Starting IVF with Known MFI

[WhatelsecouldIbecalled]

Just wondered if there is anyone else out there starting IVF with known Male Factory Infertility?

My DH and I are about halfway through the process. Known issues with sperm basically doesn’t have a lot and those that he does have don’t swim in the right direction!

Anyone else out there want to buddy along?!

[kelou75]

Hi @whatelsecouldibecalled I asked the nurse today re ICSI/ ivf and she said they would aim to fertilise any / all eggs they collect regardless of the procedure they carry out. For us it will depend on the day wether it be ICSI or IVF and she said they could end up deciding to do half and half. I think it will be ICSI as the first consultant said it would be a miracle if we got pg naturally when he reviewed my other half’s semen results. The embryologist then monitors the eggs, and will grade the embryos and decide what, if any suitable to put back, or if any suitable to freeze.
I feel relief we are getting going but nervous at all the if’s n buts ...probs cos I’m a lil bit of a control freak 😬🤦🏻‍♀️

[AniSL]

Hi

We have MFI, one failed cycle overseas but will be returning next month for round 2. DH has is complete azoospermic, no sperm found in any sample provided, even after months of various vitamins and tablets. We were told little chances of him having any sperm by the NHS, we didnt meet funding criteria as at 35 I was too old.
Our clinic in Greece do ICSI as standard and recommended TESE where they found plenty of healthy viable sperm, enough to freeze plenty of vials for future ICSI.

[WhatelsecouldIbecalled]

@kelou ah that makes perfect sense. Thanks for your reply. I’m also a bit of a control freak so finding all of this pretty hard!!

[smith1986]

@pumpkin, have you had blood tests etc.. the doctor will do them all but amh for free, you right the treatment is so expensive here :-(

@whatelse
it depends how many eggs you have, how many are mature and how many fertilize, i had 6 eggs, 4 mature and only 1 fertilized.
i did have a few issues with a cyst so i hope this time i respond better.
but we shall see.
i've been taking ubiqunol this time which is suppose to help egg quality (even tho its mfi) my amh went down from 21 to 16.4 after my last ivf, so thought why not give it a try.

[Pumpkin18]

@Smith yeah I've had all blood tests except amh, and I've had a smear and swab for chlamydia

[smith1986]

@AniSL

sorry about your failed cycle, we hold out so much hope in them very long 2 weeks, its heartbreaking when its a bfn. Great news about the TESE. good luck on your next cycle.

[AniSL]

Hi

Thanks but we didnt make it to implantation, embies didnt make it to day 5, hopefully next time we get more eggs for fertilisation

[WhatelsecouldIbecalled]

@AniSL I’m so sorry to hear that. Really hope your next cycle is a little better

[smith1986]

@AniSL
Sorry to hear that Hun, really hope you have a better cycle this time x

[AniSL]

Thanks both, I am oddly ok with what happened. When we got the call to let us know, yes we were disappointed but we both felt that it wasnt meant to be at that point. We took the amazing positive result of finding good quality sperm (which the NHS told us was not possible) and all egga being grade A (kept hearing oh u wont have decent eggs because of your age and blah blah blah)as our blessing and knewwe had crossed major hurdles for the next cycle.

I have noticed we are really relaxed compared to a lot of people on here, not sure why. Fingers crossed, but we really don't stress over the procedure or cycle, I had no side effcts of the medication or egg retrieval either. Only one traumatic part was having to administer injections to DH, I will never do that again.

[OstrichRunning]

Yes, more than one, in my clinic anyway they fertilised all mature eggs collected (some of mine weren't mature, which means they can't be fertilised). Then over the next 3-5 days the embryologists watch and wait; not all fertilised eggs make it to embryo stage. They keep you posted every day. Sometimes they recommend a 3 day transfer (i.e. 3 days after egg collection), sometimes a 5 day transfer, if for example you have more than one fertilised egg and they are doing well. Those few days can be nail biting.

[ckc45d10]

Research does suggest that CoQ10 may help support fertility in men (and women). Have you thought about natural diet and lifestyle changes?

[WhatelsecouldIbecalled]

We have done natural diet. In terms of lifestyle changes. I don’t really drink, DH does occasionally but not much, we don’t smoke, we eat well, exercise well without it being excessive so ready had the lifestyle bit. We have tried to increase more recommended things into diet. Been at that for 6 months now and not seen an improvement in samples. We both also take recommended supplements. Have just bought some cq10 to take too in the hope this might help a little bit.

[WhatelsecouldIbecalled]

Anyone else take coq10?! I have a very senesitive stomach and used to have to take tablet to reduce stomach acid. This is under control now but the coq10 seems to be making me feel sick 😕

[smith1986]

@whatelse

i'm taking ubiquinol softgel capsules, no side effects. i think its all the same just ubiquinol is coq10 advanced form.

[AniSL]

I am taking Ubiquinol (pure more easily absorved version of coq10). Had no issues either.

[WhatelsecouldIbecalled]

@smith and @ansil where do you buy it from? Thanks

[smith1986]

@whatelse
i get mine from amazon, swanson ubiquinol £28.00 for 60 100mg capsules
i take 200 mg a day.

[AniSL]

I choose between Natures best, Jarrow or Solgar. I get 200mg caps and take 400mg a day. I buy from amazon too or ebay

[ckc45d10]

Qunol ubiquinol/CoQ10 which is made to be water and fat-soluble for better absorption. Look into absorportion for all your supplements, and it would be better to review them with your doctor or a Registered Dietitian for safety and effectiveness to make sure you are getting the most out of them!

[WhatelsecouldIbecalled]

One step closer today! Blood results have come back all clear. Comforting to know I have a full bill of health haha! No Hep A, Hep B, Hep C, HIV, Rubella and a good full blood count! Phew! Slowly getting there!

[smith1986]

thats great news @whatelse, fingers crossed you get the go ahead soon :-)
ive just got my schedule and start my buserelin on the 16th sept and have my scratch on the 14th x

[Pumpkin18]

Hi guys how is everyone going here? We had our fertility clinic appointment yesterday and the gaenocologist was really good - he did an examination on my husband and gave him a blood test and explained all results fully.
Next step for us is IVF with icsi so we have a consultation booked with the clinic in Czech for next month. We also went to an open evening at a clinic here, we can't really afford to use them but my DH got a lot out of it to help him understand the process and get some questions answered. We also spoke with a nutritionist there which was helpful. All in all it was a really positive and informative day but now feeling a bit scared about the actual process and that it won't work first time which lets face it is more than likely. I have been really hopeful so far but want to be realistic now and not go in expecting it to work but keeping fingers crossed.