TTC Cycle 8 with 1% sperm morphology

[DreamingSwan]

I’m a longtime lurker here and have just signed up because there’s no one I can talk to about this in real life who understands or is going through the same thing. I’m looking for some kind words, success stories, or just general solidarity!

I am 32, will be 33 in less than 5 months. I had just turned 32 when we started trying. My DH is 29, turning 30 in 5 months. We’re now on our 8th cycle of TTC for baby #1.

I’m massively Type A so we’ve never had a “relax and see what happens” phase. I’ve been using OPKs from the very start, sticking them in a book and marking when we DTD. We use conception-friendly lube.

My cycles are very regular, 26-28 days on average, but my bleeds are on the heavy side. I was on the pill when I was at uni well over a decade ago, but came off it because it made me depressed—I think I was never on it for more than a year or two. I am slim, non smoker, barely drink, eat healthily.

Not a hint of a BFP yet, no chemicals, nothing. I’ve been worried something is wrong for a while now so I booked DH in for a SA. The results came back showing a very high sperm count, slightly above average motility, but only 1% morphology. The report said this is classed as teratazoospermia and it said his sperm might find it hard to find and penetrate my egg. It was a horrible shock to read the report.

DH doesn’t like alcohol—he has approx 3 ciders a year and that’s it. He’s never smoked or done drugs. He eats healthily and is very slim (always has been). He is the epitome of health. He cycles to work, but given his count is so high I’m not convinced it’s the cycling that is causing his morphology issues.

The evidence seems mixed about whether low morphology is problematic when other sperm markers are good. Anecdotally, it looks like lots of couples get pregnant anyway, but lots don’t and need IVF with ICSI. We can’t find any evidence on whether there’s a reason it seems to affect some couples’ outcomes and not others. The GP has told DH not to worry and that it may just take us longer. Other people in the same situation have been told they’ll need IVF. I’m terrified of IVF because of the expense and how low the success rates are. I’m so anxious I don’t know what to do with myself. I hate the uncertainty.

I’m convinced something is wrong with me too. I’ve been having pain on deep penetration for the last 2 years or so, having never had problems with deep penetration before. I also get random twinges in my pelvic region and I’ve been told I’ve got a tilted (retroverted) uterus. In 2023 they investigated these symptoms and found a polyp in my womb and having it removed was so excruciatingly painful I nearly fainted. (It was meant to be mildly uncomfortable.) I’m worried I have undiagnosed endo or something (albeit with less severe symptoms than the typical endo case). I also never get EWCM. Could it be that the SA is a red herring, and the problem is actually with me?

Does anyone have any advice? I’m so tearful all the time because my maternal instinct is so strong and not being able to get pregnant is breaking my heart. It’s a cliché, but it really is true that all my friends and family members who have babies got pregnant within the first or second cycle of trying. I feel so jealous. Seeing babies everywhere is even starting to bother my very stoical and calm DH.

Sorry for such a long post, I’m just going out of my mind with worry and I don’t know what else to do but post here and hope someone can offer some consolation.

Thank you - I’m going to take the notebook approach next cycle! Might be better as once you get a static smiley on cleablue, you can’t retest for 48 hours and I currently have no idea what’s going on!
what brand of IC OPK tests are recommended?

will look into evening primrose oil - it will give me something new to google if nothing else 😂 I keep reading about COQ10 but haven’t tried that one yet!

It’s very likely that his poor sperm quality due to being underweight is the reason you haven’t had a baby. He needs to see a dietician to see how he can gain weight. Being underweight:

• Reduced Sperm Quality
• Hormonal imbalance
• Nutritional Deficiencies
• Impact on Semen Parameters

Also, maybe don’t try to diet whilst you’re also ttc.

