Morphology 4%

[TheCatsPaws]

DP got this on his analysis. Are we right in thinking this is a bit low? I know 4% is supposedly normal but it is the lowest it can be before considered abnormal. DP is very young and so were both a bit shocked.

Our problem is miscarriages not getting pregnant. I’ve read a few studies linking low morphology to this but nothing concrete.

Advice?

It's on the low side of normal. As you say, 4% is the lowest figure before things are considered abnormal.

SA can vary though. My DH has had three now, and he's had morphology of 9%, 6% and 4% respectively.

Don't despair. It's a far from terrible result. How was everything else? Have you had DNA fragmentation testing? That can be a cause of miscarriages.

There's always things he can do to boost his swimmers too Try to have as little booze as possible and no smoking. Diet should be well balanced, with plenty of fruit and veg. Supplements can help as well. I've heard proxeed is very good (although its pricey) My own DH managed to boost his motility on a slightly DIY mix of Wellman Conception, high strength vit D and C and L arginine.

Good luck

Oh and youth had nothing to do with it sadly My DH is 23 and his first SA came back 17% for overall motility. I was horrified. I'm an old bird, and I'd hoped his sperm would make up for my knackered old eggs.

We also did a sperm improvement plan with Serum Clinic in Greece twice. It's very hardcore antibiotics, but his motility leapt from 17% overall to 37% rapid progressive in five months.

He had a high count and 58% motility, so everything else was good.

We haven’t had that yet. They were a bit reluctant to test us as we are early 20s and two of the miscarriages were chemicals, but we pushed them to do something. My bloods were fine except my I estradiol seemed a bit low.

Yeah I suspect that is the problem. DP barely eats and drinks 2l of coke and 4 cups of coffee each day, but after this he’s stopped especially as he read about caffeine damaging sperm. I think it’s worried him. I’m relieved after me taking every vitamin under the sun that he’s doing this.

I’m 23 and he is 21. We naively expected this to be easy especially as I have a child from a previous relationship.

Yes, 4% is boarderline. Average is 15% and 1 in 20 men will have morphology at 44%+.

Some men just have low morphology (like my DH at 0%) but otherwise it isn’t much to do with age (unless he’s 45+) but could be down to poor lifestyle. So he needs to make sure he doesn’t smoke or drink, wears loose pants, eats very healthy (8-10+ of his 5 a day) and take supplements. The specialist supplements are Profertil and Proxeed.

And as Isthismummy says, DNA fragmentation is the thing to test for as it’s been linked to miscarriages. It would give you a better insight as his semen parameters are fine for getting pregnant.

JoJo how much can lifestyle improve it? DP is rubbish with eating well so I’m hoping that might help.

Lifestyle can make massive improvement- if it’s currently poor, then you could see some amazing improvements. Don’t know his count but motility is average and morphology low is he could as well try. But yes, overall his parameters are normal and in don’t point to having anything to do with your bad luck so far. Only the DNA fragmentation test could possibly reveal something.

I think it was 108 million per ml but I’ll check later.

We also did a sperm improvement plan with Serum Clinic in Greece twice. It's very hardcore antibiotics, but his motility leapt from 17% overall to 37% rapid progressive in five months.

Did you have to travel for that?

If the count is around 100m/ml, then it’s all absolutely fine overall.

JoJo it’s still fine? We weren’t sure because of the 4%. So this isn’t going to be linked to the miscarriages at all? I’ve just got a squinter and I’m terrified that it’s going to happen again so if these results ARE fine that will be a relief...

Not at first Battleax I did their hidden infections test (where you send your period to Greece. Nice) and we were both prescribed antibiotics. The second course was given to him when I went over there for a Hysteroscopy.

There's some controversy regarding the hidden c testing and sperm protocols. My current clinic politely told me it's bollocks His motility did improve though, so I think there might be something in it.

Interesting. Thanks

OP, I’ve never heard of morphology being linked to miscarriages. Just sperm DNA fragmentation. Good luck with the current pregnancy!