Dh's SA results = 0% sperm mophology - will IVF be likely?

[Raven83]

Got dh's SA results in last week; everything within normal range apart from sperm morphology, which was 0%. We've been referred to fertility clinic, just waiting for letter.

From what I've read online, it is possible to conceive naturally but very difficult, and our likely option will be IVF. We can try and improve dh's morphology with lifestyle changes, so I've stocked up on selenium&zinc, COQ-10, royal jelly, pycnogel...

My question is, what can we expect from this appointment (other than further sa for my dh)?

What else can we do to improve sperm?

What questions should we take along to first appointment?

Is IVF the most likely outcome here?

I'm freaking out slightly so any advice, words if wisdom, success stories etc will be gratefully received - thank you!

[itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted]

If it's the NHS they may steer you down the donor route as the NHS tends to take the quickest cheapest option. Privately clinics may want to do further investigations eg sperm fragmentation tests for which there is medication they can offer to help improve things. Bear in mind that sperm takes 90 days to mature so any improvement won't be seen until then. There is also surgical sperm extraction. Obviously any IVF would be ICSI which is a bit more expensive

I would also try Proceive Max for men - I took the female version after a failed cycle of IVF showed poorer than expected egg quality and noticed really good improvement after about 6 weeks

Is he on any medication? My DH has poor morphology due to being on anti depressants (this was a few years ago when we were struggling ttc) - 6 months after he came off them we got pregnant naturally

[Raven83]

Thanks for your reply. I'm assuming you mean donor sperm route?

He's not on any medication, no, but I am wondering if his weight is playing a role as he has a very high BMI (being quite stocky and muscly rather than having a lot of excess body fat) and he does cycle every day...

I've read different opinions on cycling online, is that something that will ave to go for now?

[itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted]

Sorry yes donor sperm.....
The BMI is definitely going to cause a problem - some strict NHS areas have a BMI limit for men as well as women above which they won't treat you
The cycling might have to go on the back burner.....all that Lycra and "squishing" may not be helping - is he committed to all the lifestyle changes to see if he can make any improvement?

[Raven83]

OK, that's good to know re the BMI limit, sounds like we may need to make some serious adjustments to our eating habits (they're not awful, but he does like quite large portion sizes). My BMI's in the normal range.

He's sounding slightly reluctant about certain things (like cycling) because he wants to understand the science behind the advice rather than just accepting my usual response of "I read it online somewhere". He was a bit overwhelmed when I presented him with a large stash of vitamins but he's been reading up on it and is happy to take them all.

Thanks for your advice, I really appreciate it

[changechange]

Are you in the U.K.? Maybe consider a private appointment with Jonathan Ramsey in London? He's a world specialist in sperm

[Raven83]

Yes, we're in London - and that name does ring a bell from my general internet research - thanks!

[GenevaMaybe]

My husband had 0% morphology and low motility. We had IVF with ICSI and we’re successful first time.

[Raven83]

Congratulations @GenevaMaybe, that's wonderful news! And very encouraging to hear

[GenevaMaybe]

it was with jaya parikh at the lister, highly recommended

[Whatelsecouldibecalled]

@Raven83 it’s likely you will need ICSI rather than ivf. ICSI they choose the best sperm and inject it into the egg to fertilise it.

Check out your local ccg to see what the deal with funding is. You may get 1 round nhs funding. Don’t let them push you down the donor route too soon.

My DH had poor morphology (1%) and he wore loose fitting boxers high dose vitamin c coq10 tablets and wellman tablets and it improve to 3% before we had ICSI.

[Raven83]

Thanks for your replies, definitely helps me to feel less alone! Yes, from what I've read, ICSI looks like the most likely option. Not sure donor sperm is really for us, but we'll see what happens in the next few appointments

[MrFlibblesEyes]

My husbands first test came back as 0% normal morphology. Sperm morphology can be greatly affected by numerous things such as lifestyle and even bouts of illness and stress can be detrimental. He was told to take proxeed plus for 3 months before a retest and if there was no improvement then the gp would refer us- probably for icsi. It takes 3 months to manufacture sperm from scratch to maturity so there is a chance with recommended changes things could improve somewhat. DH never made it to the retest as I fell naturally pregnant two months later (a year and a half after starting Ttc) Don't lose hope x

[MrFlibblesEyes]

He also stopped the hardcore long distance cycling as hot balls are not good for sperm manufacturing!

[Raven83]

Thanks @MrFlibblesEyes, and that's great to hear you fell naturally! GP has automatically referred us to a fertility clinic already on seeing the results their end, just not sure what to expect at all.

I managed to convince dh I'd be the one having problems (had surgery for an early ovarian cancer years ago, one ovary removed, no chemo) as I'm convinced my fallopian tube is damaged from the biopsy, so he was so shocked when the results came through and it turned out his sperm wasn't optimal.

He also has a very long cycle coming up and I'm trying to gently suggest he may need to put cycling on hold for a while after that (that's gonna be a tough one for him).