What's the "best" timing with sperm issues?

[Court]

It's really hard for me to find an answer to this question online, and if you want to direct me to another thread, please do.

Here's the deal... my husband has a spinal cord injury (luckily all his reproductive stuff still works), but according to limited research on the subject - sperm can sometimes be affected by this. Usually it's motility, not count that are affected though. He doesn't want to get an SA until next year sometime. I have looked at a sample of his under the microscope and have seen little guys swimming around, so at least I know there are some there.

So, if anyone wants to listen to my details and obsess with me, I would very much appreciate it.
Here's what I've noticed about my cycles....
EWCM on days 11 and 12. Positive OPK early on day 12. Dried up on day 13
I really feel like my egg pops at the end of day 12. Fertility friend marked me as ovulating on day 13 (the one cycle I tracked) though.

We've only tried (hard) for 2 cycles. The first cycle we did it day 12 and 13. The second cycle we did it day 11 and 12.

So, assuming we might be dealing with some sperm issues...Should we aim to bd the day before the positive opk ( I get a fade in)...or should we do it the day of the pos. opk...or the day after? - which I'm dried up at that point.

How much time do the sperm need in there before the egg pops out? Should he wait to ejaculate for 4-5 days before hand to save it up?

So I would LOVE any info on this, as this is stuff we would ask a doctor but, that's months away. While we're trying on our own, I would at least like to be getting the timing right. p.s. I had my two previous kids with my ex.

TIA!

[TexasHopeful]

I had asked our dr something similar when we first started. We ended up trying 8-9 months, went to RE and he suggested that we do the SA. Turned out our count was too low to even consider IUI or conceiving naturally... but before that they had said to bd a couple of days before you Opk. Sperm typically lives for 3 days, and you want it in there before you O so they can make contact. They told DH to obstain (not sure if it's spelled correctly) 2-5 days to ensure there will be a maximum amount of sperm. If I were you, I would try for a few more months. Bd a few days before you O, and again on the day you peak...just in case. Hope this helps!

[halifax40]

Well there is no easy answer and no crystal ball to know just what is best or just when you O, that said I have a couple of comments that may or may not help a bit.
First of all you said it likely affects motility rather than number. If numbers of sperm are not an issue than BDing every day for a few days leading up to suspected O and until after you are certain O has occured (temp shift on chart) is perhaps the best way to cover your bases (or maybe every second day if you do have any concern re: numbers). If you only wait until +OPK to start BDing, you could miss your opportunity, as O can occur as early as 12 hours after detecting the surge. (they say 12-36 hours is the average, but it is hard to tell if you are catching the beginning of your surge or not, some women have longer surges, some shorter).
Likely no need to store up sperm..in fact some recent studies suggest that going too many days between ejaculations (though it may increase numbers a bit) may actually make for poorer quality sperm (more that are not up to the job).
As far as drying up goes, CM isn't always the best indicator as you may still have fertile CM at the cervix itself even if you are no longer getting any noticeable EWCM. So until you get your sustained temp shift after your +OPK I think it is best to still assume you could be fertile.

[halifax40]

Just for info re sperm and abstaining, a couple of interesting articles:


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/lif...cle2665788.ece

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/ju...on.sciencenews

[Court]

Thanks for the responses, my husband really likes the idea of not having to abstain for 4 days prior. It does make sense to try and get as much up there as possible prior to ovulation. I guess I was just having a hard time believing that they would live for 3 days...especially since we might possibly have sperm issues. Those articles were really interesting, btw. Anyways, thanks for helping me sort it out. I feel like I have a better plan for this month....