Male Factor Infertility

Hi    We had male factor infertility, and yes, not enough viable sperm to do anything other than ICSI. We had less than 5% normal sperm, a very high count, but motility and morphology were a bust.

DH is a very relaxed sort, and I don't think he ever actually felt bad about it for himself at all - he was able to acknowledge the lifestyle factors, and just sheer crap luck that meant that we had to go down that track.

You're not a fraud at all being on the forum silly thing, you are half of an infertile couple! Infertility sucks no matter how much chocolate you coat it in

When you think about it, you've a problem shared to an extent - your weight will hold you up qualifying for publicly funded treatment, and you're having to shed it in the first place because you have male factor infertility    All I can say re your appointment today is be prepared to receive the advice that ICSI is your best option, and believe me, IVF is hard, but it's not the end of the world. You want that baby, right?    In the meantime, give yourself goals re weight loss and work hard, with all the motivation you have for that baby. I'm not entirely sure, but I actually think that even private IVF will refuse to do the course if your weight is an issue due to reduced chance of success. It's a lot of money down the drain, so it's worth it. Also, we went through F+ and they were gorgeous - they also have lower fees for ICSI - by a couple of thousand from memory.

Also, if you can, try and isolate factors which may be contributing to the sperm problem - sometimes it can help

Hi

We had male factor infertility, combined with my age. I think it's worth knowing that semen quality can vary a lot, and it can often be improved to some extent. My DH had low count, mortility and morphology following a vasectomy reversal for the first couple of years and when we first went to F+ they were quite discouraging about IUI based on a SA done several months earlier, which showed 100,000 sperm with only 5% motility. But since then he had done acupuncture and vitamin and mineral supplments and with another SA was done it had improved markedly, to just below 'normal' - 10million, 55% motility. Since then it has varied a bit, e.g. we've had 3 IUI attempts (unsuccessful); the first one after the sperm had been prepared (which includes wahing away the 'sluggish' ones etc), there 400,000; 2nd time there were 3 million; 3rd time there were 800,000, and we were all ready for a 4th attempt but the semen count was too low. About 6 weeks before that last one DH had been really sick, and we think that, combined with the medication he took, caused the low count. so we're now in the process of getting as healthy as possible before having one more go in a couple of months, but it's been recommended that DH have a series of SA's done first to try to be sure it'll all be good on the day.

So there is hope! I'm a researcher so had looked through the medical journals that specialise in (in)fertility, and there does seem to be some evidence for other supplments in addition to Menavit, but more research needs to be done. However, I do think these others helped us (though improving diet was also a factor, i'm sure): L-Carnitine, L-Arginine and Co-Enzyme Q-10. Gets expensive though, esp the Carnitine (Vita-fit brand is best value).

Sorry about the novel, but good luck!

DP has less than 5% morphology and last count was 8.4million, but borderline normal motility... will find out on Monday if Menevit has made a differcne or not...

Wish my DP was as willing to have his 'bits felt' lol... NOONE is allowed down there, so we will never know if theres anything there that could be blocking the paths or anything...Silly 'man pride' getting in the way. Blood tests showed nothing hormonal or genetic causing it...so 'unexplained'?

He has been really lovely tongiht tho cos he saw how down I got cos af showed up today...so in 2 days we hit the 13 month mark, and the next day we get the news that kinda determines where we go from here...

regardless of the results, I am going to doctor on Tuesday and asking if I can go on Reductil cos I wanna get rid of this weight....A few people have mentioned this to me as a possibility, and I even have a weight'loss buddy at work now too..I am willing to do everything possible to sort myself out so we can get the help if/when we need to...

Thanks for the words you guys, it helps me a lot to know im not alone in this kinda situation...

Well we got DP's SA rsults back, and after a meeting with Dr Graham...the verdict is we need IVF....

still kinda numb about it all...

On a major weight loss mission now though since I need to get down to at least 83kg to be accepted for public funded IVF... we are eligible for it as we score 70 points on their scales, and need 65 to get in... so all bets are off and I am now switching focus to weight loss (at least 20kg..eep) seeing as theres slim chance of getting preg naturally...

wish I had taken another day off work instead of just today... I am going to be a mess once this has all sunken in...

