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Conception

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Original poster

Dh has crap sperm...implications?

35 replies

downbutnotout · 02/06/2008 20:50

We have 1 dd (4) and 3mcs since and I am currently 5.5 weeks pg. As it was taking a long time for me to get pg this time we embarked on fertility tests, but with impeccable timing I then conceived.

The thing is we have now got the test results back and apparently dh's sperm are rubbish: not enough, poor motility, high abnormalities. No great surprise as he has smoked for nearly thirty years and likes a drink or five. BUT I am wondering: could this possibly have a bearing on the mcs - are we conceiving unhealthy embryos due to poor quality sperm?

Hoping for some enlightenment, as I'm wondering what the prospects of the current pg are....

OP posts:
Original poster
downbutnotout · 03/06/2008 13:57

bump

OP posts:
Seashell71 · 03/06/2008 14:11

mmh, it's a bit disrespectful to call your dh's sperm "crap" and "rubbish" imo. Sorry but I had to tell you!

Original poster
downbutnotout · 03/06/2008 14:17

Thanks - I was feeling a bit glum but you've cheered me right up!!!

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Original poster
downbutnotout · 03/06/2008 14:21

But seriously, dh is philosophical about his poor quality sperm given his lifestyle choices and the fact he has managed to get me pregnant five times.

But I do really want to know whether poor quality sperm make poor quality embryos - does anyone know the answer?

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whomovedmychocolate · 03/06/2008 14:25

No. Actually the opposite is true, the most potent sperm are the ones that make the trip safely the rest die on the way mostly. It's very unlikely that crap sperm caused your miscarriages.

The other thing to say is that sperm quality can improve. DH had high volumes but low semen levels - so lots of swimmers but no pool to swim in. They need it for food and to protect them from the cells that the vagina keeps specially for killing invaders (yep I know sounds a bit like star wars - and it is).

Too much alcohol and fags won't help, but quite honestly, I'd say that there would be a lot less kids in the world if this is all it took to stop conception!

But if you both looked at your lifestyle, perhaps you'd get further anyway. Or in any case you'd both feel better.

BTW, we were told we couldn't possibly conceive without IVF, we both have problems - I'm 32 weeks with my second baby and have had two miscarriages. Luck of the draw I say!

Original poster
downbutnotout · 03/06/2008 14:25

And for what it's worth when you've been ttc a healthy baby for three years, a little disrespectful levity is essential for maintaining your sanity, imho.

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whomovedmychocolate · 03/06/2008 14:30

I'm not going to criticise because you do get to the point where you look at your partner and think 'hang on a second...I'm the one going through the majority of the hardship here and you aren't helping getting pissed'

I do understand your view on that - but you kind of have to accept people as they are. He's probably been the way he has for a while now. Is it worth changing husband to get one with different faults? Probably not.

There is a book called 'Zita West's Guide to getting pregnant ' which has a lot of info about sperm health and lifestyles for conception.

Original poster
downbutnotout · 03/06/2008 14:31

Thanks chocolate!

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Original poster
downbutnotout · 03/06/2008 14:32

Sorry - previous remark about levity not really aimed at you - was an x-post!

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Original poster
downbutnotout · 03/06/2008 14:33

And am really not contemplating changing dh, crap sperm or no crap sperm

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emma2617 · 03/06/2008 15:01

Hi downbutnotout can I join the crap sperm club?! (and my DP knows how I refer to his little swimmers - or floaters cos they just won't move - and he doesn't mind!!)

He also has poor motility and 94% levels of abnormality!

But to answer your question poor quality sperm has no implication on an embryo. The quality of the DNA is not affected, just there ability to move and do the job! Once your egg has been feritlised its the same as if he had 100% perfect sperm! We had this conversation with doctor when we found out.

And my partner is blaming himself for taking too many drugs in his youth (he was a proper rebel!!) and now drinking more than he should...but changing habits now can make a difference!

Original poster
downbutnotout · 03/06/2008 15:34

Hooray - we have a club! Shall we make badges?

Thanks for the response - I suspected this to be the case, but I spend so much time obsessing about these matters I just wanted to check.

Your dp sounds like he would get on just fine with dh, btw. Wishing you luck with your crap sperm!

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emma2617 · 03/06/2008 17:26

Badges...yes please!! however I'm not sure DP would appreciate me advertising the fact!!

When I first joined MN I asked about bad sperm and no-one else seemed to be in same boat...glad to know someone else is in same boat...although not good for you!

emma2617 · 03/06/2008 17:27

Badges...yes please!! however I'm not sure DP would appreciate me advertising the fact!!

