Sperm morphology help

[FingersXssd83]

So.... DH got his SA results on the phone last week. Said it was acceptable. He's medical and wanted the full report so we have that now and can see that motility, count and total are all really high. However morphology has come back at 1% (should be 4%). I believe morphology isn't often above double figures.

Because the rest of his stats are high I'm assuming the docs think there shouldn't be an issue.

That said, we're TTC#1 Cycle 9 and not getting any younger (I'm 34 and had a 21 day test which came back fine, DH is 37) so eager to move things along as much as possible.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Should we not worry too much? Are there any tips you can share to improve morphology?

Thanks in advance! X

[Trinpy]

If everything else is very good then 1% is still a lot of perfectly formed sperm.

My dh had 0% morphology in both samples tested and we conceived naturally 3x. 2 of these times was first month of ttc. Iirc, he did take vitamin supplements for male fertility at one point but I have no idea whether it did anything as we conceived perfectly well without them.

[Trinpy]

Forgot to say, the consultant we saw at the time didn't seem at all concerned about the low morphology since everything else was within normal parameters.

[FingersXssd83]

Hi @Trinpy that's reassuring to hear and thanks for replying.

I've bought Wellman Conceive and additional Vit C today to help. I'm also trying to encourage him to cut back on the alcohol and eat much more healthily.

Out of interest how long did it take for you to conceive the baby who took longer than a month and how old were you?

It feels like such a lottery, trying my best to practice being patient

[ColdTeddy]

It took 18 months, I was mid twenties, DH was mid thirties. However the reason it took this long was due to obvious ovulatory issues.

[Trinpy]

Sorry namechange fail there!

[Slightlyperturbedowlagain]

It took us 18 months tc with DH’s sperm count which varied between low and nonexistent due to vasectomy reversal. (Beware though 2nd DS was a bit of a shock 3 yrs later as we just figured we’d got lucky the first time and it wouldn’t happen again) Hope it works out. It’s so difficult living with the uncertainty isn’t it- I always felt that ttc for ages would be fine if you knew for sure it would happen one day.

[FingersXssd83]

Thanks all!

Yes it's hard not being in control with these things but your advice has definitely helped to reassure me.

The result could have been a lot worse so I'm grateful for that.

I have booked a doc appointment in April where I'll be asking for a referral so we're in the process at least!

I wish everyone well with getting the the result they want soon on this board xx

[twinkledag]

DH has low morphology. We conceived DS via IVF.

To improve sperm he needs to cut out alcohol and smoking and up the supplements, vitamin C, zinc, selenium, etc. Loose boxers. No laptop on laps.

Good luck.

[FingersXssd83]

Thanks for the recommendations @twinkledag What % morphology was your husband? Because my DH has a high count the report suggests that his low morphology isn't a problem but I can't quite get my head around it because low is low surely?

[twinkledag]

He has a had a few tests over the years and morphology has always been 1 or 2%.

[FingersXssd83]

Gosh, glad we have a doc appointment to push for a referral then. We're on cycle 9 (I'm 34) and although we haven't been trying for 12 cycles, I'm planning on lying and saying it's been a year (wrong I know!). At least we'll then be in a process for going to the fertility clinic.

[twinkledag]

Get your husband on the lifestyle changes too.

Good luck

[reddressblueshoes]

We were the same ages exactly when we started ttc, it took about six cycles to conceive the first time, then I miscarried, and nine cycles to conceive the second time. We were just starting tests when I became pregnant. One thing we had done was multivitamin and zinc for DH for ages, plus v little alcohol and cutting back on coffee to one cup a day for two cycles before we conceived (that was v v hard for him). We were also doing sperm meets egg, in general I think part of the issue was I was ovulating later in my cycle than I realised. Ultimately having sex every second day aside from when I had my period was I think key, though it's pretty tough.

I also took multivitamin and co-enzyme q10. Literally no idea if any of that worked, but 12 weeks now and all going well. You're both still really young, you have many years to consider further help if you need it but I know it's frustrating.

[RyvitaBrevis]

If his count and motility are high, he could therefore still have 2-3 times as many perfectly formed sperm as someone with merely acceptable count and motility but better morphology.

[FingersXssd83]

Thanks for your commment @RyvitaBrevis His count is 5x above the cut off, motility is almost double and total no. is 11x so I guess they're thinking there's enough even if quite a few are oddly shaped.

Was very proud of DH last night, we went out and both didn't have a drink (DH is working today unfortunately!).

Considering it would have been Dec when his test sample were being produced and it being a month for indulgence, I'm hoping this will give us a boost along with him starting Wellman and Vit C.

I can tell that he's getting a little frustrated with his result and how long this is taking. We've just booked a summer holiday so hopefully that will be the chalice I've seen it be for so many people getting their BFP!

[FingersXssd83]

And thanks for your encouragement @reddressblueshoes It's hard not to feel that we're getting old when the mythical age 35 is approaching!

Going to check the zinc quantity in Wellman shortly x

[RiverRose]

We had morphology issues. DH's result came back as 0.5% - all other stats were high.

In the run up to IVF he took vitamins and cut down on coffee. Just before IVF his morphology came back as 3%. Much improved or may have just shown that his results can swing up and down.

We had standard IVF in the end (rather than the anticipated ICSI) as his sample was of good enough quantity. We conceived first IVF cycle.

Good luck OP, hope you conceive soon