@DreamingSwan It’s really hard to pin point exactly why you aren’t getting pregnant without the full picture with you. Did you get all your bloods done and had a scan to check for endo? Morphology isn’t the worst parameter to be off, whilst it may take you a bit longer it’s unlikely to be the only reason. I remember your original post said that he cycles a lot, cyclists are known to have issues with sperm, I’d probably say he should cut that out. And take some impyrl supplements as they are great and really help. Lifting more may help to get him to bulk out and help the body produce more testosterone maybe? I’d probably say get you checked out first because it could be something simple with you.
Also agree don’t diet whilst TTC. I am heavier than I’d like and I just keep telling myself I can be sensible and cut down but I won’t stop putting nourishing foods into my body as my future baby will need that. If it’s been 13 months now I’m assuming your tests are well underway with the GP?

@Babyybabyyy DH has been told he has an exceptionally high count, way above average. The morphology is the only thing that’s suboptimal and the consultants have told us not to worry because the count is so high. It’s very difficult for him to put on weight so we might struggle to change anything lifestyle wise. Everything else in his lifestyle is perfect.
I’m not dieting, I’m just cutting out unhealthy foods that have been making me feel even worse and making me gain stomach fat, like too much sugar. I know my energy levels and headaches have been worse since my diet has been bad. I’m not trying to become too skinny or under-eat. I’ve read high sugar intake is bad for hormone health anyway! I take nutrition very seriously and wouldn’t try and compromise on it when TTC.

@Thisisouryear2025 GP has referred me but it’s been a while since the referral was sent off and I still don’t have an appointment. I have to call up the hospital in July if I still haven’t had a letter. I’m still having private investigations in the meantime as I don’t want to waste a single month because my AMH isn’t great. Hoping the HyCoSy and scan on Monday will maybe give me some more answers beyond just tube health. The consultant I saw in April thinks I might have adenomyosis. But who knows?

@DreamingSwan Take it easy lovely. I agree, after everything I’ve read about sperm, and it’s a lot as an ex of mine had awful sperm, is that morphology isn’t the be all and end all, and also if he’s got a really really high count, it kinda cancels it out! I think if it’s improved from 1% to 3% anyway then that’s really good. I agree with the sugar, I enjoy chocolate too much lol so have said when I get back from holiday I’m going to cut out sugar and drink again to a very low level! No harm in eating less rubbish! Has the GP done all your initial bloods? I’ve also been referred to a specialist, but the GP did all my bloods first to see if she could find anything. What is your AMH? Mine is low too, it was done three weeks ago and came back at 5.9, she said it could be better but not tragic. Hopefully your Hycosy comes back fine. I would say that it’s likely any endo or adenomyosis is likely contributing to the absent BFP and not the sperm. I’m not a doctor but even with bad sperm people still get pregnant and your DP doesn’t have bad sperm. Just remember that 92% of people conceive within two years… I hold on to this hope even only after 6 months TTC I still remind myself that it may be a long road but it will happen x

This just popped up on my feed and it’s been a while since I’ve been on the conception threads but just in case anyone needs a positive story, my DH had 1% morphology and we managed to conceive two children naturally. It did take time, just over a year for each but we got there. I used a fertilily on the successful cycle for my second, no idea if that’s what made the difference but worth a go. Good luck ladies.

That gives me hope—thank you. Fingers crossed this will be our story too!

I just found your thread whilst researching, and I’m shocked at how much I could’ve written myself!!

we have now been TTC 2 years 😓our only known issues from our GP testing is my husbands 2% morphology all other sperm areas seemed to be normal and my dr didn’t seem concerned about the morphology. My husband’s Gp was unfortunately not helpful at all, basically told him to stop drinking and smoking which he doesn’t do anyway (occasionally drinks but maybe 1-2 times a month only) my husbands only flaw is that he is overweight but he exercises/gyms a lot and assures me he has a lot of “muscle”. I have always had a healthy weight and no known issues.

We have been referred via NHS to Gynae but our appointment isn’t until the very end of October, it’s so hard trying to stay sane until then when it feels like all our friends are conceiving without issues. We are on the fence about whether we should do a private hycosy to check my tubes, or just starting private IVF but would have to be abroad due to the costs of private in the uk. It’s hard talking to friends about it, they think I’m crazy wanting to put myself through ivf when we are “young and healthy”. I am 31 soon to be 32 and my husband 35 but I am quickly loosing hope that we will conceive naturally, I never expected infertility would affect us this way and it’s absolutely soul destroying. We have recently switched from Proceive to impryl to try so fingers crossed.

