Trying to Conceive Forum

by **Gemini** » Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:42 am

Hi everyone,

I'm not sure which board to post my question in, so I thought I'd try here.

A couple of weeks ago my DH had his sperm tested. At first we thought his numbers were good, but upon second opinion, it was pointed out that his 2% morphology rate was a big concern.

Here are his basic numbers:

His total sperm count was 284,000,000
Concentration amount was 142,000,000
Motility was 70%

Morphology Ideal 2%
Head defects 98%
Neck defect 25%
ail defects 6%

TZI was 1.31

We've been prescribed 3 different supplements to help improve the morphology numbers, and if those don't work, we may have to move to IVF with ICSI.

Has anyone experienced similar numbers to these, and if so..
- What kind of treatment was prescribed?
- Did it work?
- Did you require IVF with ICSI?

I posted a similar question on another board, but I'm feeling so stressed right now, I thought I'd see what everyone here thought.

by **orangecat** » Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:59 am

Hi Gemini
I believe 4% is the minimum ideal morphology they want so 2% with that large of a number of sperm is still quite a lot of sperm. SA only show a small portion of the whole picture. Was this the first SA? They usually like to do 2-3 to have a comparison on hand.
My DH has had many over the last few years and no two have been the same.
His most recent revealed 3% morphology out of a sample of 98MIL. But we were told not to worry too much. He has been taking Zinc and Folic Acid in hopes of helping.
What kinds of supplements is your DH on?
No one has said IVF with ICSI is our only option at this point....Have you looked into IUI?
This infertility game is a lot of the times a money grab by the fertility clinics...they stand to make a lot more money if they say IVF with ICSI is your only option. I would look for a second opinion if that is an option and get a repeat SA to see if it was a fluke sample.
GL to you both!
Try not to stress. xx

by **Gemini** » Tue Aug 23, 2016 11:16 am

Hi Organgecat

Yes, this was his first SA. In terms of supplements, I believe they prescribed, L-Carnitine, CoQ10 and vitamin E. They said in clinical testing is showed a 120% sperm improvement rate when taken together.

If it came down to it, I'd like to try an IUI before jumping into IVF. However, the topic of an IUI was quickly brought up at our last appointment, and the naturopath said it may not work because even if the sperm got anywhere near the egg, they still couldn't penetrate the egg because of the head defects. I always thought though that the sperm were washed before hand, and that all the defective sperm would be removed before performing an IUI. So then only the good sperm would get inserted.

by **orangecat** » Tue Aug 23, 2016 2:02 pm

Gemini
I wouldn't worry too much just yet:)
How long have you been TTC? Your best chance of success is in the first 2 years so if you've only just begun there is hope!

We got pregnant the cycle we found out DH's SA was at 3% morphology and we did it naturally. It only takes one and with IUI there is a greater chance at as only the best are put in after the sperm wash.

Where do you live? In Canada at my clinic IUI is $90/try plus trigger shot which is $97 and we can walk down the street to see our doctor. IVF is $12,000+ and we would have to travel 8 hours away so it's a no brainer for us.

GL I wish you all the best. xx

by **Naivelyhopeful** » Wed Aug 24, 2016 10:25 pm

My hubby's sperm count was barely a fraction of your's, he had consistently really low motility and morphology and we conceived "naturally". He took similar vitamins for a while then stopped, then took clomid for 6 weeks then bam... Conceived on a cancelled IUI cycle from BDing only. Hope that's of some comfort and hope to you, hun.

I think it's worth retesting his sperm in a couple of months and if it's still not great then looking into/enquiring with your specialist about IUI.