Male factor + ivf success stories

[thislittlebird]

Hi all, I’m struggling to be optimistic right now about our chances with ivf in the coming months, it’s coming up to two years ttc for us. Would love to hear from anyone who has a story of male factor infertility ivf success to share. I’ve just turned 38 and DH is 39. TIA!

Hi all. Urologist appointment confirms right side varicoceles which is quite rare and means further ultrasound for my other half to rule out kidney problems. I'm devastated for him as Dr Google is not so positive. Waiting game continues. This is so hard 😢

@Lulu106 sorry to read this. Hopefully this means you've gotten to the root of the problem and can sort it out.

@Lulu106 sorry it’s been tough news, as @Delectable says, hopefully you’ll get a clear way forward. I hope you’re both doing OK. It’s super hard, but try not to catastrophise over unknowns, hopefully you’ll have some clarity soon and until then (I know it’s easy to say and hard to do) try to avoid the “what-ifs” xx

@thislittlebird just looking back at comments and wondering how you're getting on?

Hi @Lulu106! I need to catch up here but we’re making a little progress finally.

We got the results from husband’s end of May in-depth SA and comet test this week (long delay 😴) and there was good news. He has a small varicocele but nothing of note, and his motility had gone from 9% in March to 26% in May, his morphology went from 2.5% in March to 8%, and his comet scores were ok for his age, he’ll be 40 in a few months. He had 0% high dna damage which was great to hear. Obviously he might have some on another day but fingers crossed it should stay low.

We were very pleased seeing improved results and assume the supplements (impryl and ubiquinol especially ) and daily ejaculation must have been working. He now needs to keep it up and I need to keep up my supplements too.

The urologist basically said we’re free to start ICSI as soon as we want, and then we saw the ivf clinic doctor who has drawn up a plan and we start in late September/early October. Can’t start before that as I need to wait a month after my second MMR dose for it to leave my system.

How are you getting on? I see you had bad news on the varicocele front. Is there a plan for that in place? It’s such a shitty journey from beginning to end, I hope you’re ok.

Hi guys, so thought I’d do an update on here that I had shared on another old thread. I can only share what my story & firm opinions are, based on that story, in an effort to help people. It doesn’t mean I’m right but of course I think I’m right - get your DH/partner all the investigations & treatment necessary (however elusive/hypothetical/ intangible those seem). Spend the time and spend the money if you possibly can, however frustrating it is that you can’t get on with IVF. While treating MFI is (unbelievably) in its relative infancy as a concept (comet testing etc only started in last decade) it accounts for 50% of what’s needed to get your baby. Don’t forget that! We are 4yrs TTC. I am 38 (39 next month) my DH 37. We did x1 unsuccessful round ICSI IVF 2019 & Had separate, miraculously naturally conceived, miscarriage at 9wks 2020. V long time and lots of research to realise how important it would be to get comet testing done for DH and to take action after that: 6-12ms of taking proxeed, varicosele (even tho it was ‘just a small one,’ to be removed) and to follow a special protocol of daily ejaculation for 20days, then only 36hr abstention, before giving ejaculte specimen to test. It limits time the sperm has swimming around in whatever is causing toxicity. We were under Dr Yap (Famous Dr Ramsay’s protege) via Lister referral to London Urology Associates. After a cancer scare (thank God he was lucky it wasn’t) my DH had his varicocele embolised in April. You have to wait about 12 weeks and get dna frag test again, which we did, results show massive improvement: He’s gone from 46% average dna fragmentation, down to 30% frag; most brilliantly, the proportion of ‘high’ dna damaged sperm has gone down from 38% to just 4% and the number of ‘best’ sperm is up to 64%! (Ref: >70% needed to be classified ‘fertile.’).This is the result from just one, small varicosele that they said they might as well remove if we could afford it + about 10months on Proxeed antioxidants + no hot baths/loose boxers+ ejaculating every day for 20days and then abstain for 24/36hrs and then giving sample. So… we’re doing our second IVF with IMSI at the Lister hospital atm. I’m currently day 8 on the hormone injections. The journey has been so long and you get so good at being philosophical (when you’re not arguing or crying about it! There’s a lot of that too!)While those sperm results were amazing and such a ray of hope, particularly for DH, and I am excited and being as positive as possible, I still dread the possibility of it not working. It’s so, so hard. Seeing the stories on here help you not to feel so alone - thanks everyone - and I will try to provide updates on here over the next couple of weeks, as a bit of a ‘live cycle.’ Anyway - wish us luck, as I do for you, ladies - I’m so sorry it’s so hard, painful, expensive and generally sh*t! All we can do is take our best crack at this, all of us - big hugs to anyone needing it who is reading this, Xx

@KnockingForty good to hear your story and fingers crossed for this round. I swear the daily ejaculation has done wonders for my DH. He’s going to keep it all up and hope it stays improved for our ICSI (likely with IMSI too) in September/October. We’re also with the Lister.

@thislittlebird such positive news to hear. Really pleased for you both.

