Can you improve sperm/mobility count?

[Sab]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum but unfortunately I am not so new to TTC. My DH and I have been trying for our 1st baby since before we got married in 2011. I had my Implanon removed in August 2011. The doctor told me at the time that it takes a normal healthy couple 12 months to have a baby so I was prepared to wait. After 12 months of temping, POAS, crazy cycles and going insane we went back to the doctor for testing. Now my DH HATES anything medical, I literally have to drag him to the doctor. He had whooping cough last year and tried to go to work So several arguments later I finally got him to pathology to be tested. We made an appointment to see our doctor to get our results. When we got to the surgery they told us that there was a mistake and our appointment was actually the next day, at which point I burst in tears. So the poor woman at reception called our doctor but was unable to get us in that day, she asked if we could see another doctor to get our results but apparently our doctor wanted to see us . So we went home and obviously the next 24 hours sucked because I knew that if everything was fine they would just tell us.

So we go back the next day and see our doctor who basically says DH has 10 million per ml and only about 50% mobility. She said that there was no reason we could not get pregnant ourselves but wanted to refer us to a fertility clinic, at the mention of this DH blew a gasket. After he calmed down he asked her if there was anything he could do to improve his SC. She told us that there was nothing we could do to improve it. I have heard from friends that there are things he can do or medication to help? So we decided to give it another year (which we are not at the end of) and see how we go. So basically my question is, what if anything has helped your partners DF or DH with this type of problem? Should be just keep plodding along slowing going bonkers? I know there are lots of people out there with this problem and I think in some ways after we talked about IVF and all our 'options' our relationship and marriage is a lot stronger. If we can survive this we can get through anything. DH has gone from there is no way on Earth that he would do IVF to being okay with the idea. At least that is something.

So any and all advice is appreciated

End of Rant
Sabrina

[JLeigh29]

Oh, I feel for you...sounds like a similar story to ours. DH has a low sperm count and motility too. We were referred to a FS and were due to sign the forms to begun ICSI the day after we found out we'd conceived naturally, after 18 or so months of trying. TTC #2 took about 20 months.

When DH found out about his issues, he started taking Menevit (a men's multi ESP for TTC) and switched from jocks to boxers. He also made some changes to his diet. DH sits a lot for work (office job plus 3hrs driving) and that's supposed to not help as you can overheat down there. And of course we charted.

This time around we just went with the flow so no Menevit and no charting. DH still wears his boxers though, and still sits for work, but only about 10hrs as opposed to 13+. Not sure if any of that made a difference as our chance of conceiving naturally was put at about 5%. When you work it out, I had just under 20 cycles before we got DS and just over with Bub #2, so seems right on 5% to me

HTH

[Sab]

Thanks for your reply,

I have slacked off a bit lately because I have been so discouraged by TTC for so long. It's nice to know you are not alone out there. I really should of used forums before because its nice to get it off your chest.

DH is an Information Services Office for the council so sits at his desk but also gets up and walks around the office. He seems to have this thing for both briefs and boxers because he doesn't like it to hang loose Maybe I should throw out all his undies lol. I am trying to get DH to take a multivitamin so wish me luck

Sabrina

[JLeigh29]

DH hated the boxers at the start and would complain bitterly! Couldn't get him to change now if I wanted to, lol! Taking a multi was hard for DH too as he'd forget and complain about how $$$ or inconvenient or what a load of #%+* etc, but I'd just put it next to his dinner plate until it became a habit. I also reminded him how much cheaper it was than IVF and less invasive too!

As for the charting, I kept it very simple. Never did temping, but used a Maybe Baby to detect O about a week before I thought it would be, and we DTD every 2-3 days from about the week before to just under a week after. Much more than that would've sent me insane, lol!

[Sab]

I was just reading this old post of mine. Here's an update. We continued to try by ourselves but last month we gave up and took the referral to the IVF doctors. We had an appointment booked for May however we found our We have conceived on our own after almost 3years of TTC. I'm now 7 weeks pregnant and having a scan Monday. Must be something about being referred to specialists!