Poor morphology?

[bananafanana]

Have been ttc for 2 years now without success.

Tests show that all is fine for me but DH's morphology is 5% (everything else fine). Doc said they don't know what causes it and cannot offer a solution other than going down the IVF route which we have discussed and discounted.

Can anyone offer any advice? I'm 40 now and have almost given up hope. Slightly upset that it's DH and not me!

Hi Banana

First of all 5% isn't that bad a result tbh, what are the rest of the numbers like.

my dp had much worse results and we managed to get pg 5 times in 2 years. (4 mc)

Does your dh take any vitamins?

these are my dp's results before and after taking vits and supplements.

1st test
count-10m
morphology-1%
motility-37%

2nd test 4 months later and 3.5 months after starting vits

count-16m
morphology-2%
motility-67%

Thanks mumatron

I don't have the other numbers to hand but the doctor told him they were all good.

He has been taking the Wellman Sport vitamins but not for conception purposes!

I would like him to try a couple of different things to see if it will help (i.e. hypnotherapy, acupuncture, etc.) but after the results he didn't really want to discuss it. Think he was a bit embarassed that it was him and not me. Feel like we should be doing something as I am almost out of time but I just don't know what!

get him on either wellman conception or fertilaid for men (google them, i could only buy online) and Pycnogenol. I'm sure you know all the usual lifestyle changes, smoking, drinking etc.

does he have a repeat test booked? 1 test doesn't mean much without something to compare to.

My Dp did not react well when he got the test results, It was shock as I had been pg so many times. is Ivf a definite no go for you?

Antioxidants and superantioxidants like pycnogenol (available from holland and barret and the like) are meant to improve morphology. Does he work anywhere environmentally poor?

Thanks, will hunt those out.

No, he hasn't got another test booked. He had to wait about four months for this one! I told him not to worry about going a second time as if the result is the same it will just reinforce the message that he's not firing on all cylinders which isn't great for the grey matter.

Other than that, doesn't smoke and doesn't drink much. Is a little overweight but exercises quite a bit. Works in an office and gets a bit stressed but not overly so I don't think.

I would definitely recommend a second test, there are factors that can affect sperm temporarily, illness, stress etc. I'm surprised your Dr hasn't suggested another test tbh.

I wanted to add a note of hope. My DH and I were investigated very early on as I have PCOS. Then we were told that his morphology was only 1% and that if we wanted to have a child we would def need IVF and poss ICSI. They put us on the waiting list. In the interim, we tried to persuade the doc to prescribe me some clomid to get me ovulating. They said no point at all due to DH's issue but finally agreed to do it (probably to shut me up!). Anyway, to cut a long story short I got pg on the second cycle and now have a 1 year old DS.

Have to restrain DH from writing to the consultant saying, "You only need one!".

So it's not necessarily disastrous! Good luck.

banana - i would say that 5% morph isn't that bad. The WHO guidelines are bringing down their normal reference levels from 15% to 3% so your DH is actually 'normal'. If he has a good sperm count, then 5% is really fine. My DH's is 7% and he spoke to an embryologst about it and we've spoken to my gynae and they say there is nothing to worry about with those levels. WHO are bringing down their reference levels because people still conceive with 2% even 1% morph so 15% makes no sense. Check this out:
infertilityblog.blogspot.com/2006/05/sperm-morphology-mythology.html

Just adding my story to support what others have said. DH had morphology of 2% on first test, 6% on second and 20% on third. He's been on wellman conception since the first result and fertility plus for couple of months too recently. And pretty much given up drinking, apart from 1 pint on a Friday. the gynea said his first result was pretty normal and wasn't at all concerned. It really does only take one.

DH has poor morphology, they tested his prolactin levels and they were very high which causes low testerone and therefore sperm problems. We're off to see a specialist on Monday to see eats causing it.
Have they checked his prolactin levels. Symptoms include low mood, decreased libido, difficulty achieving or sustaining an erection. If he has any of these, might be worth asking them to check.
I put DH on wellman pills and the morphology improved quite a bit. He was already on antidepressants but ironically if we hadn't been ttc they'd never have looked for a cause of the poor SA and found the high prolactin.

Hi banana, please don't worry. DP got his SA results back last week and his morphology was only 2% however whilst waiting for his results we got a bfp (and my FSH was 12.7 which is not great, i'm 39). I am however totally bricking it as we had a miscarriage earlier on in the year so praying this one sticks.

The clinic weren't concerned about the 2% morphology as his other numbers were good, and said they wouldn't do a re-test as it's only at the lower end of what they like to see, and not in dangerously low territory? I think the WHO minimum is 4%? DP has been on male fertility vitamins since March but it doesn't look like they have done much for his morphology! I do tell him off though for sitting with a laptop on his knees all the time!

I think morphology is only a concern if the other figures are low? If they are high then it could all be relative IYSWIM.

I f the worst happens and we miscarry again then I think I'll get his prolactin levels like have has suggested above, that sounds very interesting and worth looking at.

There are quite a few useful threads on here on how to increase morphology including a supplement from Holland & Barratt which carebear mentions. Acupuncture might also be worth a shot. It definitely helped my body sort itself out post m/c.

It's worth asking what his other numbers were too so at least you know what they are incase he does have a re-test in 3 months time.

But, ditto what all the others have said - it does only take one! xx

sorry to hijack thread but congratulations on the bfp pie!

Thanks all

I haven't given up hope. In fact, I've said myself repeatedly that we only need one little swimmer! Trouble is, 40 isn't always the best place to be mentally when you're still ttc number 1.

Will get DH vitamins suggested.

Well done to you Pie - really great news!

x

Thanks have & banana !

I'm no way out of the woods yet but am taking things one day at a time! banana please try not to worry about your age, have you had Day 3 and Day 21 tests done? My Day 21 tests were showing that I wasn't ovulating (although because I chart/use OPKs I knew I was) but it was probably a poor ovulation because the progesterone level was only 20 and should be 30+. I started taking a B Vitamin complex which really seemed to help and also increased my LP. Anyway, I digress! You can get Pregnacare his 'n' her conception vits from Boots (we were both on a male/female fertility vitamin).

Fingers crossed one swimmer out of the gazillions makes it through! xx

Yes, 21 day blood test came back as normal. Was also tested for various other things (thyroid, rubella?, etc.) and they came back as clear too.

Will get DH popping a few pills. It certainly won't hurt him.

Good luck Pie! x