When I first joined MN I asked about bad sperm and no-one else seemed to be in same boat...glad to know someone else is in same boat...although not good for you!

pinkmook · 03/06/2008 17:30

Hey my DH has cack sperm too! woohoo high fives other ladies

I know my DH wouldnt get pissy about me describing them as cack either

My dh had a vasectomy reversal last july and has :

Motility = 20%
count= 11.3 million/ml
morphology = 8.9% normal.

has anyone concieved over 30 wih sperm this cack!?

whomovedmychocolate · 03/06/2008 21:14

Downbutnotout - I suggest a badge should say something cryptic like 'poor swimmers club' to save blushes!

mummy2olivia · 03/06/2008 21:26

My DH has had a sperm analysis last year- 117 million sperm per ml but only 6% morphology - however clinic said not to worry as quantity makes up for it- is that right? think ive got that right. not sure if thats a dodgy result or not but have got him on loads of vits and no alcohol anyway.

Anyway, we have conceived, I miscarried but after 15 months we got there. Checked out the lesley reagen info on this and she says no- if the sperm was dodgy it wouldnt even get to the stage of penetrating the egg.

I was worried about this too. Now am just worried about TTC again!!! We are just gonna do the same as before- shag like rabbits. It does absolutely no harm to quantity of sperm but can improve quality cos it gives the little buggers more space- zita west says so, so it must be true!! worked for us anyway.

For what its worth and I'm sure Chocolate will agree cos she is an absolute guru (waves at chocolate- meant to CAT you but my subscription ran out, need to renew) EVERY man in England has prob got a little bit on his SA that is not up to scratch but they are being made all the time SO you can change it!!

wannaBe · 03/06/2008 21:34

at the risk of sounding harsh here, while I know that one has to retain a sense of humour after ttc for a long time, I do think it's slightly unfair to refer to dh's sperm as crap.

I think dh's are under an immense amount of pressure to perform and to put up with the endless emotions of the ttc process, so when the problem is theirs they find it very hard to deal with, even though they may seem ok about it all on the surface.

If the problem was yours and your dh referred to you as having crap ovaries wouldn't it touch a nerve somewhat?

mummy2olivia · 03/06/2008 21:35

Hello Wannabe

dont know if you will remember me (Ammy?)

Hope you are ok- are you still TTC. I've seen you on here a couple of times- hope you are ok.

mummy2olivia · 03/06/2008 21:38

I would feel upset if my ovaries were called crap.

My DH says his sperm is in abundance but going the wrong way!! We do laugh about it!!

Story of hope......

my friends DH had an AWFUL (not crap!!) sperm analysis- forgot about TTC as it seemed impossible. Their DD is 5 months, and her DH didnt even give up smoking some people are born lucky!!!

Original poster
downbutnotout · 03/06/2008 22:27

I'm going to have to disagree with you there wannabe as I honestly don't believe it is in any way possible for you to know what is harsh for either me or dh without knowing us personally or what we have been through together.

My ovaries probably are crap - I have had three mcs after all ....

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pinkmook · 04/06/2008 07:24

Sorry wannabe I have to disagree too....My ovaries are crap! We joke about it...and his crap sperm, we are a fertility disaster!

As down but not out says - you cant possibly comment on someone else's relationship in this way as you haven't met,seen, experienced the struggle we've had, we deal with it in our own way and calling my ovaries crap and his sperm rubbish actually de-personalises it in a way since thats not really about blaming each other, its about blaming the notion of an organ /cells we can't even see.

Original poster
downbutnotout · 04/06/2008 13:07

Thanks pinkmook - I told dh about the comments on this thread and he says he is thinking of having a t-shirt made with "Free the crap sperm one" on the front

Anyhoo - I am 38 and dh is nearly 42. His stats are 9 million sperm, 20% motility and 1% normal morphology. What he does have is plenty of volume. But, as I've said before, with these undoubtedly rubbish stats he has knocked me up five times and so far one of those occasions resulted in a happy, healthy dd (and I'm keeping my fingers crossed about the current pg). So I think there is hope for everyone!

Good luck all

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pinkmook · 04/06/2008 13:41

Downbutnotout - WOW did it take you long to conceive each time?

We have been trying for nearly a year now with no luck - but my god your story has given me hope!

I'll put DH's name down for one of those T shirts

pinkmook · 04/06/2008 13:44

....or for the t'shirt "free the one crap sperm" LOL boom boom!