Low sperm density. Anyone overcome it?

[Tiletiletile1]

After TTC for almost 2 years and personally having tests (blood tests and scans which all came out fine) my DH has finally had a sperm test and it turns out he has low sperm density (a quick google implies this is the same as a sperm count). Mobility is normal, apparently.

Did anyone else go through this? What can be done about it?

He doesn’t smoke or eat unhealthily (eats pretty healthily) but I would say he doesn’t do lots of exercise. Maybe about one intense thing a week, and daily longish dog walks, that’s it. Drinks maybe a bottle of beer or two every couple of days.

I bought him supplements about a year ago, but he takes them maybe once a week

It’s secondary infertility for us, which is why he didn’t much care for getting checked out until now.

I know this is very unhealthy of me, but I feel a bit annoyed (secretly) because after two years of TTC I am now 40 and have been ovulating and taking supplements and exercising and have quit drinking and do the ovulation strips (on and off, they were making me obsessive!) and tracking cycles and so on and so on. It feels like we’ve wasted my body’s chances because I’m no longer in my 30s.

My secret resentment comes from the fact that he hasn’t done anything to change and we’ve just discovered it’s likely his sperm that has held us back (I know I shouldn’t think that way - I will not tell him).

Is this it for us in all likelihood? I doubt I can get him to change much, tbh. We also only DTD 2-3 times a month as he has a low sex drive - probably connected?

It’s so frustrating. I know I should stop thinking about this now! (I keep telling myself with each month that I will, but then I don’t!)

I am in no way or form affiliated to this person. But my friend in Ireland had a successful pregnancy after consulting. Check out the below link.

www.fertilitytreatment.ie

Little pricey. I am taking her treatments myself now. From nothing happening to me naturally, I at least had a chemical one recently. She has treatments specifically to cases like your husband

I will say it again. I am not profiting by promoting her. I am just suggesting you to check her out

Thanks AmIamum10, but I’m not sure we can afford fertility treatments. Isn’t it thousands and thousands?

Just to add, apparently he was told his sperm density is 2. I have no idea what that means! Even google isn’t enlightening me.

Doctor said he’d be tested again in another three months (!).

The first appointment was around $550. She suggests some supplements and gives Chinese herbs. She looks at your tongue and diagnose. The total cost for the whole treatment was < $1000 including first appointment and the herbs. Read the reviews in the website and make a decision. Good luck to you

I'd be fuming if I were you.

Does he want kids? In fairness to him does he not feel up for trying because he had a feeling/ knew his count was low/ he was less likely?
For eg when I was with an ex he told me he used to have unprotected sex with his previous partner of 4 years and she never conceived. We never ttc (thankfully as he's an ex) but if we did and he hadn't told me that it would have been me I suppose that went through the first load of tests like you did as I think we mostly presume the issue is with the female.

He may have no idea though- it was just a thought.

Loads of women conceive in their 40's so don't stop yet. I'd try for a heart to heart chat about him taking vitamins and maybe don't tell him when you're ovulating just make out you're horny some men can't cope with the pressure of 'perform now!'

Are you still tracking etc?

I am still tracking my cycle, but not the OPKs as I was getting a little too obsessed! But maybe that’s my proper only chance now!

I’m glad I’m not alone in fuming about it. He won’t really talk to me much about the results - he’s a bit defensive and I have been trying hard to be neutral and not let him know how annoyed I am secretly. We’ve had so many talks about having another and his thinking is: it would be great as he loves his child, but it’s not essential to his life. He’s a very good dad though, plays more than I do etc etc.

I wonder if he knew deep down as he has said that his sex drive has declined a lot over the last few years...

I think I can probably get him to take his vitamins. But I’m going to have to remind him daily, which annoys me a little because surely this is something he should want to do?

He’s not a bad person, but he’s often quite mentally absent (interested in his own stuff more) - doesn’t listen, not really that engaged in our plans and doesn’t remember what they are etc. I hate this, but - for example - I have to tell him to call his very old godmother when it’s her birthday or send a card to a relative etc, buy a Christmas present for his nephews. He doesn’t do this stuff on his own. So it’s not surprising that he’s disengaged about TTC, it’s very true to form. If something (outside of work or a hobby he loves) doesn’t come easily to him, he doesn’t try.

Sorry I have no advice here but I have read good things about Procieve Max vitamins increasing sperm count so maybe worth trying. They are expensive but can get them cheaper from Amazon or on 3 for 2 at Boots xx

Thanks twinkle! I will try and find some special offers!

Oh @Tiletiletile1 he sounds similar to my dp!

I think a lot of men actually rely on others to remind them of things so the fact he's like that anyway I'd maybe still be fuming but not as much if he wasn't like that in most things in life. Mine used to always forget to take his vits so now as a matter of course I just leave them on the side where he will see them- could you do that? Sometimes I physically take mine the tablets! But I suppose it's pick your battles and with vitamins it's easier to give them him so he takes them as it helps both of you- if you know what I mean?

Does he already have a child then or is the dc both of yours or have I completely got mixed up?

Try fertilsan vitamins by (I think) amitamin. My husband had low sperm count, low motility, poor forms (there was a more technical term) and after a few months on these it all improved massively. So much so that our ivf clinic asked him to tell them what he’d done. Remember sperm takes 3 months to be produced so it’ll take a little while to have an effect. I think they were £30 for a month’s supply so a lot cheaper than fertility treatment. Good luck xx