0.5% Morphology - advice

[Morpho123]

Hi All

im new here, we have been TTC for just over a year.
Iv had day 21 bloods and all come back fine, I also do BBT and confirm ovulation with temps.

My husband had his SA results which were good and bad!
Sperm count 157 million! - that's so high isn't it!?
Motility - if I can remember correctly was about 50% - again good results
but morphology was 0.5%

We were advised vitamins, so he is on Wellman, Vitamin E and Vitamin C.

has anyone got any success stories with such a low morphology? because his sperm count is so high, im really hopeful!

Our doctor has referred us, but in my local area we don't get offered any rounds of IVF, so it would be self funded. - were still trying to be positive that we can change the morphology.

Some positive stories are welcomed! and obviously any advise/help greatly appreciated.

thank you x

[JandL2020]

My other half has had 2 SA done. One was high count and low morphology (2%) and the second was lower than normal count and normal morphology (4%). My consultant recommended proxeed plus supplement. I’m in the same situation as you no IVF funding at all. I would give it a few months and get re tested and keep trying naturally X

[itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted]

I'd put him on Proceive Max for men as that had much higher concentrations and "stuff" in it - it's expensive but buy from boots when they have a points offer on

[JandL2020]

Is that in sachets? My other half can’t swallow tablets? X

[Morpho123]

Hi I’ll have a look! Thank you
Have you had any luck with this? I don’t know if he would drink these sachets but I’ll have a look and see what he thinks! X

[Frazzlerock]

DP's morphology was 2% last time it was checked, but like your DH high sperm count and motility. After he did a lot of research online he's been taking Proceive for men, Vit d, Vit C, Lycopene, Vit E, Co-enzyme Q10, and L-carnitine (all of which can be found in H&B or Boots I believe), and I am now 6 weeks pregnant after a loooong year of TTC following a MMC (our third MC).

[Morpho123]

Thank you @Frazzlerock and a huge congratulations! And sorry to hear of three MCs
Currently he is only taking wellman, vitamin c with zinc and vit e. I may have to get him on the same as what you did! It seems like such a long road, we’re both nearly 32 as well so I feel like time will pass us by if we don’t sort this ASAP! He was told to lose weight as well which he has been doing but he isn’t actually big at all! His in the normal bmi now of 24! X

[Frazzlerock]

Well @Morpho123 we are bother 40 now so time is well and truly passing us by (fertility wise!)

Best of luck!

[FabLaura]

Sorry to hear you are having problems ttc. I thought I would reply as we are the good news you are searching for. We tried to conceive for 4-5 years (I was 30, DH 35). After 2 years we went to the GP who referred us for the tests you are having now. Mine all came back as normal but DH was told his sperm count was 150,000 per millilitres (normal is 15 million per millilitres) also the ones he had were nearly all deformed with 2 heads/ 2 tails or no head/tail. This sounds a disaster but we are the lucky ones as men are easy to fix! The doctors were super optimistic and you should be too. We were told to go straight for ISIC as they literally get DH sperm, choose the best one and stuff it into your egg. IVF is different as you may know. I made sure I was a healthy BMI (DH is 20+ stone & 6 foot 4) so not in a healthy BMI. He did not change his eating habit but doesn't drink alcohol anyway. ICIS worked first time and we have a healthy 1 year old with a healthy pregnancy as there was nothing wrong with me.
When I was in your shoes, I was super inpatient and frustrated but the good news is a diagnosis is SO much better than unexplained or something wrong with the female (as we're harder to fix). I used our diagnosis to research clinics that specialised in the man so could choose the right one (again something you can't do if you are unexplained). Good luck with it all

[Morpho123]

Hi @FabLaura that’s really positive and made me feel so much better thank you!
Thankfully he is changing his eating habits which is good, again he is 6.4 too and weighed just over 15 stone so was just classed as overweight. His down to 14.5 so in getting on the right side of bmi which is positive! I think with 0.5% and that high a sperm count there should be a fair few of normal sperm, just depends if they make it doesn’t it!
I think ICSI is the route we will go down because of the morphology! Thank you for your message though. we have our first appointment 31st December which I’m really excited for to get this ball rolling! Xxx

[FabLaura]

Good luck with it all and what a way to start the new year off! I'm pleased to hear your partner is trying to be as healthy as possible, it helps mentally that you're both on the same train. Sending you baby dust xxx

[FabLaura]

Ah a top tip which helped me is; always have a date in the calendar for the next step. I made sure I was always clear on what would happen next and booked the appointment. Sometimes in was months away but it really helped me to know things were moving.