Hiya,

My other half has no probs with his "boys" but I just wanted to wish you all the best.

I'm the one who is at fault. I've had two ICSI cycles (both negative). We are now seeking an egg donor and am hoping a lovely lady will come to our rescue very soon.

Take care.

My husband has had a vasectomy reversal and I have been visiting an american forum that helps with getting the best results after a VR. Their specialist recomment these kinds of things to help produce the best swimmers.
It takes 3mths for any alterations to lifestyle to show an affect on the swimmers. As that is the life cycle of swimmers.
1. No heat to the groin area. This includes no hot tubs, hot showers, Jacuzzis or hot saunas or laptops on the knees. It takes 74 days to make swimmers so avoid heat for approximately 3 months prior to trying to conceive or checking a swimmer analysis.
2. Stay well hydrated.
3. Eat a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
4. Eat beef three times a week.
5. Try to ejaculate approximately every 24-48 hours, to keep the system revved up.
6. Avoid testosterone replacement and all male hormone/androgen supplements. These can drastically reduce and even zero-out your swimmers count. Most often these counts return overtime, but some men remain sterile permanently.
7. Absolutely no tobacco in any for.
8. Absolutely no marijuana or other drug use, as these are associated with reduced testosterone levels and poor swimmers counts and morphology (can be an indication of chromosomal abnormalities).
9. Alcohol in moderation. Excess or binge drinking or heavy drinking is associated with significant swimmer toxicity.
Anti-oxidants
1. Selenium 200 micrograms once a day
2. Vitamin C, 250-500 mg, 3 times a day
3. Vitamin E 400 international units once a day
4. Zinc 50-100 mg once a day
5. Coenzyme Q10 30-50 mg once a day
6. Folic acid 400 micrograms a day
7. B complex once a day
8. Fish oil capsules, 2-3 times a day
9. Multivitamin with trace minerals once a day

I hope this helps.
Centrum makes a good multi-vitamin that has most of the list and what is left out add with the individual pills.
Or there is this you can buy from overseas.
http://www.fertilityblend.com.html/fertilityblend_optimize_repro.html

Thanks purpledragon for all that info. I have printed off the list of pills good for DH's swimmers and I plan to take a trip to the chemist and have a look. I also looked at that fertiliy blend website. It sounds amazing but I am always weary (sp) at buying stuff from states - i probably being paranoid. And I am not sure DH would pay out all that money as we have been buying Maca online and that is quite expensive as well so might just carry on with that for the moment.   

Definatly goin to have a look at that Agnus Cactus/Vitex 30c tho. Is that the full name of it and can you just get it from the chemist or health shop?

Hi all

My partner and I tried to conceive for about 18 months before finally seeking help at Fertility Associates. I was completely shocked to find out that our issue was due to him having a low (pretty much zero) sperm count. Up to that point I had imagined it was all me! We don't know why he has no sperm - everything we could think of seemed to be ruled out by the specialist. (We still suspect that it is due to an illness he suffered as a child that meant he was on antibiotics for 18 years but the specialist seems to think there is no research evidence to support this!) Any way we now find ourselves counting on someone donating sperm to be able to conceive. I can 't imagine the guilt my beautiful man must feel every time we see a baby, or every time I get upset at our situation. He is very private about it and so we haven't told anyone about our circumstances. This makes it a bit of a lonely journey but I respect his need for privacy.
I emphathise with any one in this situation - it is really hard and I wish you all the luck in the world.

Edited by olympics

Congrats again hun. I saw your chart earlier and saw the great wee surprise

lol at the Horny Goat Weed. Do you think it helped??

Def would put it down to the goat weed lol... it put him in a better mood... so he was 'up for it' more than once in my fertile period lol... so not sure if it was the menevit kicking in, the got weed combined with menevit, or just getting more than one shot in... or maybe all 3? But either way... something worked lol!

Couldnt help myself and did another net cheapie, and a quickcard just to be sure... lol... and we are def having a baby... no ifs, buts or maybe's about it!!!