Low sperm count - where to go from here?

[closephine85]

So DH and I have been going round in circles for the last year. 2 semen analyses came back with the result of 'borderline' normal - counts of 14million/ml with low motility. All the vitamins taken and the first month of IUI this month - sperm count was just 4million/ml pre wash and 3 million afterwards although motility had improved. We can't understand why there would be a drop when he's been working so hard to improve it. But I guess my real question is, what should we do next? There has been no mention of any referral to see if we can get to the bottom of it, we've just been told to keep going with IUI. Everything I read online suggests that IUI needs at least 15 million to be successful with greatest success over 20 million. I just don't want to keep wasting all this time. We already have a 4 year old DS and I feel like all this stress is bound to be impacting on him. I just want this resolved one way or another now!

Has anyone conceived either naturally or with IUI with these kind of counts?!

Thanks in advance and sorry for the waffle. Feel like my head is permanently scrambled!

[closephine85]

Thanks Lugo, yes I agree with you that we need to ask for a referral. Really would like to get to the bottom of it, or at least try, before going for ivf (if it comes to it).

[lugo40]

My husband also has low count but very low - 0.1 million per ml and poor motility - best we got was 4% .

He also researched and found fertalisan m the best so bas been taking that.

He got referred to urology for tests into why it's low and poor motility. Urologist has now referred us to Jonathan Ramsay, a specialist in male infertility. We've not been referred to fertility yet but we're both really pleased he is being investigated properly Rather than just jumping into treatment which may be a waste of time. I no our situation is different as dh results are much lower but if I was you I would be pushing for a urology referral to be thoroughly investigated so that the right fertility treatment is given.

Good luck!

[closephine85]

Oh ranchgirl so sorry to hear about your losses. This whole journey is cruel enough without having to go through that when you think you've finalky made it

[ranchgirl]

First time I was on 450 Gonal F. Second time I was on 300 Gonal F and 150 Menapur.

[Hyland]

Do you mind me asking what drugs you took that you had a bad reaponse to, was is the type or the quantity or both.

So so sad you lost your two little angels.

Hope all goes well for you on the next cycle that you try.

[ranchgirl]

We are both 40 so we just got on with it. His results were definitely better. He even bought looser underpants!

First cycle completely failed - poor response to drugs.

Second cycle with different cocktail was much better. We had a twin pregnancy but sadly lost both at 6 weeks very recently.

Really hoping that was just bad luck as next time will probably be our last.

[closephine85]

Thanks ranchgirl - did you have success with Icsi if you don't mind me asking? I think we might just have to bite the bullet and go private.

We're his results better when it was for treatment?

He's been taking fertilsan - he did quite a lot of research - (he has a medical background) and decided that was the best one. He's not overweight, neither of us have really had alcohol since we started trying over 2 years ago - he probably doesn't do enough exercise so is going to start cycling to work (with a cushioned saddle!)

Did you DH ever have any investigations to try and find out why he is low or have you just accepted it as one of those things?

[ranchgirl]

My husband I have gone through ICSI because of his low sperm count that are all a bit special and rubbish swimmers.

We've found results have differed quite a bit when he did his sample for the hospital and then we he did his deed for the actual treatment.

Is he on zinc and selenium? Cut out booze, exercise. Lots of beans too (which worried me knowing my husband!) Good luck.