Low sperm count?

Hi we have MFI - so we need to do IVF ISCI - my DH has aso been taken menevit for last 2 months - will be interesting to see if it makes a difference.

Good luck

I believe its Male Factor Infertility (or something along those lines!)

Hi Princessparkly

Has your DH has a virus or flu lately? Sometimes that can affect the sperm count? My DH had swine flu and his count basically halved by 50%!! Apparently, it can return up to normal within 4-5 mths.

We are just about to try ICIS after years of trying - my DH went through the sperm analysis once again but this was done at the Fertility associates Lab and his sperm was tested for MAR - mixed antiglobulin reaction.

I wish we got tested for this early on It confirmed a positive result for my DH - the other sperm tests DO NOT pick this up. Basically, my husband tested 41% MAR - this means 41% of his sperm are not effective because it carries an antisperm antibody. The sperm clump together therefore making conception unlikely except through IVF/ICSI.

My DH started taking Menovit a month ago - it will be interesting to see how his count is on the day we do egg collection


All the best princesssparkly, I hope you get have a good appt with FA - they are great and will guide you in the right direction.

Wow, I thought Menevit increased sperm count! That is what I was lead to believe anyway! Thanks SunshineWife learnt something new today! All the best for your ICIS in March/April

Thankyou for all your replies ladies.

No DH has not been ill lately louloubell. But in saying that we have both put on an extra weight in the last year so we are going to work on our weight.
Infact i have decided that i want to loose 15gs. My BMI is 29 and i would love for it to be 25 or under.

I went to see my Awesome GP today he has made the referal to FA I just have to do a few bloods and he suggested that DH has another sample done. I will ring FA tomorrow. My GP advised that we should pay for the inital consultation and see how many points we have and what the waits are from there.

I rang my hubby (who is working away this week) and told him what my GP had said. He mentioned that he had an undecented testical when he was younger so he thinks that he only has one functioning testical! he didnt mention this previously. So perhaps this has something to do with the sperm count?

Thanks SunshineWife and snooze for mentioning that menevi will not increase the quantity just the quality.
DH will be visiting the chemist on payday.

I wish you the best of luck with your ICIS louloubell and Sunshinewife. I look forward to hearing how you both get on.

Snooze that is great ICIS has worked for you twice. I have only just turned 30 and DH is 36 so i guess time is on our side.

Hi Guys,

DH and I are in the same situation with MFI. DH has less then 1M.

The first appointment we had at F+ was with a great doctor that gave us a lot of advise to help with the low count (no Miracle cure he did remind us). Basically we got told the it takes the swimmers about 3 months to develop therefore we needed to make sure that a minimum of 3 months before we had IVF/ICIS we make sure that we start really looking after both of our bodies. Ie eat healthy, exercise, no excessive heat for DH in that region etc.

Unfortunately for us we have now been through one cycle of IVF/ICIS with 1 BFN and 1 BFP that resulted in a MC at 6 weeks.

The hope however that we did see a small increase in DH's samples since starting on this "we must be healthy kick".

Good luck to everyone and baby dust to all.

princesssparkly - thank you for your kind words. I am surprised on the 4 year wait. I thought that was for unexplained Infertility? Not give up hope yet. After you first consulation you will have a better idea where you stand. With our low sperm count we had to be trying for 1 year and it took a year on the the waiting list. Our public cycle starts this April. I will have by fingers crossed for you that the nurse just had her facts wrong.

Hi Princess- we are dealing with MFI too, I'm suprised to hear you may not qualify for funding.... My DH originally had a count of 2 million(gone down to less than 1 mill on his last SA :( ) and we were put on the waiting list after having tried naturally for a year. Hopefully you will find out more at your appointment and as the others said-maybe they just got it wrong.Best of luck!

Hi princess - I think it is odd how you don't get public funding with low sperm count? Don't give up hope till you go to FA clinic! The others are right! Tell them how long you have been trying and how often etc any family history or gyno probs...tell them everything you poss can... ask about the MAR test (extra male sperm test) if that is positive you may be put on the list straight away.... I know this all sux and is frustrating... take a nice long bath tonight with a glass of vino and solider back on tomorrow. This journey is definitely challenging to say the least... but hopefully with the support of this forum and your DH, it makes things a wee bit easier

Just out of curiosity - How many samples do other people have frozen at the moment?

We currently have 1 sample up at FA Hamilton and they have thawed one straw to make sure it was ok.

Does anyone know how many samples you are allowed to have frozen up there under public funding?

Princess Sparkly - i know what you mean about being shocked about needing help to concieve i burst into tears at our first appointment when they told us.

Also does anyone know how far in adavance you need to start preparing for ur IVF and the things you need to do to prepare yourself?