[JoJoSM2]

DH had poor morphology, count and motility both higher than yours. We had a child through ICSI. I also finally got naturally pregnant after about 5-6 years of not using contraception and had an early miscarriage. I remember a guy from another forum - also awful morphology but his count was 500million with excellent motility. Finally got pregnant after 2 years of TTC.
See if the supplemts help. If his lifestyle and diet have been bad, than there’s a chance the parameters will improve.

[JandL2020]

I’m not sure if the proxeed is working yet will probably re test SA in February. It tastes disgusting - I mix it with fresh orange juice 200ml and he doesn’t mind that :)

[UnaOfStormhold]

How long before the test did he ejaculate? As I understand it the longer elapses the more sperm present but the older they get and so morphology would tend to deteriorate. Still, 700,000 viable every time is pretty promising!

[Morpho123]

@UnaOfStormhold well actually the hospital from us is around 45 mins away, so it really would have been maybe 50-55 mins til he got the sample there! Iv never heard that it deteriorates though! Also 700,000 Iv never thought of it like that, and yes that’s still a lot of good sperm isn’t it! But so many get lost and don’t make it don’t they! I heard only really a really small amount are still alive waiting for the egg because a lot don’t make the journey! I feel sorry for them lol!!

I’m hoping for the best and trying every month!! Xx

[UnaOfStormhold]

I meant how long between the sample and the previous ejaculation as it does deteriorate over time.

[Morpho123]

@UnaOfStormhold oh sorry I didn’t read it properly. Pre was a Friday and sample Monday xx

[Sshsecretenclosed]

I feel like I should join this thread. All my bloods have come back 'normal' except under active thyroid now being treated daily. DH also now being treated for under active thyroid too (what a pair!).
His SA has come back with good count (107,000000) but 2.5% morphology so they want to repeat test. Three day abstinence before. Right, what I vits etc can I put him on?? Is all lost?!?!

[Morpho123]

@Sshsecretenclosed well 2.5 isn’t that bad! Is he taking any vitamins and is he a healthy bmi? My husband has 0.5% so his on wellman, vitamin c, zinc and vitamin e.
I’m seeing a consultant New Year’s Eve so I will ask about vitamins etc and report back xx

[Sshsecretenclosed]

@Morpho123 thanks. I'd really appreciate that. His BMI is obese but you wouldn't know it to look at him
He's not on any vitamins. Any you recommend?? I want to get him started now

[Morpho123]

@Sshsecretenclosed my husband is the same, classed as overweight but actually his so tall he is actually slim, but his lost 6lbs in the last 3 weeks which now his a healthy bmi.

Start him on wellman conception with additional vitamin c and e. Sperm takes 3 months to refresh completely though but defo start them now.
How long have you been ttc? Xx

[Sshsecretenclosed]

@Morpho123 nearly three years since I came off the pill. Feel devastated really. Just keep thinking we'll never conceive and the cost of IVF/ICSI is overwhelming too.

[ckc45d10]

CoQ10 is another one there is research on for sperm support (water and fat-soluble CoQ10 absorbs better). Good luck!!

[Jinglejanglescarecrows]

My exhusband had low everything and we were told icsi was our only option. He dramatically changed his diet. We brought all the ingredients from the Zita west fertility diet and incorporated them in our diet. He took lots of fertilaid suppliments too. Stopped wearing boxers, stopped cycling, stopped carrying his phone in his pocket. Basically everything they tell you to do if you read about it online.
It worked and DS is now 3, and we had another one pretty much straight after with no issues at all.

[Morpho123]

But has anyone fallen pregnant naturally with low morphology? I’m just still on that hope zone that we might...? Or should I be realistic here... x