Sperm analysis results query

[Christhemoose]

Semen analysis results reported that DP's volume was 0.6 which is very low. The rest of the results were fine and the Dr wasn't bothered. I'm a bit worried as we've been trying with no luck for two years now. Has anyone else had experience of this?

[victoria401]

Hi, I didn't just want to read and run! Is this your hubby's first test? They usually recommend 2 to compare. Plus have you had fertility tests done too? Bloods, ultrasound? If you have been ttc for 2 years you have a right to be referred to a fertility clinic. Don't be fobbed off by your GP, maybe see a different one? I can't rememeber what a normal volume is for sperm but count, motility and morphology are the most important bits as you need lots of normal looking ones moving in a forwards direction!

Pop onto my thread if you want some support hun...

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/2306360-TTC-10-months-plus-supporting-each-other-and-staying-positive-Another-BFP-one-of-course?pg=4

[lildottie]

my dh got less volume than usual doing it into a cup at our ivf due to the wring positioning! it could be something simple like that, but Vic is right, you need 2 tests as sa's can vary so much. and yes to you needing to be tested.

[Shellster52]

My husband says he produces much more volume when he 'works things up' for a while before ejaculating. So perhaps your husband was just under a bit of pressure to produce something into a cup and not quite focused on enjoying himself to get a good load of semen into the urethra to mix with the sperm for ejaculation. The semen is just a whitish fluid that gets mixed with the sperm before it comes out. It is the sperm itself that is important. So as long as the count, motility and morphology were all fine, then that is the main thing as far as my knowledge goes.

Two years is such a long time to be trying without success. I can understand how frustrated you must be. I am coming up to 4 years of trying. Have you got any more appointments to continue following things up? I hope you get some answers.

[Christhemoose]

Thanks very much for your replies ladies. I've had some tests (bloods, all normal) but am waiting for another one now. I was wondering about asking for a second semen analysis but didn't want to look like we were doubting the doctor's opinion. It's all a bit of a waiting game I suppose but I don't want to wait around for my test only to be told after that that DP needs another sperm test. I think we might need to be more assertive!

[Shellster52]

I am in Australia so not familiar with the NHS system, but we had to wait 3 months between semen analysis tests and so has another womans partner on here that I chat too. But certainly no harm to ask the question as from chatting to others on here, the NHS system does sound frustratingly slow.

[victoria401]

Chris the doc usually only recommends a 2nd test for comparison if the 1st test is not great. Maybe there were good sperm in that sample even if the volume was low (maybe from added pressure or not collecting it all?)

If your bloods are ok they still need to send you for other tests or refer you to a clinic. Even if you are unexplained, something is wrong after 2 years trying. What I did was Google referral guidelines for my city and I found GP referral criteria for referring couples to a clinic. See if you qualify with regards to your ages, weight, time trying, tests done etc and quote this stuff to the GP! If they don't deal with fertility issues on a regular basis they can't possibly remember everything! Keep pushing. Don't be Brutish about it best of luck x

[victoria401]

Oh and yes it takes a couple of months for sperm to totally refresh in his body so there is a gap between tests to show that. So if your dp had an illness or boozey weekend his sperm would reflect that 3 months later! Same goes for if you put him on a diet and vits, it would take a few months before you saw improvements. Its a long old waiting game.