DP very low sperm count - devastated

[nancywhitehead]

Myself (32) and DP (43) have been TTC for about 6 months. He's had some early tests as we knew he might have issues for various reasons to do with childhood operations. I've been tracking my cycles and seem to be ovulating. I've also had hormonal blood tests in the past for other reasons which all came back fine, so as far as I know everything is OK with me.

Anyway, his semen analysis came back the other day with a very low sperm count (

My husband as a similar count to yours and we now have two DCs, via ICSI ((ivf) if you can get your heads around it it’s probably worth working towards for you. If you have no gynaecology issues and it’s just sperm count it should work?

Oh and we are both early 40s

@Twickerhun Thank you, that's really reassuring and congrats on your DC :) I didn't know if IVF would even be an option for us because the count is so low. I am also overweight (BMI 31) so I will probably have to lose some weight.

So much to think about, it's overwhelming

Surprised he would rather a sperm donar than IVF. A sperm donar would mean he is not the biological father.

@Whitecup4 I think it is because he knows someone who had IVF and found it a really draining and awful experience, and he has heard how it can damage relationships etc. He just has a very negative view of it. I know very little about it so I guess I need to do some research.

A sperm donor is a completely valid idea. But what clinical aspect of IVF does he find off putting specifically? Because using a donor will also involve a fair amount of clinic involvement.

If you want to do more research then I really recommend signing up to some clinic open evenings on zoom. Even ones that aren’t local to you or you don’t think you’ll use are still really informative. We went to one that had a free ten minute 1:1 session with a consultant after the main zoom so that you could ask questions specific to your own situation. ( I can’t remember which clinic that was now as we considered so many but for example: www.londonwomensclinic.com/open-days/ )

@SatsumasOrClementines I'm not really sure the exact aspect but he's mentioned that he might have to give me injections? I think he really doesn't like the idea of that.

That's a great tip about the virtual clinics. I've just googled and found one in my area that has one coming up soon!

Hi @nancywhitehead

I am sorry to bring up an old post but my husband and I are in a similar situation. We have both gone into panic mode and are quite upset by the whole thing! I just wondered how you both are getting on and whether anything helped?

It'll be fine. ICSII is the special kind of IVF for very low sperm count. DH's count was officially zero. They still manage to find a few swimmers and we now have two DC from ICSII.