Positive stories from poor semen analysis results?

[lovepositivity]

My husband has received his semen analysis results

2% sperm count
27% progressive motility

High sample volume.

He's been told he's not infertile but it will be difficult for us to conceive. We have gotten pregnant previously after 7 months of trying but unfortunately miscarried.

Looking for some positive stories from people in similar situations

2% normal sperm I should say,
And sperm count of 11.8

We went the donor route due to MFI. Very happy with the result

No experience with this but I don't understand why such a high volume doesn't compensate for lower values in other areas.

Like multiplying all the factors together:

Normal: (15 sperm per ml x 1.5ml volume x 4% normal sperm x 32% progressive motility) = 0.288

Your DH: (11.8 sperm per ml x 4.1ml volume x 2% normal sperm x 27% motility) = 0.261

So the high volume should cancel out most of the other things surely? Unless I misunderstood the values? Is the 11.8 just 11.8 or do they mean 11.8 x 10^6?

Good luck! Hope you get your baby soon x

Hi,

We also have MFI and have similar readings, although my dh has an existing condition which is treatable (he has to take injections) but will probably always be on the lower end of the scale. I’m no expert on reading a sperm analysis but the normal count should be 15 million and 4% morphology. His is just under, it’s not too bad at all. There are things he can do to help- normal weight, healthy eating, cutting back on caffeine and alcohol, taking wellman vitamins, no tight fitting underwear, avoiding hot baths/sauna, laptop close to the area. Also google sperm meets egg plan for low sperm count, I’ve found this method helpful. I’ve fallen pregnant twice but two miscarriages, although it’s promising we can fall pregnant naturally.

You should be eligible for IVF icsi depending on your age and how long you have been trying. It’s highly recommended for those with a low sperm count. We will hopefully be having icsi later on in the year. If it helps we know someone who had 3 sperm (not 3 million, just 3) and he had his surgically removed, then icsi and now they have twins. There are options for you to have your own baby. Don’t lose hope and keep trying naturally- there is also an infertility board on mumsnet if you need more support from women who are going through the process. Good luck and take care

@Mistymeow @RubberTreePlant @Kinsters thanks for your replies.

There are definitely things we can look at to try improve his count. He is a very keen cyclist - and not overly keen to stop!
He also had a varicocele repair when he was younger but wondering if surgical removal rather that the laparoscopic coil insertion he had would be better.

He's taking vit c, zinc, coenzyme QA along with some other things so perhaps we need to try other supplements.
Definitely need to try the sperm meets egg plan too. Fingers crossed fingers for a relatively simple solution to conceive successfully xx

Hi OP. My DS is 2 this week but I can still remember a few bits about DH semen analysis.

Basically. He had below average sperm count, higher overall volume, and very low morphology. The only that he had positive was motility. So basically they were randomly shaped but could swim very fast. Aka zombie sperm. After 10 months off ttc we finally got our bfp. I would put a time limit on what you’re happy with and go from there x

Oh and he has a varicocele and a epididymal cyst. The specialist said it has no effect on ttc. He’s also a chef working long hours in a hot kitchen and we still managed to conceive. Good luck.

At age 32 I got pregnant after years of trying but had a MMC. We sought help after that and was told it was highly unlikely we'd ever conceive naturally due to DH low sperm count. We tried a round of IVF but it was unsuccessful. While we were stressing about how to afford another round of IVF I fell pregnant naturally and my DD is now 20. We assumed it was a fluke and didn't bother with contraception thereafter and two years later I was pregnant again with DD18. Don't ever give up hope. After DTD I used to lay with my pelvis in the air to give whatever sperm were there the best chance to make their way to the right place. Probably looked stupid but it maybe helped things along. Good luck OP!

@Chefwifelife thank you- that's really reassuring. I think that's a good point- just set a limit on how long we're happy to try for. I don't want to let it go on long term when an alternative route might be what's needed.
Fingers crossed!

@TixieLix aww that's a lovely story. My husband always says when we stop focusing on it, it'll probably happen! Just hard not to focus on it when it's the main thing I want!! It's great to know that sometimes it's just time ... thanks for sharing your story xx

My DH also had poor results. We had ICSI ivf and due my first transfer on Thursday! Even with DH poor results we managed to get 12/14 eggs fertilised and have 5 good quality blastocysts in the freezer.

My DH took coq10 high dose vit c and wellman tablets. Results did improve but it took 6 months to Show a difference. not improved to perfect but a noticeable difference.

If you would consider ivf I would start down the referral process now as it can take a long time. For us 12 months before we started treatment. You could continue to try naturally whilst going through the referral process.

Good luck

Can I ask what MFI is please?

We have just had first results back for my OH and there are issues around motility and Morphology (count not mentioned), bit terrifying but we have conceived twice, so are hopeful it is something easily fixed.

@Mistymeow I think we must know the same couple!

MFI - Male factor infertility. Issues with the sperm leading to infertility problems