Anyone good a reading semen results?

[Maybe2014]

Anyone able to help interpret the results if I were to share them? Our GP didn't really explain them and will be months til we get app at fertility clinic...

[McPhee]

Is it like the football results?

I can do that!

[pocopearl]

Share hun can help

[Maybe2014]

Thanks popcopearl! GP offered no advise really other than ICSI was probably the only option.. man has gone into meltdown he thinks we have no hope :-( I'm not ready to give up yet... And ovulating!

[Maybe2014]

Ah don't think you can see that.. I'll type them out..

[Maybe2014]

Volume 3.3
Concentration 1.8
Total number 5.8
Non sperm cells 0.11
Rapid progressive motility 13 %
sluggish progressive motility 8%
Non progressive motility 6%
Immotile 73%
Morphology 1 %

[eurochick]

OK, I'm not a dr but have been through the fertility mill so I will say what I can.

The good news is that there are live sperm there (it only takes one and all that). The bad news is that most of the parameters are below normal. The volume is ok, but the sperm count (total number of swimmers in the sample), motility (swimming ability) and morphology (how many look like normal sperm should) are all below the lab's reference levels. I suspect your partner will be asked to repeat the sample. If it stays the same, you might be referred for IUI or IVF with ICSI.

Is he doing everything he should to optimise conditions for his swimmers? Good diet, low alcohol, no smoking, exercise, loose pants, no laptop on lap and so on? Some people seem to have had good results with certain vits and supplements. Swimmers take 90 days to renew, so if he starts now (assuming he is not doing all of this already) by the time of the retest any effects should be noticeable if your next appt is a few months away.

[Maybe2014]

Thanks eurochick, this is his second sample and it's much the same as the first. He's never smoked, hardly drinks, exercises etc (I'm the one with the bad habits!) we've both been taking the wellman/woman vits so I'm guessing these are the best results we'll get?! Thanks for your feedback Hun x

[Turquoisetamborine]

I'm no expert but going through the ivf mill.

My husbands first test was something like 15 million, not that good. Through lifestyle changes the last sample increased to 44 million. To do this he is avoiding stress, no laptop on his knee, drinking plenty water, eating well, exercise and taking Zita West supplements.

Best of luck xx

[Maybe2014]

I've actually just bought the Zita West book! I'm trying to find a fertility book for him so I's not me nagging him to change his (already pretty good) lifestyle.. Has anyone found a good 'man fertility book'?

Good luck with your IVF hope it's all going ok xx

[Bumblebee85]

Hi maybe2014
I'm in andrology and eurochick has explained it correctly there. It is a fair bit below an average sample, but there are swimming sperm there. GPs don't generally know all that much about interpreting a semen analysis result in detail as it's not necessarily a speciality of theirs, but they are correct in your case saying ICSI is probably the way forward for you...however trying naturally whilst you waited certainly can't do any harm-your chances of conceiving naturally will be lower because the parameters are below average, but the only way it's zero chance is if there are no sperm there at all OR if you don't have sex!

Good luck with everything :)

[Bumblebee85]

Oh and make sure he ejaculates fairly regularly too- 'saving' it up when the proportion of immotile, and therefore possibly dead sperm, is higher won't do the living ones any favours. The world health organisation recommends 2-7days between ejaculations; too often also isn't good. The general rule of thumb is masturbation/intercourse every second or third day should yield the best sperm quality.

[naty1]

We've had successful icsi with only 0.5mil so its possible.
We saw no improvement with wellman but maybe it helped quality.
He has had another test now 4 years later and still the same

[Maybe2014]

Thanks bumblebee85 and naty1. naty1 if you don't mind me asking, we're you successful first go ICSI? We were referred to the IVF clinic in November but still haven't had a first appointment or had me checked out yet we know it's a long process but feels like it could take years. I've been telling spouse he might want to relive himself every couple of days when were not at it, he thinks It'll make no difference, feels a bit weird encouraging your man to masterbate more often!!

[victoria401]

Hi ladies, just poking my nose in here just in case! Should be getting my hubby's sperm results tomorrow and I'm anxious. We've been ttc 18months now and I've been given the all clear so it surely must be him. I've been trying to make him healthier but he's not into it, frustrates me that he's not putting in the effort I am. He never exercises, is on the border between overweight and obese, smoked since he was about 12 and thinks changing to e-cigs back at Xmas is satisfactory. I've tried cooking diet meals but then he scoffs desserts and has the occasional fry up with the lads at work! I despair of him sometimes!

