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Conception

anyone used home sperm tests?

12 replies

twoplease · 03/12/2008 20:22

hi, just getting started on why it might be taking us a while to get pregnant second time round and saw that you can buy home sperm tests. any thoughts? will it give us an idea whether dh's swimmers are good or not or should i save my cash?

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saveme · 03/12/2008 20:25

Yes we used one - it said DH's swimmers were ok and then he had a test at the docs that said they were also ok.

But...don't know what the result would be if they weren't...

I know this is a bit unethical but if you're really concerned I would go straight to the Docs and claim you have been trying for 18 months plus as the hospital tests are far, far more sophisticated.

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saveme · 03/12/2008 20:26

Just wanted to add that the day we got the hospital sperm test results was also the day I got my BFP

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georgimama · 03/12/2008 20:27

Yes, DH and I have used one. It was both helpful and unhelpful. All it will tell you is whether the quality and quantity of the sample is at or below the average "norm". It won't tell you what the problem is if it is below and it won't give you any numbers on sperm count, motility etc and that is what you really need to know if there is a problem.

It was unhelpful for those reasons, because once DH had taken the test and we sat in our bathroom with the result that his swimmers were not up to scratch, he was devastated and we had no idea what the problem was. It was helpful because it made DH accept that we needed professional help, and got proper diagnostic tests for him and me (and a BFP three months later!)

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ChukkyPig · 03/12/2008 20:35

We used the his n hers a while back. I was getting on a bit and he had mumps when he was 18 so we just wanted reassurance.

We didn't have any real concerns though - we hadn't started trying yet or anything. If you have real concerns the doc tests are prob better - the shop one might leave more questions than it answers...

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twoplease · 03/12/2008 20:51

thanks - i have gone to docs and getting blood tests done but i think there is a bit of a waiting list for blokes - just thinking this might be something to try first - dh aleady said that if it suggests something might be wrong, he'll go and get it all checked properly.

we are trying for #2 - anyone know if quality of swimmers can decline?(its 4 years since #1)

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ChukkyPig · 03/12/2008 21:03

I think with men it's a gradual decline with age rather than the steeper decline women get.

All I can think of is:

No smoking
No booze
Plenty of fruit n veg
Loose pants (hope your DH isn't a goth!)
Um... someone said something about bananas i think...erm...early nights?...

Is DH on the waiting list? Or does he want to see what the home thingy says first?

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georgimama · 03/12/2008 21:03

Yes they can, balls are terribly sensitive and diet, lack of exercise, stress and alcohol intake all play a huge part. Luckily if that is the cause much can be done (I recommend wellman supplements - men need zinc and other vitamins to make good sperm). Our consultant told us the production lifecycle of sperm was three months.

There isn't a great deal of point just investigating you - even if you have separate problems (I have PCOS) addressing those isn't going to help if DH also has probs. Can you go private? All our tests (full sperm count/motility, blood tests for both, cervical mucus testing and post-coital testing - yuk), drugs for me and 2 x hour long appointments with the God of fertility medicine in Bristol cost £500. I think it was worth it.

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twoplease · 03/12/2008 21:13

thanks for the tips guys - its ok chukkypig - dh wears boxers and is most def not a goth!!

georgimama - i agree £500 seems ok - to be honest, we are just beginning to think about what to do - we've only been trying for 10 months so am just investigating next steps really - think we will try a home test and see what my bloods come back as and then reassess if nothing happening.

georgiemama - did your tests help you get your bfp?

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ChukkyPig · 03/12/2008 21:16

Phew re your DH underpant situation!

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georgimama · 03/12/2008 21:33

Yes, because they diagnosed that DH had reduced motility in his sperm and needed to take supplements, cut out booze (he was by no means an alkie but we did and do like a drink) and exercise more. Also identified that I have PCOS and needed to take Metformin to regulate ovulation. Three months of that lot, and despte consultant telling us we had less than 5% chance of conceiving naturally, I was pg in three months.

We'd been trying nearly 15 months when we went to consultant (private referral from GP). I really don't think we would ever have had DS if we hadn't done all this. Interestingly SIL's sister had a MC just before I got PG and couldn't conceive again, I was convinced she had PCOS and suggested she ask for Metformin. Her GP said she didn't have PCOS but it wouldn't do any harm. She had her daughter less than a year later.

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twoplease · 03/12/2008 21:43

what a positive story georgimama - i'm so pleased it worked for you.

my dh barely drinks but does struggle to eat fruit and veg so i've got him started on wellman vits - i really don't think the prob if there is one, is down to him but got to rule it out!!

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TTC05 · 06/12/2008 10:30

No, home sperm tests are not accurate. They can either worry you unnecessarily or give you a false sense of security. They generally only tell you if the count is either above or below 20mill. They dont tell you anything about whether these sperm are dead/alive/well shaped and motile or any of that good stuff. Best to get it done properly, either through NHS or privately. Best of luck

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