Improving sperm count success stories

[Anniekent1]

Has anyone (or their partner ) managed to improve sperm count after seeing a urologist ? My partner has cryptozoospermia with less than 100k sperm. Told natural chances are 0% and even ivf is low as prob also likely to have high DNA fragmentation. Feeling pretty low with it and looking for some hope and success stories

Thanks 🙏

Yes we did, my partner had varicocele and we saw a urologist and were advised to undergo an embolisation. However in parallel we also did IVF + ICSI prior to embolisation and he had low sperm count with very high DNA fragmentation. We were very fortunate to get pregnant with our first transfer. You definitely have a chance don't rule it out. Good luck xx

Hi @SAbs86 thank you for replying. He has a grade 1 varicocele but she didn't seem to confident that this was the reason for the low numbers so doesn't even recommend this treatment. Just feel so lost

I'm not sure what grade varicocele my partner had but he definitely had high DNA fragmentation and ICSI worked for us. Have you already seen a urologist? We saw Mr Jonathan Ramsey who specialises in male infertility. He is fantastic and I would highly recommend. He recommended the way forward to give us the best chance. I have also read many success stories of cases worse than yours. Please don't lose hope. X

Hi @SAbs86 did you do anything other than the varicocele treatment ? We have had a look at Jonathan Ramsey but he has a long waiting list so are looking at other recommended urologists. Think she has just made us feel pretty rubbish with the language of 'with such low numbers it's no chance ' that we have been really crushed. We had hoped she would give us some feedback on tips and what to do but that may be more from the urologist.

So glad it has worked for you though and really hope that it means there is a chance for us at some point. Thank you again for replying it feels such a lonely world so nice to know someone understands

@Anniekent1 Mr Ramsey recommended a nutritionist who gave us a list of supplements and foods to incorporate into our diet. There is also a book called It Starts with the Egg by Rebecca Fett which has a section on sperm quality - would recommend to read this.

Was it a GP that told you that you didn't have a chance? I wouldn't listen to be honest, I think you should speak to a urologist. It is a bit of a minefield navigating the world of infertility I have read lots of forums to get tips.

It does feel lonely :-( we were devastated too when we first found we didn't have a chance naturally. I found having a plan helped me feel a bit more back in control.

Hey, do you have a copy of that list of vitamins and foods to share?

DH had an awful SA in May or so, which improved somewhat more recently, but we're hoping to improve it further. He doesn't smoke anything or drink.

Our appointment with a urologist won't be until the new year sometime so we're looking for anything we can take or do in the meantime to improve things.

@Tintinuviel Hi for my husband he was taking ubiquinol, omega 3, alpha-lipoic acid, l'carnitine, a multivitamin, symprov, viridian and Impryl.

I also took supplements - ubiquinol, NAC, optibac, a multi vitamin and folate.

Diet wise we reduced our carbs, leafy greens, reduced sugar intake, more protein, and lots of blueberries and strawberries.

Thr urologist said my egg quality might have helped repair some of the DNA fragmentation within the sperm. So even if your tests came back fine its worth you taking supplements too.

Hope that helps.

Thanks, that's really useful! The wealth of supplements out there is kind of overwhelming tbh !