We're still a little in the dark. My partners ultrasound in June showed bilateral varicoceles. He saw the urologist on Tuesday who said he couldn't feel a left varicoceles but could feel a right one which is unusual. He wants my partner to have an ultrasound on his kidneys in case there is a causal link. This has shaken us both. However, the urologist was quite matter of a fact about it and said he would like to embolize the varicoceles but thinks we can have treatment in parallel.

This week my partner needs to give a sample so it can be frozen. I'm confused because last analysis in June showed 0% morphology and this hadn't changed from March even with supplements and homeopathy. His concentration did more than double though and his motility has been a little variable.

Sorry for too much information but not many people seem to understand the struggle.

Keep us posted
💕

Thanks team for the updates, it gives me a little boost hearing how you’re all getting on. We have a consultation on Tuesday where we’ll hopefully find out the plan for our IVF / ICSI protocol and what next. Feels like it’s been such a bloody rollercoaster just getting to this point that I’m actually feeling really excited for the appointment.

OH is recovering amazingly from his surgery which is a real boost and makes it a bit easier to feel positive about what’s coming next.

Big love to you all, I really value having this group - nice to hear from others who understand the hideously unpredictable drama!

@BeachPeach let us know how you get on with the consultation. I know what you mean. I got weirdly excited when I got my period yesterday because it meant I had a rough idea of when the ivf would start in September. Usually I’m in tears on CD1, but we weren’t trying this month because I needed the MMR pre-ivf.

How long is the recovery time for your DH? X

Thanks @thislittlebird. Had our consultation this morning and after feeling quite balanced and positive over the last couple of weeks it feels like all my positive mindset has come crashing down today.

Found out we only get 1 NHS funded cycle in our area (I’d incorrectly thought it was 3 after what turns out to be a rubbish bit of research on my part 🙄) which shouldn’t have been a shock bet feels like a massive blow.

Also I’ve got slightly high (still within normal range but higher than ideal for fertility treatment) FSH and TSH. Which although everyone seemed pretty chill about it is a bit of a headfuck for me since all my previous tests just said I was completely within normal range for everything.

So yeah, today I’m wallowing in self pity and getting teary over adorable kids clothes in the shops we went in to cheer ourselves up. I know it could be worse, I know there’s hope etc, but today it just feels fucking shite.

Buuuut, OH is pretty much healed and back to fighting fitness AND he’s got a referral to an endocrinologist to check his levels and make sure he’s got a proper personalised testosterone therapy going forward which we’re dead happy about. So that’s good.

Infertility is shite and can get in the sea! How’s everyone else getting on? Hope you’re all having better days. Big love x

@BeachPeach oh no, I can imagine that’s very disappointing when you’d thought you’d get three rounds. We sort of expected to get one round possibly but it’s been such a cock up from start to end that we’ve been assuming we’ll need private for months now. It sucks.

Did they say there’s anything you can do about the TSH? Or anything that causes it?

I get really sad at the cute kids clothes too. It used to be soemthing I thought I’d get to buy one day but two years on I can’t think about it in case it never happens.

Good news on the husband front, but yes, it can get in the sea in a big way. Hope you’re feeling a bit better now.

@BeachPeach hang in there. There's lots that can be done to support TSH. Sending you lots of positive vibes.

I've gone past the point of cute baby clothes. Most of our friends have children that are finishing school and older. Feel like this ship has massively sailed and I'm holding on for dear life.

Having this forum is becoming a real life line.

L x

Thanks @thislittlebird and @Lulu106, you’re right, this group feels like a lifeline, feel so much better for venting to a bunch of you who understand how crap it is.

@thislittlebird hope you get some clarity on funding soon, sorry it’s been a cock up!

Not sure about the TSH, they didn’t give me much of a clue. Thinking about it, I had my bloods done on the day my partner had his surgery, so I was prrrretty stressed and hadn’t really slept properly for about a week which I know does weird things to your hormones so I’m going to put it down to that and hope my next lot of tests show it as a blip.

Hello,

We have male factor issues and are using donor sperm. At least you know that’s always a possibility!

@girljulian I’m so interested to hear more about donor sperm, how did you reach the decision, was it straightforward? Were you both on board with the idea from the start? Has it been a straightforward process to find a donor?
I’ll be honest I haven’t really considered it yet as a possibility, but like you say, it’s definitely an option.

Hi @beachpeach -- yes, for us it was straightforward as it seemed the most fuss-free option. The clinic had a contract with various donor sperm banks and we just clicked through a few people to find someone who sounded as if they were similar (colouring-wise, essentially) to DH and healthy. You know the sperm itself is excellent quality because it's been vetted to within an inch of its life, so you don't have to worry there.

My DH had no ego about using another man's sperm but I appreciate it wouldn't be such an easy decision for some, and many men would really agonise over it. I think for him it was easy because he's known for a long time that he has male factor infertility and also his father isn't really in the picture for him. He's very close to his stepfather and his half-brother, who is very like him, so in his mind, the "sperm" element of the mix is very much just, as he says, "raising agent" and not as important as the man who raises you literally.

