Trying for second baby: partner’s low motility and morphology results

[Ttcjourney123]

I’m nearly 31 and feeling a bit overwhelmed, so I thought I’d reach out here in case anyone has been through something similar 🤍

My partner and I were very lucky to conceive our now 3-year-old easily, without any tracking or medical support. This time around, we’ve been trying for a year with no success, and we’re now in the process of getting help through our GP.

My tests initially showed low oestrogen, but a repeat test 3 months later came back normal, which is reassuring. However, my partner’s results have shown low sperm morphology (2%) and progressive motility (24%). We don’t have an appointment to properly discuss this for another month, so I’m finding it hard sitting with all the unknowns.

We’ve also been referred to a fertility clinic, but the waiting list is quite long. In the meantime, I was hoping to hear from anyone who might have experience with similar results.

Has anyone had success conceiving naturally with these kinds of factors? Are these numbers something to be really worried about, or is there still a good chance?

I’m definitely an overthinker at the best of times, and this whole situation has been quite stressful. I always imagined a smaller age gap between children, but it’s looking like that might not be possible now, which has been hard to come to terms with.

Any advice, reassurance, or success stories would mean a lot right now. Thank you so much 💛
P.s - very aware we won’t be eligible for any IVF on the NHS.

Hello - I'm in a really similar position. Have a 2.5yr old DS who like you, we conceived easily. Started trying for number 2 in May 25 and expected it to be quite easy too. Took a while to get pregnant then had a miscarriage just before Christmas at 10 weeks. Haven't had any success this year despite continuing to try.

We've had tests too and my husband had low morphology (2% - same as yours) and his motility was OK but overall sperm count was low (8 million). Did your doctor recommend Proxeed? This is what ours did (this was a private consultant at the Lister) and my DH has been taking a sachet every morning and evening and completely cut out alcohol and caffeine. The other advice is no saunas/hot baths/cycling/lose weight if overweight etc. He went for his re-test last week but we don't get the results for another 3 weeks as they are testing for DNA sperm fragmentation as well.

I know you would probably have preferred a success story from the first reply! But hopefully helpful to know you're not the only one and I have the same thoughts about the age gap which I thought was going to be smaller (and similar to what my DH and I have with our siblings).

I'm 35 so age is not on my side so we are going to move straight to ISCI in June if no success beforehand (this is like IVF but when sperm count is low they inject the sperm directly into the egg). Now we are VERY lucky in that we can afford to pay privately for this, which I know is absolutely not the case for everyone (and I also think when the Gov is always banging on about how low the birth rate is, a really easy fix would be to offer IVF to couples who already have children?!)

From people I've spoken to though, sperm parameters definitely CAN be improved (whereas you can't improve egg count?!) I also think with my DH that his results could have been the same before our DS (and probs were as his lifestyle hasn't really changed) and it still worked. Wishing you luck!

Thank you so much for your reply — it really means a lot. It’s honestly so reassuring hearing from others going through something similar, and I completely agree with what you said. I’m so sorry to hear about your miscarriage as well.

I do find it really unfair that once you’ve had one child, you’re no longer eligible for support when trying for a second. It can feel so disheartening.

I’ve managed to book my partner in for another sperm analysis in June, which will be 12 weeks after his last one in March. He had one in mid-January and then a repeat in mid-March, which we now realise wasn’t the recommended gap for sperm to properly regenerate, so I’m really hoping we might see some improvement this time.

Ive also spent quite a bit on supplements for both of us after doing our own research, as we haven’t had much guidance from the GP. We’re both overweight, so we’re trying to eat better and lose some weight, although that’s definitely easier said than done as we’ve both always struggled in that area. He’s also stopped smoking since January, which I’m really hoping will make a positive difference too.

If you’re happy to share, I’d really appreciate hearing how your partner’s results turn out. And I just want to wish you the very best of luck with your procedure in June — I really hope everything goes well for you.

I feel like we’re getting to the stage where we might need to start considering going private, just so we can prepare financially if it comes to that. I’d love to believe we’ll conceive naturally again, but the cycle of trying, hoping, and then facing another negative test each month is becoming really tough. It definitely takes a toll mentally.

Wishing you all the best with everything 🤍

My DH results were similar. Is his overall count ok?

We were also recommended Proxeed, and he was told to eat loads of tomatoes for the lycopene.

Do you have sex at different times of the day? My DH's count was ok, so we would space sex like 8ish hours apart, so although there is less sperm, it was fresh and had less time hanging around and getting damaged. First thing in the morning is supposed to be when sperm is the healthiest, too.

The first month we did this timing method, we got pregnant, I miscarried sadly, but we got pregnant again the next cycle with the same technique. This was after a year of trying each month every other day around ovulation.

Obviously, it could be a coincidence, but it might be worth a try. There are a few studies that seem to back this up.

Good luck x

Hi @Ttcjourney123 we just had my DH’s results back and they really improved. Count has gone from 8 million to 30 million and morphology from 2 to 3%. We had DNA fragmentation tested too and that’s 29% which is on the higher end of normal but they said normal was up to 31%

So parameters can really improve! I think I said about but main things DH did were Proxeed morning and evening and he did completely cut out alcohol and caffeine (but wasn’t having loads of those anyway) - I think post winter he was prob deficient in some key vitamins as would never normally take even a bit D,

We’re still going to pursue treatment in a couple of months but really heartening that there can be an improvement.

good luck!