Can someone help w/ male test results?

[JackiD]

Honestly, should we try vitamins/supplements or resign to IVF? Please help me figure out these results.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=320656

[jeniferm]

There probably just aren't that many people here with enough info to help. But, I can recommend another resource that may help you more. Actually, two. First, check out the forums at www.ovusoft.com. They have a forum there dedicated to male-factor infertility. Several very knowledgeable women post there who have also dealt with trying to figure out if things could be fixed, how bad things really are, etc. Also, you might check out the forumst at www.ivfconnections.net. I don't know if they have any dedicated to male-factor, but they have a lot of forums and may also have a larger number of women who have been in your shoes and can help.

Good luck.

[JackiD]

Thanks!

[May-lily]

Hi
I looked at your three SA results and depending on your age and your own fertility status it may be worth trying supplements and see if you get lucky (that's in my humble opinion and I"m not a doctor...)
I deal with make factor and have done hours of research on medical journals. My dh's motiliy has doubled, but no pregnancy so far

Here's a list of commonly found suggestions (it's actually an old copy-paste from somebody else's very thorough post, to give due credit)

Vit C - 1000mg time release
-Zinc 45mg
-CoQ10 30mg
-Vit E 800iu
-L-arginine 500mg
-acetyl-L-carnitine (fumarate preferred)
-B12 - 1000mcg
-omega 3 FA's
-lycopene 17mg - 8 oz. of V8 per day
-Pycnogenol 100mg
-selenium 400mcg
-folic acid
-milk thistle
-PC-95 (proanthocyanidin)
-Green Tea -
Ginger 1000mg/day
Asian Ginseng

My dh is also on astragalus and I think it helps too. Also follow the basic recs: no tights underwear or pants, no hot baths, keep stress low, no smoking/drugs etc...


good luck. I dont check this forum super regularly so if you have questions pm me.

M

[May-lily]

There's also IVM now which I've just learned about (see recent threads.)

[F and L]

I'm going to be honest here, and say that those sperm results mean it is very unlikely you'd get pregnant without IVF/ICSE. If you are very young and extremely fertile, it might happen naturally, but if you are in your 30s or older, I'd be pretty proactive about getting help now.

[JackiD]

Thanks and I appreciate your honesty F and L. I am 32 and DH is 35...

[chiromama]

jacki, Did your doc do an antisperm antibody screen? It's not much more than a regular SA. We have ASAB, and IVF with ICSI was our 'only choice'. I know others try IUI, but we chose to go forward with IVF, and I am now the proud owner of 6 frozen embryos and two hopeful candidates in my uterus (we'll know if they stuck in a week or so!). Honestly, other than the money, IVF wasn't so bad. i'd be willing to share all information i have. The most important part of this is making sure you're not going through it alone. PM me anytime you need to.

[LianneM]

Hi Jacki Just wanted to give you a

[JackiD]

Thanks Lianne!

I don't think there was an antisperm antibody test done. Our plan is to have another SA done in a few months and hope that they lifestyle/vitamin & mineral change causes and increase in count/motility/etc. I will mention the antibody test to DH. We are also going to change the "collection method" and use the Pre~Seed Semen Collection Kit - wondering if the low volume has something to do with that.

[chiromama]

What do you mean, change your 'collection method'? Sorry, but I'm not sure how else you do it.. hand, penis, cup.... or am I missing something?

[JackiD]

From their website:

Pre~Seed's Semen Collection Kit
Includes:
1 tube Pre~Seed "sperm-friendly" Intimate Moisturizer
1 non-spermicidal Male Factor Condom

Allows collection of sperm samples naturally during intercourse for use in fertility testing and treatments.

Published studies suggest 2-3 times the number of motile sperm can be collected using a condom at intercourse versus masturbation.

[chiromama]

Ah, my husband just gave his sample at the office... in the 'masturbatorium'.. with a video and a cup.
I hope this other way gets you some better results! Did you clear it with your doc? Ours I doubt would have accepted a sample with lube. Good luck!

[JackiD]

Haven't spoken w/ the doc about it, but the first SA he did was in a bathroom in the LOBBY of the lab....with people knocking on the door.... he didn't want me to go with him - good thing too, cuz I would have flipped out!

[chiromama]

THE LOBBY!????? holy bad masturbatorium sperm man! That sucks. At our clinic, the guys have a separate exit, so they don't have to do the walk of shame. Yeah, I'd wanna do it at home to if that were the case.

[JackiD]

Originally Posted by chiromama

THE LOBBY!????? holy bad masturbatorium sperm man!

:LOL

[Justice2]

Yeah, hubby just did his at home too. He came home for lunch, our toddler and I went for a pizza. We were gone for like 10 min (seriously!) and when we came back he was sitting on the porch waiting. Then there was the lovely drive to the lab with a sample of our future children between my legs (held there for warmth!) Too funny! Hubby refused (yes, REFUSED) to go to the lab.

Are you sure that you want to use Pre-Seed? That may not be th best idea to get accurate results.

[chiromama]

I have a funnier story. Our first IUI, turns out I'm ovulating the day Hubby must fly out for a business trip. So... we schedule the IUI for early in the morning. He wakes up late to catch his 7AM flight... so he has 15 mins to shower, iron clothes, finish packing and leave his "life force" in a cup. I rush him to the airport with said life force between my legs, then rush home, shower ( cause there is NO WAY IN HELL I'm going in for an IUI with out taking a shower first) and rush the sample to the office within the 1 hour period (after collection) so they can prep it. Of course, this was long before we knew we had a male factor problem.. and that was his best sample ever. Ah... the joys of infertility!