DH's SA results are in

When I first called to get the results, they didn't want to tell me over the phone and wanted me to wait until my appt in April. I refused, and then they had the lab director called me, basically just giving me the numbers, not what anything means though.

While his volume was above average (2.4), that's the only good news we received. His count was 14.3 million, his motility is 37%, and he has no "normal" looking sperm.

At this point, with my PCOS and the fact I do no ovulate on my own, plus hearing the news about DH's poor count, what do you ladies think would be the next step for us? Originally, the plan was for me to go on clomid and do an IUI, but this was based on DH's count and numbers being great.

This news feels like a blow to the gut right now

Re: DH's SA results are in

wow, I'm so sorry for you guys. I would say IVF, but that's something you'd really need to talk to your doctor about to make sure you know all the factors of what everything means.

Re: DH's SA results are in

So sorry!!!! Probably IVF from what my RE told me, but I am sure the dr will come up with a game plan with you guys!!

Re: DH's SA results are in

thanks ladies

I'm willing to do whatever it takes to have a baby, but I really didn't think we'd be going against these odds. I wish I could move up my appt with my RE, but she wants me to lose 30lbs before beginning any type of treatments and so far i've only lost 10

Re: DH's SA results are in

He needs to make an appt with a urologist that specializes in infertility - they will prob have him repeat the SA but start with the appt. My dh only had 12% good form so i have an idea of what type of blow it feels like. Im sure between a specialist for him and you, you will get your baby

Re: DH's SA results are in

I agree with seeing the urologist and getting a second SA done and then having your RE give you a plan of action, which may well include IVF. When we were TTC for DS, DH's morphology was 6%. I made hime take pycnogenol and a fertility vitamin and we got PG within about 2 months. Also, here's a really good article I once posted (sorry I don't remember the source!) about the frequency of ejaculation. His sperm counts/motility/morphology can definitely be helped so try not to panic!



Some further information about the effect of ejaculatory frequency on sperm/semen quality. The above obviously refers to the maintenance of sperm function and male performance over the lifetime of the man. On a shorter term basis sperm quality will vary with ejaculatory frequency in the following manner:

Sperm have to spend some time in the epididymis where they undergo their final maturation and "cleaning-up" as they wait to be ejaculated. However prolonged abstention, say more than 10-14 days, will cause the sperm to deteriorate, reducing their motility and morphology. Plus also sperm antibodies if present, will build up and further impair sperm function. The semen volume will certainly increase during this abstention period but the specimen will be more dilute and most of this will be lost after intercourse, running out as the "after-flow" as it's called. As the sperm performance will also have been reduced then this will be a specimen of much poorer quality than ideal.

Conversely too frequent ejaculation, and this means more than three/four times per week for most men, (unless they have a natural high volume as some men do), will maintain a good sperm count and quality, but the volume of the specimen will start to reduce to a point where it becomes too low to adequately cover the cervix to allow sperm to swim into the cervical mucus where they are happiest. Also as vaginal fluid is generally hostile to sperm there needs to be a reasonable volume to dilute this effect down.

So the ideal frequency for best volume. count, motility. morphology and sperm antibody minimalisation, is every 2-3 days. And this means keeping up this rate even prior to ovulation. There is no point in abstaining from ejaculation until presumed ovulation and then starting to do it, with "old" sperm. If you are unable to make love early in the cycle either because you are regularly not together at that time, or she is unwell, then the man needs to masturbate in the interim so that when you do get together you are immediately working with your best sperm.

From the woman's point of view her pre-ovulatory cervical mucus will usually be suitable for sperm penetration around two days prior to ovulation and stay so for a day after ovulation, and good sperm will last about 2-3 days in this mucus. Thus there is a three-day window within which sperm can enter into and survive within the female genital tract. Making love every 2-3 days around ovulation, ie three times in the week of ovulation will give the best sperm picture and the best chance of this coinciding with ovulation. There is no need and no benefit in struggling to find "the day" and then struggling to "do it" on that day. This is stressful, and stress reduces sperm quality and seminal volume, and impairs ovulation.

Re: DH's SA results are in

First off

I would have your DH see a urologist. He may have a varicocele which is very common in men. Also have a repeat SA done because results can fluctuate a lot. If your DH was sick recently or any certain medications his results can be affected.

Research vitamins. I will FM you some DH had recommended for him. It will be OK

Re: DH's SA results are in

Posted by MrsM429

thanks ladies

I'm willing to do whatever it takes to have a baby, but I really didn't think we'd be going against these odds. I wish I could move up my appt with my RE, but she wants me to lose 30lbs before beginning any type of treatments and so far i've only lost 10

Re: DH's SA results are in

Have you seen a urologist yet? While trying to conceive our dd, dh had to go see a urologist. He had a high sperm count but 8% morphology. We went to the dr and he had a varicocele. We were able to conceive eventually. My bff's husband just had surgery to correct this problem as well. I wish you luck!

Re: DH's SA results are in

Just want to offer

Re: DH's SA results are in

as i mentioned in my last post - def talk to the doctor and see what she says and i agree about him seeing a urologist!

And I think we are all dying to know - how did you lose 10 pounds already!!!!

Re: DH's SA results are in

I had DH take a whole concoction of vitamins and supplements that I found after tons of research. I also have pcos but after 5 months of DH taking the vitmins his numbers went from bad to above average. Then 5 months later I was pregnant. I posted a thread about it, I'll bump it.

Re: DH's SA results are in

Thank you so much for all of your kind and encouraging advice!! They mean so much to us

I am going to research vitamin supplements for him as a few of you suggested, and once we have our meeting with our RE, we'll discuss our options. Hopefully his count will rise and we can go ahead with the scheduled IUI. I'm just really nervous about the possibility of immediately jumping to IVF, ya know. But, of it means we'll have a baby, then we'll do it

Again, thank you all for the support. I was feeling really low and upset, but you all definetly cheered me up

Re: DH's SA results are in