage, I haven’t had even the slightest whiff of a BFP so we went to see the doctors and I had a CD21 blood test - came back fine which I knew it would because I know that I ovulate - but my husband’s SA didn’t come back well. I’m not sure how bad it is yet as we need to go to the doctors and he can’t go until next week so we are going on Tuesday. But I was wondering, how often should we be trying if he does have a low count? Last month, we were at it like rabbits, we BD’d for about 6 nights in a row which was a pain because I ov’d later than I thought so most of that was probably wasted anyway, and every other month, we’ve mainly been doing something similar to SMEP. So this month, I was thinking maybe trying every 2 days so we would have 2 days off in between. Do you think this might help? I’m just looking from advice from anyone whose been in the same situation really because I’m new to all this side of things x

 

[QueenieMurphy]

Hi Susan

(Love your picture btw- very cute cat)

MY hubby also has low count and low motility - we're on cycle 9 now though before that we were NTNP for 18months!!! Its getting pretty depressing and more disheartening with each month but I must be positive as I want a baby so much.

Anyway sorry for rambling - we were advised to BD every 48 hours round ovulation rather than as much as possible to give the sperm time to refresh themselves!! THis last month has been the first time we did that - previous months we were at it like rabbits the whole cycle( and once or twice a day CD10-20). It hasn't worked this month - I can feel AF about to start tomorrow but we'll do it again next month. Also he's taking wellman and just started maca which is supposed to be really good for sperm - he has cut down drinking but won't give up altogether(yet!!). I really hope to get pregnant naturally but we're due to have IVF in about 3 months so only 3 more go's to do it!!! Also have you heard of softcups? Do a search on them on here. I tried them last month - not worked yet but I'm going to use again as they do keep the swimmers in so I think they must help if low sperm count.

Sorry thats a really long rambling post but I hope it helps a bit.

P.S lots people on here have got pregnant naturally with partners with low counts so it can happen!!

Good Luck xx

 

[chanel]

hey susan, whilst i have no medical advice on this i will you my tuppence worth

I think your cycles are regular? If they are what i would do is count back from the day you are due to ov and only DTD every 4 days so that you nail DTD either day before ov or ov date itself. I think giving the sperm plenty time to build up will make the world of difference .

They will probably ask DH to do another sample and him abstaining from sex for longer than first time round could make all the difference.

On a positive, you have done it before do its definitely possible for you to concieve and if thats not possible naturally then its definitely possible assisted.

Anyways, i'm glad to hear that you are getting some answers.

 

[brumbar]

Hey hun, we've tried it all... Every day, every other day, just once the day b4 0, just once the day of O... Hell knows... We're on cycle 23 or 24 I've lost count already and years of NTNP. I've read research suggesting every 48 hours and another sayingyou should BD both the day b4 and the day of O (suggesting that more sperm means a better chance). We BD when we please generally, stop 5 days b4 O and then BD again the day b4 and the day of O. I've read that the swimmers should't sit for a long time in the changing room as they start dying. So what we do is we make sure they exercise regularly b 4 and after O but we still allow enough recovery time for the Olympic games . it,s good that you managed once...means that it is possible. Loose pants, no hoth baths, no cycling...moderate exercise, limited alcochol intake(some suggest coffee too) vitamins and Fingers x-ed you'll get your BFP. How bad is the count? how many tests have you done? It might be just an off day...and not a disaster at all! Good luck!

 

[rachelle1975]

Hey hun

We have low count and were advised to stick to every 48hours - anymore than that and you are likely to get seminal fluid rather than sperm. We did get told to remember that eggies can survive for 8-12 hours so when you get that positive OPK within the 48 hour period. If you every other day during your whole cycle you should cover all bases - plenty there waiting before and hopefully some there after!

Hope the results aren't too bad - in the meantime get him to make a few lifestyle changes, take some vits and hopefully things can improve before you know it and you'll get that nice shiny

 

[Dancingkaty1]

hi... we have been ttc for 13 mths now....my husband also has low sperm count & motility....i have had all tests done such as bloodtests, scans, hycosy & all has come bk clear. Its so difficult to know when to DTD, i know i get my LH surge on day 19 as i used OPK's from jan-june of this year & it was always day 19. Day 19 is 2moro....we DTD sun morning...mon night & this morning....maybe we should leave DTD now til fri morning or evening but then i will miss the LH surge day...i know we should be leaving roughly 48 hrs inbetween DTD but then i really worry that i may be ov & i miss it! xx

 

[susan_1981]

Thanks girls. We don't know how bad it is yet as we haven't been to the doctors for the results. All I know is that I called for my results and was told "no action" so I'm fine but when DH called up, the receptionist couldn't read the notes, although she could read at the bottom "speak to wife re ivf" so we're assuming it's not good news. The receptionist said she would speak to the doctor and call him back. She did and said the doctor will explain everything to him.

This was the first test so it could be that it was an off day but I'm sure there must be somthing wrong for me to not have fallen pregnant in the past 10 months.

My cycles are regular, although sometimes my luteal phase is a little on the short side. Me and DH are going doctors on Tuesday and I'm going to mention about my periods as well as they can be so heavy and I have lots of clots. I feel almost like I'm having a mini miscarriage every month!

It's just so frustrating how everyone seems to find it so easy to fall pregnant but I can't! I know you girls all feel the same as I do. It's driving me mad now!

 

[susan_1981]

Oh and vitamin wise, I'm actually having a month off to see if that makes any difference but I've got DH on macca, zinc, selenium and wellman tablets. Hopefully he won't overdose on vits!!!

 

[rachelle1975]

My DH has been on all those vits for over a year and no overdosing so far

 

[susan_1981]

Well at least my husband gets to experience the neon pee like I get with my Vitamin B!

 

[mrskcbrown]

My DH has low morphology which is the shape of the semen. We try to BD every other day. I think some of the problem was my PCOS too because before taking metformin I never knew how long my cycles were. So i think knowing the length is really going to help us out. DH has been taking vitamins and I am going to get him some Zinc tabs as I hear that helps as well.

 

[grneyednurse]

I wanna join you all! Been trying for this will be the ninth cycle and have done home SA and the reults were under 20 million...going to do an official SA soon and getting myself tested just in case...glad this thread is started! We all need miracles!

 

[susan_1981]

Me too! Considering I fell pregnant so quickly after coming off the pill, I just can't believe it is taking so long after my MMC. I always thought I was going to be quite fertile but I'm sure something isn't right with me. Ever since my miscarriage, my periods have been seriously heavy with lots of clots (sorry TMI). Surely this isn't normal.

 

[Leila Fae]

Hi, it's like reading about my own situation reading this post!

We're on cycle 14 of TTC (in the 2WW - argh!). I'm ovulating but have a rather short LP. My AF is also really, really light but none of the doctors I've mentioned this to seem to be at all bothered, despite my AF being like heavy spotting, not full flow.

DH's SA results were fine except for morphology/forms. He's cutting out alcohol, taking his vitamins etc so we'll see. Unfortunately he's away for the next 4 months and the dates he'll be able to pop home don't coincide with my ov dates which is a bit depressing.

Still, onwards and upwards!

 

[Jem88]

I know how frustrating it is, i got preg first time we didnt use anything but mc - now 16 months after we still havent had a single bfp.. does make you wonder sometimes why then and nothing since.. the same as leila fae's OH my OH's SA results are fine except for morphology/forms. but he's started selenium with zinc vits, no hot baths and is cutting down on alcohol, so hopefully we might see a bfp in the next 3 - 6 months .
i just keep thinking its happened before, so it can happen again!. good luck girls.