@BeachPeach @girljulian I think we’d consider it in time. That or egg donation. But right now I’m hoping his sperm will be ok when we get there.

I think he would find it hard if that’s a route we had to go down, but he would get there eventually. I’ve been more open to egg donation since I found out someone I know used an egg donor and her kids looked just like her, it’s strange how it all works out.

I also thought about being an egg donor if I produce good eggs in the end, but I’m too old for that now and doubt I’ll have the luxury of loads to spare due to our respective ages.

@beachpeach I doubt we’ll get any funding clarity anytime soon tbh. Right now I’m just waiting for my next MMR, then need to book an appointment with the Lister nurse to run through injections. In the meantime I need to get evidence from the GP of all the tests I’ve had. I think I need to re-do my AMH, maybe get a TS3 so that’s extra cost again. My GP doesn’t seem to test for TS3.

Hi we are in a similar boat and due to start injections next week for egg collection 23rd August. My partner has very poor semen results and small varicocele but urologist said treating it may not make a difference and there are dangers in operation. I'm just wondering about the daily ejaculation we've never been told to do this and have actually been trying to limit it to every 3 days. Is it supposed to help sperm count or motility? Thanks

@try9ng sorry you also find yourself in this rubbish situation but exciting you’re starting soon. I can’t remember where we first read it but I’m sure dh started doing it pre-urologist and then the urologist agreed it was good practice.

Here’s a link to one paper raf.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/raf/1/1/RAF-20-0018.xml

My understanding is it can help motility and quality issues, which my husband has, but I haven’t looked into count because that’s not been an isssue for us. I’ve read before that it can particularly help with oxidative stress, because the sperm doesn’t get the opportunity to be exposed. Do you have one issue or both?

Hi all, trying to remain hopeful here and stoical for the future if we are disappointed again. So, having been encouraged by the, quote, ‘massive improvement’ with husband’s sperm dna frag, things are looking like they are going nearly exactly as badly as they did last time, before we had any treatment for our issues. They retrieved 10 eggs on Thurs and we were told 6 had fertilised next day. ‘Day 3’ obs/results today and at this time they’re looking for cell multiplication to be between 6 & 10. We get a phone call from the Lister crack of dawn this morning: 1 embryo gone; 1 at 3 cells and 2 at 4 cells so unlikely to develop further; 1 is at 6 and 1 at 7 cells. This is exactly what happened on our first and only go with the NHS, only 2 were left at day 3 then, 1 average and 1 average-poor and they implanted them back in me early as a ‘Hail Mary’ which we found out 2 wks later didn’t work. They offered to put those 2 back inside me today ‘if we wanted’ (hence early call). In tears with the Déjà vu of the situation, we ask if there is any benefit to putting them back in me today. They say no, just some women prefer to do that. What?! Awful, pointless decision to put on us. We decided if it makes no difference we’d be better off waiting for the day 5 update Tuesday and the scheduled implantation then if there is anything to go back in me at that point. At least, diagnostically speaking, they can observe what happens by then if they’re not inside me which could help us next time maybe. I am 39 in a couple of weeks so my eggs prob on their way out and cancelling out the improvement with my hubby’s sperm. What a rollercoaster of emotion and how hard this is. We’re still holding out hope for Tuesday of course. We have to. And I reckon there is another go in me maybe in October or something, despite the fact am suffering with mild OHSS atm - so, so tired etc. Hugs to anyone going through this - always keep hope. We are, just!

Hi everyone, is anyone still here?

We found out recently that we need ICSI if we want to have a child. DH has 0% normal forms and I have long possibly anovulatory cycles.

Im truly going out of my mind with worry about starting ICSI. To be honest feeling quite hopeless and in my heart of hearts expecting it won't work.

How has everyone got on? Any advice would be so so appreciated. Thank you

@seathistle hey, sorry this had dropped right down my list of threads.

When are you due to start? We’re in a similar boat. They aren’t sure I ovulate and DH has quality issues. If your husband isn’t on a supplement I would get him on one, my dh’s morphology improved quite a bit after three months on them.

@thislittlebird thanks for replying - I found this thread from frantically googling for reassurance 🙈 are there any others?

We have our eligibility check next month and then it's a couple more weeks until we actually speak to the dr so early days.

In all honesty I don't want to do anything during Christmas. The stress would be too much.

DH is on the wellman supplements and eating a load of Brazil nuts too.

How are you getting on? How are you feeling?

Hi everyone! My partner has 0.5 morphology and we were referred to the fertility clinic the beginning of August after unsuccessfully trying for over two years. We are now in a waiting list and we've been told that it takes normally 14-16 weeks to get an appointment with the fertility specialist. I just hope they call us soon and they spread some light on what kind of procedure is best for us (probably ICSI). Waiting is the worst part. We just hope it works. It's so frustrating and it feels like no one can understand.. without considering the fact that we are surrounded by people that seem to get pregnant so easily.
Thankfully we have this forum for positive stories and support