Sorry just needed to vent!

[Maybe2014]

Hi victoria401
It's probably well worth you getting him tested too, we like you been actively trying for 18 months with no joy, I'd assumed the problem was with me until we got his semen results. The only tests I've had done were blood to check I ovulate, smear and std check which were all ok. I'm still waiting for visit to the IVF clinic for my tube tests etc. now my man knows he's got a problem he's vowed to cut down on coffee/booze take his vits but I'm sure it'll all creep back in soon!
Hopefully not, but if your man got tested and the results weren't great he might try and make some changes too? But rant away lovely this has been the most miserable 18months I don't know how people TTC stay sane! :-) xx

[Maybe2014]

Sorry I missed that you get your results tomorrow I've got a stupid phone.. Good luck I hope they are ok!!! Xx

[naty1]

Yes we were successful 1st go
Though second was not
Goes to show it can just be luck :(
Victoria sounds a lot like mine
Bmi 30
Scoffs cakes, cheese, anything
Never exercises

(But no smoking ever)
Yours stopping could have made a big difference you just dont know

It may be neither of you about 1/3 are unexplained.

I think men are harder to change, i did lots myself but couldnt change him.

Good luck.
There are pros and cons
Pro if you get diagnosed you can possibly fast track to ivf, otherwise they may suggest trying longer. I have seen 3 yrs before referral whereas i had DD by 3yrs ttc. (Whilst other friends were onto no 2)
Con
Feeling theres no point trying naturally, before and around ivf cycles. Which would seem more worthwhile if unexplained.
When ttc#2 we have gone straight back to ivf but again no guarantee of success. In some ways that is better than secondary infertility because at least i knew there is an issue so have a chance at planning a gap between kids. But as this will be last go most likely will just be happy (very happy) with DD

[naty1]

Yes we were successful 1st go
Though second was not
Goes to show it can just be luck :(
Victoria sounds a lot like mine
Bmi 30
Scoffs cakes, cheese, anything
Never exercises

(But no smoking ever)
Yours stopping could have made a big difference you just dont know

It may be neither of you about 1/3 are unexplained.

I think men are harder to change, i did lots myself but couldnt change him.

Good luck.
There are pros and cons
Pro if you get diagnosed you can possibly fast track to ivf, otherwise they may suggest trying longer. I have seen 3 yrs before referral whereas i had DD by 3yrs ttc. (Whilst other friends were onto no 2)
Con
Feeling theres no point trying naturally, before and around ivf cycles. Which would seem more worthwhile if unexplained.
When ttc#2 we have gone straight back to ivf but again no guarantee of success. In some ways that is better than secondary infertility because at least i knew there is an issue so have a chance at planning a gap between kids. But as this will be last go most likely will just be happy (very happy) with DD

Good luck

[victoria401]

The GP said we'd get referred after 2 years no matter what the results were. We would need to get everything repeated again within 3 months of sending out the referral letter. Plus I'm 34 now and worrying about the dreaded 35!

Just sent dh a text reminding him to ask for a copy! Bet he forgets. Or they refuse him one, can they do that?!

We've been waiting months for this moment as first of all the GP 'forgot' to send his referral letter off to the clinic. So after waiting ages for a date he decided to call and there was no record of a referral! So he had to go on waiting list again! They said to call GP in 10 days for the result but they didn't have it and said try in another week, which we did. Still no result! Dh called the clinic direct yesterday who said they sent the result to the GP THE DAY AFTER THE TEST! So GP's had probably lost it. I'll be losing it too if he doesn't get the result today!

[Maybe2014]

Wow all sounds really familiar! Our GP forgot to refer us too! Good luck today! X

[victoria401]

Grrrrrrrr dh just called me on his lunch break. They wouldn't give him the results on the phone. He's booked to have a call from the doctor at 6pm TOMORROW! FFS! As if we havent waited long enough! Dh is convinced there must be something wrong if the doc needs to break it to him. How did you guys get the results?

[Maybe2014]

We had to make an appointment with the GP two weeks after the sample both times and both times we got to the GP she couldn't find them on the PC so he had to go back the week later to pick the paper results up from the reception was all very frustrating! Hope his results are ok. Xx

[naty1]

Dr appt.
I was there too.
As i already knew i had an issue his issue was a real surprise

[victoria401]

There is a bit of an issue. Picking up a copy of the results tomorrow so hopefully someone here can help! The doc just spoke to dh in some kind of layman speak instead of the nitty gritty!

[naty1]

Hopefully they will say do a retest as it could improve.