How was your hycosy?

praying we all get out BFP soon🙏🏻

Hi Cupcakes, I’m so sorry to hear how hard this journey has been for you.

We are now onto Cycle 14 as my period started this morning. I’m devastated. I really hoped we would conceive after the HyCoSy. I just don’t understand why nothing is happening. DH and I have been discussing IVF and whether or not it’s a terrible idea because the stakes are so high—if it didn’t work (most likely outcome) I’m worried I would be dangerously depressed. I just don’t think I could take the risk, but I’m so desperately sad that it may be the only way for us. I just don’t know.

HyCoSy was much better than I was expecting in terms of pain levels. Tubes are open. As I knew they would be… I fear we are destined to always be unexplained and never know why we can’t conceive. In many ways I wish something was wrong so we could fix it.

It cost us about £700 which I know is a lot. I think we did the right thing though. Our NHS referral hasn’t come through yet which is very frustrating.

Is anyone supporting you with TTC? I have just started counselling. I’m sceptical because I think the only fix is a baby but we shall see.

If anyone is still following this thread… we have no idea what to do next. We’re now at the calendar year of trying. Cycle 14. Is there anything else we can try? I’m becoming super heartbroken and panicky. I’ve started counselling sessions but so far they’ve not given me much except validation, given that no one in my real life gets it. I just found out another person in our life got pregnant immediately after starting ttc (aged 35) recently, and we can add them to the list of literally everyone we know with a baby. I’m so jealous. This is so isolating.
I have no hope for this cycle and can’t ever imagine a BFP—they happen to other women, women in movies, not me.
Still no referral from the NHS, either.
I just want to wake from this nightmare. Rant over.

@DreamingSwan I just read your last update and wanted to say that it's so tough when everyone around you is getting pregnant left and right, without even trying for too long.
I hope a day comes when you're holding your baby and you look back all you're going through now and know it's just the past.. 💕
It is crazy how draining TTC journeys can get, both mentally and physically. Wishing you all the best.
Are any people in your circle being supportive and understanding?

Hi @DreamingSwan im feeling quite the same - think on cycle 16 now and feel like it’ll never happen! DH is now taking sperm supplements and has an analysis retest soon and I’m trying a few months of progesterone. Sorry you’re feeling like this - it’s really bloody hard!
I also got my microbiome tested and we both had antibiotics so hoping that might have helped 🤞🏻

Hey @DreamingSwan (this is the username I used on this thread before and I am not pregnant now). I can hear how raw your pain is. TTC is so soul destroying and I have written and said so many of the same things. It's very hard and sometimes feels there is no end in sight. This might not be the advice you want as it isn't free but when you feel you've hit a wall with the NHS - go private. Honestly. You'll be blown away at how quickly things move and how they talk to you like they AVTUALLY care!

I'm still TTC and I've now had three losses. It isn't easy. I also feel like happy healthy pregnancy is something other people achieve easily - everyone, in fact, but me. Just know that is not true. There's really loads of us out there. The ignorant people who are nonchalant about pregnancy also wind me up. They don't know their blessing. I truly believe this journey makes better parents out of us all in the end - regardless of what route we end up taking to get there. Come back to chat whenever you need there's so many women here who get it.

Thanks so much @Everythingisokay, this is so kind of you. I hope you’re right about looking back one day… my fear is that it’s never going to happen for us and that I will be grieving and in sorrow for the rest of my life.
People in my life are kind but no one “gets” it.

@1woodpecker I’m so sorry you’re going through this too. It’s so hard. Where did you get your microbiome tested and did it show anything unusual? Have they found any other reason why it hasn’t happened yet?

