Should DH be looking for a urologist...

I'm wondering if it's time for DH to see a specialist. As part of our diagnosis, the RE had DH do a SA, the results of which were not good (poor motility and morphology). The RE put DH on a 14 day regiment of antibiotics explaining that the cause of the low motility and morphology might be a prostate inflammation. After taking the antibiotic DH went for another SA and the results were the same. Now the RE wants DH to take a potent antioxidant and do a DNA fragmentation.

I'm starting to wonder if we should just go straight to a urologist. I feel like after almost 1 1/2 years of trying (first issues with me and now with DH) I just want answers and remedies instead of going through the motions. Maybe I'm just being impatient but to me we wasted a month of DH taking an antibiotic (taking for 2 weeks and then 1 week wait to go for SA) that did nothing where maybe a urologist could have just checked DH and known right away that there was no prostate inflammation. Also, as I'm doing research on DNA fragmentation, it says that DNA fragmentation has little or nothing to do with the the shape of the sperm or whether the sperm are moving (which is what DH's issue is).

Sorry for the long post but I just feel like I'm losing faith and hope in the whole process. Do I just have to be patient or do you think a urologist would be more effective in getting to the source of our problem. Any advice would be appreciated as I really don't know what to think anymore.

Re: Should DH be looking for a urologist...

Absolutely go to the Urologist. I have heard that antibiotics can hurt sperm making. When my dh had low counts, our re sent us right to the urologist. We know at our first appt that dh has variocele and its severe.

Re: Should DH be looking for a urologist...

Definately see a urologist .....an RE is a specialized gynocologist and should not be treating male issues.

Re: Should DH be looking for a urologist...

That's what I was starting to think but wanted to be certain. DH's count is good, it's the motility and morphology that are at issue. I guess since the RE is so reputable I was trying to have faith in him but at this point I have to listen to my instincts. I would think that he would have automatically referred DH to a urologist without wasting our time.

Any recommendations as to a good urologist?

Re: Should DH be looking for a urologist...

My DH goes here:



website

Heres a great Dr - very helpful and specializes in infertility issues

Good luck

Re: Should DH be looking for a urologist...

Re: Should DH be looking for a urologist...

Re: Should DH be looking for a urologist...

I had heard good things about Dr. Paduch (and the whole office) but its too far for me - might be better for you:

website

You can tell your RE that you want to see a urologist - or just ask for copies of the SA and go. The urologist will definatley want copies of the SA but might do their own also.


DH is a patient of Dr Peter Schlegel (from Cornell) who is the BEST male infertility specialist in the US...thanks to him we have a DC where everyone else told us to go stright to adoption!!!!!

Only negative thing is that he does not take insurance, you need to pay upfront and then submit your claim form to your insurance. GL

ETA: don't waste time with RE for male problems, go directly to urologist....click on the link above to find out all there is about male problems..

Message edited 4/20/2010 4:34:22 PM.

Re: Should DH be looking for a urologist...

I agree with the other ladies! Definitely find a really good urologist! Good luck!

Re: Should DH be looking for a urologist...

My DH saw Dr. Paduch. He took our insurance. I would highly recommend him.

Re: Should DH be looking for a urologist...

Go to a urologist. When my DH's SA came back with poor morphology, the RE actually recommended going to a urologist. My DH saw Dr. Bar-Chama who has an office in RMA in manhattan. Dr. Bar-Chama started off doing a ultrasound and then recommended all sorts of testing including DNA fragmentation. We held off with the testing since it would all be out of pocket for us and we had already done an IUI. Luckily we got pregnant so DH did not have to go through with all the testing.

Re: Should DH be looking for a urologist...

Definitely go to a urologist. My DH used Dr. Mellinger in Garden City, he was excellent.

Re: Should DH be looking for a urologist...

Yes definitely go to one who specializes in IF....

My DH went to a regular one for years and we go no where...he went to a specialized one and here is the product of that

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Re: Should DH be looking for a urologist...

Thanks ladies for all of your helpful advice. After speaking to my RE again, DH and I have decided to just go forward with the DNA fragmentation test with the RE. We want to get a better idea of the severity of the problem and then based on the results either start IUI or go straight to a urologist. At this point in my cycle it makes sense to proceed with the test since the urologist would most likely want to do it anyway (and that way I won't miss another month). This way we'll already have the results in hand when we see him/her.

At least now we have a plan, instead of just going through the motions. I have to remind myself that we need to take control of the whole process as much as possible. You lose sight of that sometimes when all of this info is being thrown at you.. you sit there and nod and then later think about it more and more and then freak out (at least I do lol). So now I have a clear picture of what needs to be done... so THANKS!