Just discovered low sperm count

[hippyhen]

We found out this morning that my husband has a low sperm count - 2%, although I can't remember which figure that was. The movement was good (motability?) but there were too few to assess the health of them otherwise. I've spent a lot of time trying to make him feel better about it, but just now I read the figures for successful IVF (which I suppose is what we will need) and it sounds really very sobering. It looks as though we may very likely not have a child at this rate. I'd love to hear from others with any advice or similar experience.

You must be feeling very shocked at the moment. Be kind to your Dh - it's a big blow for him.

Dh has low count, poor motility and morphology... Triple whammy!

We were told that ICSI was the only way forward for us. After 2 and a half years ttc, I found out I was pregnant naturally (the month before we were due to start IVF).

We followed a book called "Natural Solutions to Infertility" by Dr Marilyn Glenville.

We both gave up alcohol, red meat, aspartame, cow dairy, caffeine, processed foods etc. and we started having acupuncture. We also took lots of vitamins.

Good luck.

Thanks very much for that Littlefish. Fortunately we have a friend visiting and he's busy entertaining. I'm really glad of the timing. I will look into the book you mention, thank you.

Hi hippy,

I totally understand what you're going through. I have PCOS and we were referred to a fertility consultant to get help. Had to have various tests and DH SA too - then waited months to get seen. Was all set to be given clomid, and wasn't prepared to be told DH's sperm wasn't normal.

He has poor volume and count (this should be over 20 million per something, and his was 10 million, so not terrible terrible but pretty poor). His had good motility but poor morphology ( this was a percentage figure, but can't remember what).

It was such a shock and takes time to get your head round. We so often assume that us women are the problem (well, I am as well!!) but actually 50% of the time the men are also contributing to not conceiving.

Make sure you talk about it when he's able to and reassure him. I asked my DH if he felt less of a man and he said no, just he was really bemused, cos he has always been so healthy.

As he keeps saying, it only takes one!! We are going to try clomid for 6 cycles, as we know I'm not ovulating. So trying to keep it natural for a bit. I'm 29, so got a bit of time.

Was it just the GP that told you the news? Are you going privately or can you be seen NHS?

Our consultant told us that if clomid didn't work, there were 3 levels of assisted conception. Which level is needed depends on the quality and quantity of sperm. What they do is "prepare" the sperm and see how much is useful. So he described it as putting the sample of sperm (DH would jizz in a cup!) through an assault course. Depending on how much reached the end of the assault course would determine which treatment was needed.

So - level 1 is IUI - when the sperm is put inside you and left it make it's way to the egg. Would need a reasonable amount of sperm for this, I think.

Level 2 is IVF - sperm is put in a petri dish with the eggs and you watch to see them get across to the eggs and fertilise them.

Level 3 is ICSI - when you only need one sperm and it is directly injected into the egg to fertilise it.

The stats are sobering, you're right. But so many women go through IVF and are successful. That is what I keep holding onto.

Good luck x

Good post Miffles.

Even if you do go for IVF, I would really recommend looking at your diet and lifestyle before you start. Make sure you (and dh) are in the best possible condition!

The book I read explains that sperm production takes 3 months and that during that time, even one night of binge drinking can seriously affect sperm quality.

Diet and lifestyle changes are bloody hard work at the time, but can be so, so, so worth it in the long run

Littlefish, it's so sweet and encouraging to read your last line :) I don't drink, DH drinks very little (and hasn't binged for about 10 years), and neither of us has ever smoked. We eat a lot of veg, we're both slim and fairly active. I guess nobody's perfect healthwise, but there are no really obvious things to "fix". A test showed I am ovulating. The count was very low so I have a feeling it will be ICSI, but we haven't seen anyone other than the GP yet. We have the funds to go private if necessary but I'll see what the wait is like first, since you can't spend it twice and I have a feeling we may want all the pennies we can find by the time we're through.

I feel a lot more sane and balanced about it now. Thank you very much your post Miffles, and I hope you have good news soon :)

Just to add, that as well as us conceiving naturally, having been told we would have to have ICSI, I know another couple who had their first child by ICSI and then went on to conceive naturally.

Remember to look after your emotional health as well. TTC with assisted conception is hard work. We tried to make every appointment as pleasant as possible by always going out to lunch, for a long walk, or a drink somewhere after our appointments so that we would have some time to ourselves to take in everything we were told.

That's a very good plan. The walk might suit us better - we went for a pizza after the appointment with the GP but found we felt a bit uncomfortable talking there :)

Hippy Marion glenville suggests taking zinc, selenium ace and essential fatty acids to boost the sperm - if that helps :) cant hurt to try :)

good luck x