I’m so sorry for your losses @PregnantForNow Have you had any investigations into why you’ve had recurrent losses or if there’s anything that may help you in the future? I hope you have good support around you.
You’re totally right about going private. So far we’ve paid privately for one semen analysis, one ultrasound and consultation with AMH test, and one HyCoSy. We want to be able to get some free advice and see what our options are with the NHS but we know that morphology isn’t taken seriously so it’ll be “unexplained”, which means we have to be trying for 2 years before we can get IVF. Realistically, I know we’re looking at private IVF but we don’t have much money. I’ve told DH if we’re not pregnant in the next two cycles I want to go down that route and we will just have to take a loan out or something. It’s so bloody unfair when other people just have sex once and get pregnant for free. I’m so sad.

Yes it's an unfair system unfortunately. We will also be going private as the wait is too long. Currently trying for two more cycles post my clear HSG on my remaining tube. My issue was a blocked tube, and now I have only one, but at least it's clear.

All good clinics offer payment plans and I'd strongly urge you to consider the 3 cycles plan - as you may not get pregnant first round. It's more upfront but if you shell out the thousands for a single cycle and it's doesn't work you'll be gutted.

In my area you're allowed 1 private cycle to fail and can still be eligible for NHS. If you have two failed private cycles you're no longer eligible for NHS. So check your areas rules - you could do one round whilst waiting for NHS. Hopefully that one round works! But it might not. There are options to consider.

Just to say I understand completely. Fertility is such a hellish world - just remember as much as you see women bragging about how 'SUPER fertile 😂🥰 only-have-to-look-at-my-husband' they are, that doesn't mean they're actually better than you. It's chance. It's luck. It's nothing you've done wrong.

I did it with Daye, really easy and quick. Came back as high in one bacteria which needed antibiotics. Haven’t retested yet but think it helped? Apparently that can affect fertility and miscarriages. It was £99 I think but I’ve got a discount code if you did look at it!
Otherwise no reason found. I thought I might have a thin lining but it was ok when I had a scan just before ovulation.
DH is convinced his sperm are fine but morphology is low and I think this is part of it! He’s got a highish count etc so thinks it’s balanced out but I’m not sure?

Losing track of if I’ve said this already but we had a consultation with Plan Your Baby who were affordable, as an in between whilst we wait for NHS

Hey PregnantForNow, sorry for the slow reply. I tend to come on Mumsnet when I’m feeling terrible and avoid it when I’m feeling a bit better. I’m currently dealing with AF and onto Cycle 15 so seeking people who “get it” on here again!
We will look at multi cycle packages. So scared it won’t work and we’ll have spent money for nothing. :(
You’re totally right that it’s not my fault and it’s luck. I’m going to try reminding myself of that more often as I definitely feel like I’m a total loser. I hate being an object of pity. I’m sick of people’s insensitive comments too!

Thanks for this—I had no idea there were affordable versions of the test! I will definitely go and research Daye right now.
How are you getting on with your investigations?

Update with us: we’re now on cycle 15. DH has had a DNA frag test which thankfully came back good. I was so worried it would be terrible because of his poor morphology. We have our first NHS consultation this afternoon at King’s Fertility. Still don’t know why we’re not pregnant and I’m losing hope.

Hey sorry to hear you're feeling down. Still not pregnant over here but we are just waiting for our first IVF appointment. It sucks I know! Sorry to hear nothing has changed for you either.

That’s good re DNA frag!

how did your appt go?

we’ve got our first NHS appt coming up, I’m curious to know what will happen and how quick/slow it will be. As I’ve had ultrasounds/lots of blood tests already, I wonder if next step will be checking tubes, or if they’ll repeat bloods again etc. The appt letter said they might do a scan on the day. wishful thinking but hoping there’s not too much delay and might be able to try something different! My acupuncturist recommended asking them about clotting issues because I’ve had 2 chemicals, so need to read into that a bit more

ANOTHER period arrived today… onto cycle 16. I’m so upset and disappointed—and angry at myself for being disappointed when I should have known. I’m so scared I’m never going to be a mum.
Are we wasting time continuing to try naturally? It would have happened by now, surely… I feel so demoralised but also I just want to start IVF so I can try something different from the heartbreak of monthly ttc naturally. How is everyone else getting on?