1% morphology... need advice!

[koolkatxx]

My husband and I have been trying to conceive for a year and a half. I got pregnant last May but unfortunately had a chemical pregnancy. We finally got a semen analysis done, and while some parts look good, I’m really worried about his morphology and immotile sperm.
The Concerns:

• Only 1% of his sperm have a normal shape (should be at least 3.9%). I’ve read that poor morphology can make fertilization harder.
• 45% of his sperm are immotile (don’t move at all), which seems a bit high. While his total motility is okay, I worry about the sperm that aren’t moving.

The Positives:

• Sperm count is great (181 million total, which is well above normal- normal is >38 million)
• Total motility (moving sperm) is 55%, which is above the 41% minimum.
• Semen volume, pH, and other factors are all normal.

I guess I’m just feeling really discouraged. We’re trying to stay hopeful, but after 18 months of trying, it’s tough. I am definitely losing hope and feeling very deflated. He is taking coQ10, omega 3 fatty acids, and Proxeed plus fertility sachets. We don’t drink or smoke. He wears loose boxers. He doesn’t shower in hot water. BTW all my bloods came back normal. Would love any advice or encouragement. Thank you so much. ❤️

My husband had undescended testicles at birth. They delayed the operation to rectify it until he was too old and this damaged his testicles. At our first sperm analysis he had 1. I don't mean 1 million. Or even 1 thousand. Or even 10. In that sample, he had 1 sperm. The other samples were not much better and the motility and morphology of the Hens Teeth Swimmers were not 'optimal'.

I have a 13 year old son!

Now, he was the result of 6 cycles of ICSI but he still exists and he came from one of those sperms!

So, what I'm saying is that it could happen naturally, it could need help and it might not be easy but there is hope!

I'm sorry for your loss OP
Other than you having a blood test, have you had any other fertility work up? HSG or hycosy, AMH, STI checks on your both?

I'm not familiar with proxeed sachets, but a google search shows it doesn't contact lycopene. I read articles when we were TTC, that a lycopene supplement in men can be beneficial in improving sperm quality. Lycopene is naturally occurring in red/orange fruit and veg. Strangely, the lycopene is higher when the fruit/veg is processed! So ketchup, has more lycopene than a tomato! Like majority of the 'studies' its hard to find scientific papers proving a benefit. My consultant said they are worth taking, if they aren't breaking the bank!

Is IVF available in your area? Would you consider this? Depending on your age, I'd be asking for a fertility referral by your GP now. By the time you actually get an appointment, you might fall naturally anyways. x

@koolkatxx My partner’s results were very similar (worse motility and 2% morphology). He was on the same supplements as yours. Originally motility was much worse so all the supps definitely helped. I’m now pregnant after 2 years TTC. I was eventually diagnosed with silent mild endometriosis removed by an op so that might have been our issue all along… we’ll never know but it is worth exploring if you have exhausted everything else and pre ivf. I know first hand how difficult the struggle is, it really is so gruelling I’m sorry. I hope that gives some reassurance at least on the sperm test side of things. X

@koolkatxx
We conceived after 19 long months with 1/2% and are currently 12 months into TTC #2
2nd time round we have implemented lifestyle changes from day 1 (cut down on alcohol, vitamins, loose underwear, no baths or cycling, brazil nuts etc) and it hasn't made much difference so far 🤷🏻‍♀️
From reading about morphology the evidence is uncertain.
I guess its hard to know when to give up and move onto assisted fertility, I know from my own research that up to 2 years is normal - depends whether you want to wait that long.