Low sperm count

[Madigan]

We have just discovered that DH has a low sperm count (14.5 million) .... wondered if anyone has managed to conceive naturally with this low a count, or should we just go ahead with IVF? would welcome any advice. Thanks

see other post - think you have done this twice!

bump

Hi Madigan!
You may find that with a good 'preconception' programme (such as no alcohol and boxer shorts etc.) your DH may be able to increase the count to a sufficient level for you to conceive naturally. However as someone who has waited 6 years to conceive I'd say get your GP to refer you to a consultant specialist at a local hospital now and see what they advice. The waiting list to see a specialist on the NHS can be up to a year but it is free, alternatively your GP can refer you to a private clinic where you can pay for an immediate consultation.
You may find that your Dh has enough swimmers of a suitable quality for other simpler procedures than IVF, such as IUI.
Infertility is a painful experience (and I speak with first hand knowledge) and one you should not have to go through alone. There are lots of on-line self-help communities such as Infertility Network UK (probably the most well know) and Fertility Friends (probably the largest). The two organisations also seem to cooperate to produce an online magazine Infertile World. A simple search will turn up the website addresses.
I hope this information helps - good luck!
LiziBee.x

Yes Madigan! My DH's was much, much, much lower than this (about 3 million I think, with really more motility and morphology too). We were one month away from starting IVF when I found out I was pregnant naturally.

We used a book called "Natural Solutions to Infertility" by Dr Marilyn Glenville. We gave up alcohol, coffee, red meat & cow dairy. We both had acupuncture, my DH took chinese herbs, I had reflexology.

It was a really hard year for us, but so, so, so worth it. We have a beautiful dd who is an absolute joy.

It absolutely can happen, after all, it only takes one little fish to finally learn which way is up!

How long have you been ttc and how old are you (sorry, nosy questions). We were both 36 when I finally got pregnant and had been ttc for over 2 years.

Sorry, that should say "poor motility and morphology"

Hi Littlefish
sorry to have taken so long to respond,
have been ttc for 2 years now. Your story has given me some hope though! But god it's miserable ttc for this length of time ... seeing consultant in Jan and think we will have a go at IUI for a few months, and put off IVF.

hi dp has a low sperm count, under a million. We have a 5month old son now and i am expecting again, due in july. This was all natural so yes it is poss.
although your dp/dh could try taking multivitamins and you could try taking folic acid. we found this helped.
good luck.