Low sperm count
Discussion
My apologies for any typos but I'm on my phone.
I was actually thinking about whether or not I should post this but decided it would do no harm. A couple of people know me in "real life" but I can live with that.
Me and Mrs H have been trying for a baby for about a year now but have had no luck. We made the decision in the last few weeks to see the doctor.
Our first visit was ok, we were referred to the hospital to give some samples and waited for the results (Mrs H having to give her sample on a specific day). The results came back and there was good news and bad. Mrs H is ok looking at the initial blood test results but I had a low count; 10.4 and they could not measure motility. I was told to go back for a second sample with a slightly different effort (take the sample at the hospital and don't have sex for three days rather than two).
We waited for the results and went back in, bad news again. The count had increased to 43 but the motility was 1% with 0% progressive. Mrs H was very upset when the doctor pulled out my old records as the reason became apparent. When I was 4 I had an operation for rectracted testicles on both sides and they were very high up. Basically the doctor said he wouldn't waste our time doing more samples and has referred us to the local specialist (appointment booked at the Centre of Life in Newcastle). The one good news was that he said because they knew the reason we would skip them looking for that and jump to the next stage.
To add to the bad news, Mr H might have endymetrious (correct spelling?) so she might need an internal scan for that.
So...to be honest I'm gutted but still praying something can be done.
What can I do, if anything, to increase my chances? I'm trying everything sensible; drinking water, no alcohol, healthy diet, vitamin supplements, baggy shorts, etc. My worry is that my diet is already really good so my count is probably the best it can be anyway.
What will happen? Has anyone been in a similar position?
Anything on the subject will stop me googling, my doctor advised against that so I thought I would post here instead
I was actually thinking about whether or not I should post this but decided it would do no harm. A couple of people know me in "real life" but I can live with that.
Me and Mrs H have been trying for a baby for about a year now but have had no luck. We made the decision in the last few weeks to see the doctor.
Our first visit was ok, we were referred to the hospital to give some samples and waited for the results (Mrs H having to give her sample on a specific day). The results came back and there was good news and bad. Mrs H is ok looking at the initial blood test results but I had a low count; 10.4 and they could not measure motility. I was told to go back for a second sample with a slightly different effort (take the sample at the hospital and don't have sex for three days rather than two).
We waited for the results and went back in, bad news again. The count had increased to 43 but the motility was 1% with 0% progressive. Mrs H was very upset when the doctor pulled out my old records as the reason became apparent. When I was 4 I had an operation for rectracted testicles on both sides and they were very high up. Basically the doctor said he wouldn't waste our time doing more samples and has referred us to the local specialist (appointment booked at the Centre of Life in Newcastle). The one good news was that he said because they knew the reason we would skip them looking for that and jump to the next stage.
To add to the bad news, Mr H might have endymetrious (correct spelling?) so she might need an internal scan for that.
So...to be honest I'm gutted but still praying something can be done.
What can I do, if anything, to increase my chances? I'm trying everything sensible; drinking water, no alcohol, healthy diet, vitamin supplements, baggy shorts, etc. My worry is that my diet is already really good so my count is probably the best it can be anyway.
What will happen? Has anyone been in a similar position?
Anything on the subject will stop me googling, my doctor advised against that so I thought I would post here instead
I wouldn't worry about the count too much. it is the quality that needs to be high with the motility... My motility was between 1-4% depending on the readings, we tried IVR through the NHS and it failed, it's pretty traumatic (especially on the good wife), lots of drugs and injections.
We waited a few years and tried a private clinic in London, ARGC and they were fantastic, we were both heading fat to our 40's, TBH I thought we would never have kids after such low readings but we now have an amazing 2 year old daughter.
Pick the right clinic, NHS is worth a go but the service between ARGC and Cov fertility was massive, wish we had done it sooner... Stay positive, reduce the coffee, give up booze, don't smoke, do this for around 6 months prior to starting your treatment.... There are male fertility pills full of zinc you could use to boost your levels, have a diet full of greens and fish.
We waited a few years and tried a private clinic in London, ARGC and they were fantastic, we were both heading fat to our 40's, TBH I thought we would never have kids after such low readings but we now have an amazing 2 year old daughter.
Pick the right clinic, NHS is worth a go but the service between ARGC and Cov fertility was massive, wish we had done it sooner... Stay positive, reduce the coffee, give up booze, don't smoke, do this for around 6 months prior to starting your treatment.... There are male fertility pills full of zinc you could use to boost your levels, have a diet full of greens and fish.
My father in law specialises in men's fertility - some useful information on his website (plus a forum)
(mods please remove if not allowed)
http://mensfe.net
Op good luck, on a positive note you now know what the route cause is, so at least you can work from there
(mods please remove if not allowed)
http://mensfe.net
Op good luck, on a positive note you now know what the route cause is, so at least you can work from there
You should be eligible for NHS IVF based on ages but there are other considerations (e.g. any children from previous relationships, either of you? Seems utterly unfair on the current partner but that is one of the guidelines). The best advice I can give you is to proceed as fast as you possibly can, if you prevaricate and wait then your chances (of all aspects) will only ever go one way.
