TTC - Fertility Problems :-(

[Bellabups]

Hi, I'm new to mumsnet but have been a silent fan but now decided to seek your advice on the problems me and dh are having. To cut a long story short we haven't used "anythng" for near on 7 years but have been "trying" for a couple of years. We have only in th past few months decided to seek help via the doctor as we both are ready for children and need to get the ball rolling. The first thing our doctor did was refer my dh for semen samples - after doing two samples within about 4 weeks the results werent good, between 4-8 mil and they said they couldnt test the sample due to lack of sperm?.
I have finally after a lot of pushing been refered to a gyno on the 31st May (first available appointment apparently).

Has anyone been in a similar position or can give me any advice i what we can do to concieve or what i'm to expect at my gyno appointment?

Thanks in advance

Bellabups x

Hi Bellabups

I have had a similar story - no contraception for many years, but have been actively trying for about 3 years now.

The first gynae appt is probably going to be a bit disappointing - unless you get a gynae with a good bedside manner (mine certainly does not, but is apparently good at what he does!).

They will look at your blood results - has your gp booked you for these? If not they will book you for day 3-5 and 21 blood tests. They may scan you during the appt using the internal (dildo) cam to check for any obvious clues - ie PCOS. They may well book you in for a HSG too - this is a rather painful process of having dye injected into your uterus after they inflate a balloon - this checks whether your fallopian tubes are clear - this procedure is down around day 10 when the cervix is open. A lot of people conceive naturally after this procedure as it can unblock minor blockages.

After these results are back you'll probably have another appt and then they may consider a laproscopy (a keyhole surgery examination of your whole reproductive system).

Alternatively, they may just give you clomid - I never have as I apparently ovulate every month - I am what they consider 'unexplained infertility' and my next step is IUI.

A lot of the treatment options depend on your age and whether they find any reasons.

Lastly - I would recommend getting yourself and DH on conception vitamin supplements (We use pregnacare conception his and hers). I have also banned my DP from hot baths and reduced his caffeine and alcohol consumption considerably - his sperm count has increased from the borderline bad to the acceptable range, so it is well worth looking at.

Hope this helps - sorry if I've rambled!

Sort of similar here with shorter times - no contraception for a couple of years and making concerted efforts since Xmas (so on cycle 6 of that now). I'm just getting my bloods done this month (had Day 3 this week, will get Day 21 done when that rolls around) and hubby has been told to register with a GP (he's one of these never goes to a doctor types) and get a sperm analysis done. Hubby is surprisingly fine with this - I thought he would object. My GP has already muttered about Metformin and Clomid (I have PCOS) but I am not sure how useful these will be. Despite the PCOS I have a period every month and OPK kits and charting suggest I ovulate. I am hoping that will be confirmed by the Day 21 test.

Anyway, once we get those results, I will be pushing for a gynae referral (and considering going private to speed things up - we are 35 and 36 so don't have a huge amount of time to waste).

So you are by no means alone. Well done on getting such a quick gynae referral.

Thanks for your advice SlightlyBabyCrazed and eurochick, its nice to have advice from normal people going through the same thing!! We are just gonna take it day to day and keep trying in the meantime ;-) we're both going to start taking vitamins to boost both our fertility and maybe we will be parents by 2012!!! Good luck on your jouneys as well x

Hi bellabups, I've been trying to conceive for a couple of years, and after losing 2, decided to go and get things checked out. I have my own fertility issues (namely, age) but DH was also discovered to have 98% abnormal sperm (up to 94 - 96% is considered an acceptable level of abnormal sperm). Anyway, for the last couple of months I've been force feeding him Fertility for Men supplements and a fatty acid supplement (as recommended by our fertility specialist). He had another test today and his abnormals have gone down to 84%. Might be an idea to get your DH on some supplements, as well as looking at his diet, smoking, drinking etc. as the others suggested. Good luck x

Another thing that is possibly harmful to sperm according to Zita West stuff is non organic meat and dairy produce. Apparently growth hormones they give to cattle contains quite a lot of oestrogen.

my story for you
After 4 years ttc me and hubby went to docs to find out he had a count of 3 mil. this was confirmed on second test.

To cut a long story short we went for ICSI on the day i was told his count was worse than ever. We managed to fertilise 6 eggs though and due to my amazing clinic one of those eggs made it to day 5 and became my 6 week old daughter thats asleep on the settee.

I was so miserable when i found out about the low count but you know what if your fine fertility wise once the eggfertilised and in you, you have as good a chance as anyone to get your dream :)