How bad is this (sperm analysis results)?

[rcr]

So, DHs sperm analysis results finally came back. As I kindof suspected, it was not good news:

Volume: abnormal (too small)
count: 20 million (40 million is normal)
shape: less than 50% of sperm have normal shape (normal is more than 70%)

The doc gave him a list of vitamins to take (I don't have that list, otherwise I would post it), and I gave him maca to take. He told him to come back in 3 months for another test.

I am trying not to get too depressed about this, but the results seem horribly grim to me - especially the shape finding. Is there any positive way to look at this?

[TXmom2]

I would definitely get him taking the Maca, taking the vitamins, cutting out any smoking/drinking (if that's an issue) and wearing boxers (if not already) and generally trying to be as healthy as possible.
The results are not that bad..but would be nice if they improved
Also, how long had he abstained prior to the testing? It may be that you two just need to BD every 3rd day to maximize chances....

[Nanette56]

mama try not to worry too much. (I know, easy for me to say) But I really think those numbers are ok. I included a link below that talks about it. Did the doc talk to you about IUI? Do you know what the exact morphology number is? The percentages for normal sperm morph are actually lower nowadays. (Anything over 14%)

http://infertilityblog.blogspot.com/...mythology.html

This should put your mind at ease. Are you seeing an RE or is this just an OB?

[rcr]

He saw a urologist.

That link is really interesting nanette - I read what "normal" is on web md, which had quite a differnet version of normal.

He tested 3 days after we BD'd. Would that make a difference?

[Nanette56]

They say you can wait up to 4 or 5, so maybe he could wait another day longer next time? I think the version of "normal" has changed significantly in the last few years, but the old standards still exist even though most men don't fit within them anymore. I don't know why doctors don't stay more informed and then make you get all stressed out about it. Oh, and FYI Fertilaid for men is also supposed to help with the counts.

[MrsD08]

I priced Fertilaid for men, and although it has most of what my DH needs, it costs significantly more than it would to buy the whole list of what I've got for him. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

GL rcr!

[Nanette56]

I agree, it's expensive, if your DH is good about taking a bunch of supplements then it's definitely cheaper. (I have a hard time getting my DH to take ONE pill)

[rcr]

He is not the kind of guy to take a bunch of pills. I got him one of those daily pill dispensers so that he does not "forget". I'll look into fertiliaid.

Just a question - do people actually conceive with a prognoosis like this, without the help of the supplements? I am wondering if all of the TTC'ing that we have done for almost a year was pointless... and I was kinda hoping that I will get a bfp in a week and a half. Is there still a chance?

[BabyA'sMom]

...

Edited by BabyA'sMom - 1/29/11 at 4:00pm

[a-sorta-fairytale]

Ill be an inspiration for ya.
PG 1 - tried 1 month and pg
PG 2 - stopped not trying and pg within 1 month - mc

I then spent nearly 2 years ttc - perfect cycles, on many studies for my cycles and everything should have been perfect. We did clomid and iui and accupuncture.

found that i had 1 bad tube so damaged it was useless and that happened to be on the side of my super ovary. I ovulated with this overy 8/10 times. So one good tube with the sucky ovary and one good ovary with a sucky tube. DH's tests came back with horrid morphology. we were told we would not conceive without ivf but we could try a few months of iui.

they cancelled my iui because i was ovulating on my bad tube side. We dtd the night before we were told of the cancellation. We conceived ds (pg #3) that month.

So after about 2 years of trying everything and being told we had a less then 1% chance of getting pg on our own we did.

Since that was so stressful we decided not to ever ttc again and if we happened to get pg in the next few years great - if not then it wasnt meant to be.

I am now PG with #4.

So, even with more then 1 doc (saw 2 obs and a RE) saying we would not conceive we did twice. It really does only take one good sperm.