If you do go for IVF, then (a) I wish you the very best of luck, but (b) sadly, do be prepared for significant possible emotional/mental fallout if it fails, including manifestation of physical issues which didn't exist beforehand. Even if both of you currently are, and believe each other are, fully stable and able to cope with such a setback. I assure you, I speak as one who knows.
If you do go for IVF, then (a) I wish you the very best of luck, but (b) sadly, do be prepared for significant possible emotional/mental fallout if it fails, including manifestation of physical issues which didn't exist beforehand. Even if both of you currently are, and believe each other are, fully stable and able to cope with such a setback. I assure you, I speak as one who knows.
Mobile Chicane said:
IVF. A friend had similar problems but (thankfully) just the one cycle of privately funded IVF solved it. Depending on your age (s) / whether or not you already have biological children, you may get one cycle free on the NHS.
Depending on where you live you may even get more than One go, IIRC when we started down that route Wasall PCTs offered mutliple trys and ours only offered one. What ever you do set a limit for trying otherwise it will consume your finances and your life.Nothing much to add, other than support.
My wife lost her two first pregnancies which is crap...
You both feel really crappy when you see lots of other people with kids and you don't / can't etc.
Try not to, it's not helpful.
Focus on each other and getting whatever help you can, keep working on it and stay as positive as you can.
You're both young, both healthy and things do happen all the time, a couple we know are in the same position and another we met have not had a child through IVF.
Best of luck!
My wife lost her two first pregnancies which is crap...
You both feel really crappy when you see lots of other people with kids and you don't / can't etc.
Try not to, it's not helpful.
Focus on each other and getting whatever help you can, keep working on it and stay as positive as you can.
You're both young, both healthy and things do happen all the time, a couple we know are in the same position and another we met have not had a child through IVF.
Best of luck!
All good advice so far.
Although I didn't have a low count, missus had 'Endo' and we were successful on the 2nd round of IVF, the first baby seemed to flush out all the cysts in the wash (baby coming out) and she fell pregant naturally 6 months later
We now have two little boys.
During the process we became friends with another couple who were going through IVF (as he had a low count), they ended up conceiving at the same time as us and our babies were born a day apart. They've just had another round of IVF and have No.2 on the way.
Not sure if its been suggested, but wellman tablets are worth a try, not sure if they work, and they are expensive. They sure make your jizz turn to jelly, so they have some effect down there....
Maybe someone more knowledgeable could explain.
Be patient and try and relax (easier said then done)
Good luck
Although I didn't have a low count, missus had 'Endo' and we were successful on the 2nd round of IVF, the first baby seemed to flush out all the cysts in the wash (baby coming out) and she fell pregant naturally 6 months later
We now have two little boys.
During the process we became friends with another couple who were going through IVF (as he had a low count), they ended up conceiving at the same time as us and our babies were born a day apart. They've just had another round of IVF and have No.2 on the way.
Not sure if its been suggested, but wellman tablets are worth a try, not sure if they work, and they are expensive. They sure make your jizz turn to jelly, so they have some effect down there....
Maybe someone more knowledgeable could explain.
Be patient and try and relax (easier said then done)
Good luck
Nothing much to add, other than support.
My wife lost her two first pregnancies which is crap...
You both feel really crappy when you see lots of other people with kids and you don't / can't etc.
Try not to, it's not helpful.
Focus on each other and getting whatever help you can, keep working on it and stay as positive as you can.
You're both young, both healthy and things do happen all the time, a couple we know are in the same position and another we met have not had a child through IVF.
Best of luck!
My wife lost her two first pregnancies which is crap...
You both feel really crappy when you see lots of other people with kids and you don't / can't etc.
Try not to, it's not helpful.
Focus on each other and getting whatever help you can, keep working on it and stay as positive as you can.
You're both young, both healthy and things do happen all the time, a couple we know are in the same position and another we met have not had a child through IVF.
Best of luck!
Thanks for all the links and positive messages, I'm busy reading up now. It's just frightening how many nice "normal" couples find themselves in this position.
The most frustrating thing at the moment is waiting for our appointment in December! In the meantime I'm filling up on various vitamins and following a strict diet... It's ironic that its times like this i would love a drink
I'm hoping we qualify for IVF. No kids although I'm divorced, will that matter?
The most frustrating thing at the moment is waiting for our appointment in December! In the meantime I'm filling up on various vitamins and following a strict diet... It's ironic that its times like this i would love a drink
I'm hoping we qualify for IVF. No kids although I'm divorced, will that matter?
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