Poor morphology

[Lynsy]

Hi

I am just after any advice really, my dp has good sperm count, and motility but poor morphology (6%), he takes zinc and vitimin C supplements and I have recently order some other vitmins with flaxseed oil in that were reccommended, but would really appreciate any other useful advice, like how often to bd etc.

Many Thanks
x

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Lynsy

Poor morphology is not going to be solved by taking such supplements. Sperms are complicated things and there is much about them that is not fully understood.

Would suggest you have sex throughout the month when you both feel like it; do not put pressure on each other by having timed intercourse.

How many semen analyses have been done to date; such tests should be repeated regularly. Has your man seen a urologist to ensure there is no physical problem like a varicocele?.

[SheherazadetheGoat]

what attila said. plus if your dh does have a second test it should be a good 6 months after first for it to be meaningful. apparently if you have an illness it can affect sperm up to 3 months later.

dh had a poor result twice (taken in 2 week interval) but 6 months later it was much better.

i am now dying to google varicocele but am at work and worried about what might come up!

[Lynsy]

My dp had a varicocele removed at the end of last year and we are currently awaiting the results of his second semen analysis, like I said his count, volume and motility came back fine on the last one, so hoping that his morphologhy might have improved slightly since the last one. Just didn't know if there was anything we could be doing or shouldn't be doing,and wasn't sure how much this would effect our chances of getting pregnant, we have already been trying 8 months.x

[helenlouisey]

Hi Lynsy - my husband also had poor morphology (I think about 10%)I did a lot of research when my husbands results came back, as his count and motility were both excellent, and from what I read poor morphology seems to be the least predictable numbers in the semen analysis and little value in predicting whether there was a problem with a man's ability to get a lady pregnant. Have a look at this blog, written by one of the top fetility doctors in the US, he doesn't think morphology is an issue at all infertilityblog.blogspot.com/ You'll need to do a search for morphology on the site.

Also just to reassure you, our fertility problems turned out to be me suffering from endometriosis, and we got pregnant the first month we tried after I'd had laser treatment to remove it. We were very lucky, but also shows you that my husbands poor morphology wasn't a problem at all.

Good luck

[mummy2olivia]

I know lots of people that have got pregnant with morphology well below 10%. Myself included!

Morphology is the most affected part of sperm function.

[Lynsy]

Thanks very much for your replies, nice to hear from people that have the same problem and gone all to fall pregnant. Was a bit of shock as GP had told us that dp results were fine and when we went to see the gyne he read them and told us differently. Fingers crossed the results of the next one will be slightly improved.x

[Lynsy]

Finaly got the result of dp second semen and result are even worse, not sure of the exacts as waiting to see a copy of the results, but I think they are along the lines of 2% morphology and 4% motility, sperm count fine. I just don't understand it, like I said before dp had a varicocele removed before christmas, and had a routine post op sperm test done at 3 months showing, motility and count fine, but morphology was low 6%, so really expected that would have been improved with time, but this wasn't to be the case and jus don't understand why we have gone from something that looked ok, to now the complete opposite, dp rarely drinks, has cut out caffeine, take supplements and is also having accupunture, to say I am gutted is an understatment, have a docs appointment on wednesday, but does this mean our only way forward now is some form of assisted conception?
x

[Lynsy]

bump

[Lynsy]

bump again

[ally2104]

Hi Lynsy,
I'm so sorry you are going through this- we had the exact same problem. My DH has had numerous semen tests done, and his best result was 8%, while his poorest was 2%, like your DH. My DH's problems are a combination of an undescended testicle as a child, (which was treated way too late), and 'unknown' genetic reasons, (his brother has the same problem).
You may well need to go down the IVF route, possibly with ICSI, (where they inject the sperm directly into the egg), but your doctor will advise. Have you had any tests done yourself? I ask this simply because they will want to rule out the possibility of you having any probs too before they start.
In terms of supplements etc, it is true there's not much you can do, but my Dh tried cutting down on fags, booze, eating healthily etc, also taking zinc, vit c, pycnogenol and Zita West Vita Men, which is an all purpose fertility supplement for men, (you can get a ladies one too). His morphology did improve a bit, but more importantly, all these lifestyle changes would have hopefully helped with the quality of the 'good' sperm that he did have, which is vital in IVF/ICSI,
Anyway, sorry for the essay, just wanted to let you know you are not alone! And hopefully my story will inspire you, as I am now 16 weeks pregnant after our second round of ICSI.
Lots of luck and love, and please ask if there's anything else you want to know about IVF.
Ally x

[ally2104]

Forgot to add- don't give up on trying naturally!! Even my fertiity consultant used to say, "it only takes one, and miracles happen every day!!" Even 2% normal is a good few; I still have a little dream about conceiving the next one au naturel.....
x

[downbutnotout]

Hi - dh has less than half the sperm he should, 20% motility and 1% normal morphology. He is 42 and drinks and smokes a little bit more than moderately (I am 38 and a bit more clean-living!). I am thirteen weeks pg - we conceived naturally. I hope all of these facts help to give you some hope that you might yet achieve conception on your own and it certainly sounds as if you are doing everything to help yourselves. I also know of someone who got a result with ICSI after seven years of trying , so don't give up yet.

[Lynsy]

Hi Ally

Thanks so much for your response and congrarulations always lovely to hear such hopeful stories. I have had the routine day 3 and day 21 blood test done which have all come back fine, and am due to have a laparoscopy done at the end of september. It just came as such a shock as his first sample back in April came back fine except for morphology so really wasn't expecting the result we got yesterday and becaue this was all done over the phone, just feel like we have been left in situation of uncertainty, feeling hopeless about the whole thing and not sure what will happen from here, never expected we would have to go down the rollercoaster of assisted conception, but then who does. Think once we have spoken to our GP on wednesday things might seem a bit clearer and can then start to face up to what we might need to do.

Thanks again.
xxxx

[Lynsy]

thanks also downbutnotout - congratulations to you too, your stories have given me hope, and we will continue our efforts to try and concieve naturally, just wish somebody could tell me how long it will take, as the disappointment every month doesn't get any easier.x

[ally2104]

Stick with it and keep the faith- I know it sounds easy for me to say it now, but we were trying for nearly 4 years in total and we got there in the end!! Not saying it will take anything like that long for you of course!!
Have got everything crossed for you.
A x