Antisperm antibodies

[chocciechip]

After 2yrs TTC and finally at door of IVF, just found out yesterday that DH has antisperm antibodies, making his sperm 'clump' together. This is a test not done as standard on the NHS until very last minute (i.e. in IVF process), so I am shattered that we wasted time chasing other things not knowing about this at all. We were also told it is extremely rare.

Does anyone have any experience of this, and know of any treatment - medical or alternative? I know IVF and/or IUI - maybe even ICSI - are probably on the cards, but looking to hear anything anyone can tell us about this condition, what you've learned and done to get through it.

Hi, thanks for all the information.
Dh already has some advice from consultant - fertility clinic, and have gone through their written info and advice and having seen a new fertility consultant today have ordered lots of extra supplements!!

New consultant looked at my results - said my LH is high and indicative of a polycystic disorder of some kind, but not PCOS! As well as dh antibody problem. She said his antibody problem at 30% alone meant we should have had a pregnancy at some point, so my high prolactin - which every dr ignored so far as not too high to treat but high enough to stop ovulation which is infuriatin - and LH level are possible issues.

Every dr says different things!! If I can tick all the boxes (consultant letter needed, ticked all others now) then we need ICSI - as the protocol prescribed will help with my issues as well as Dh's (so now I understand why that is what offered) ... and we will know if can meet all boxes needing ticked and can cycle (or not) in January/Feb! So really want to have body as good as it can be, and if no treatment then relying on it!

Hope all going well for you chocciex

Is there anybody still out there??? I can't find much about sperm antibodies apart from this old thred. I'm in the same boat! It's been 4 years of ttc, 1 failed ivf with Icsi and can't affored any more! 1 operation to remove a large cyst, Im now 41 and am trying clomid yuck! Did anyone ever get their happy ending??? Really need to know if there is still hope or if I need to try harder to accept it, I'm really staring to loose my mind, I'm just not half the person i was before we got on the ttc ghost train!

I was diagnosed with low sperm counts, anti-sperm antibodies at levels of 95% and have been trying for a baby with my wife for 4 years. Due to the presence of anti-sperm antibodies we were told ICSI was our best option of conception and that natural conception was unlikely. After first IVF failure, we tried natural ways to reduce anti-sperm antibodies. This included acupuncture, eating clean organic meats, and taking out any foods that could cause immunological reactions in my body after speaking to a nutritionist. This meant that my wife and I both cut out gluten, and I also cut out dairy from my diet.

Interestingly, on our second IVF in 4th year of infertility, I noticed a significant drop in my anti-sperm antibodies level to 50%. ICSI failed again and it was a difficult failure to handle. However, to our surprise my wife conceived naturally a couple of months after the failed ICSI, even though we were told it was impossible and unlikely we would have a natural pregnancy.

My advice is, don't wholeheartedly trust the doctors as unfortunately it is about money for them. This can bias their judgements. Also sperm results can vary over time and clinic so it is worth repeating over months or years.

I cannot say if our clean diet, high in organic meats and fish, cutting out gluten and dairy, my wife cutting down her commute to 10 minutes and a less stressful job change for me,... had an impact that can be scientifically proven. However, I think it helped as the doctors couldn't explain the anti-sperm antibody reduction from 95% to 50%.

Also never stop trying for a baby, and the less stressed you are the better. Finally, last but not least, I truly believe in God (as a Muslim) and we made lots of prayers for God to bless us with a child. As all hardships show, once you have been through them you get closer to God, and remember him more, and are grateful for everything in life - especially the pregnancy.

I hope this information will help someone one day, as having anti-sperm antibodies does not mean you will not conceive naturally.