Sperm Count Results

[{sarah}]

I need some help translating!

Count: 1 million (last time 3yrs ago was 5)

Motility:
Rapid Progressive: 10%
Sluggish Progressive: 18%
Non Progressive: 19%

Abnormal Forms: 51%

Does that mean that realistically, that 49% are normal & only 10% of that are getting anywhere?
I'm working on getting our booking with the FS at SIVF, but in the meantime any advice would be helpful.

[sammy88]

Hi Sarah,
The count may not be as high this time because the sample was smaller....my DH told me that it was very hard to get a lot of "sample" into that tiny little container.

I just did a search for you and found the following info:
It said "Normal semen analysis"
Sperm motility - More than 50% of the sperm are moving forward OR 25% are moving forward very quickly
Sperm morphology (shape) - More than 15% have a 'normal' shape

Hope this helps
SAM

[Violet Star]

Hi Sarah,

I think all places should have more info about each part. Even now at times, i still get mixed up which is which.
sperm count/ number is the same as sperm concentration when reported on lab results.? correct me someone if this isnt right.
By what you have said, 10% have read the street directory and on the highway. 18% are getting on the normal road to go.

In regards to the normal counts of sperm, 49% of normal is still a good result.

[{sarah}]

By what you have said, 10% have read the street directory and on the highway. 18% are getting on the normal road to go.

LOVE IT! Summer that's a perfect analogy

[Aramis7]

And 19% don't want to stop to ask for directions b/c they know where they are going?

;-)

[CatherineL]

When our results for Daniel's semen analysis cam back it was something like 4% rapid progressive and our doctor told us we didn't have any chance of falling pg naturally and IVF was really our only option... But we unexpectedly defied the odds!

[butterfly_warrior]

We had 0% rapid progressive.

I can't remember any of the rest of it, just that our FS said it was the number of rapid progressive sperm that made the difference between being able to conceive or not. And that 10 million seemed to be the optimum number - anything over that didn't make a difference.

They will go through it all with you at the appointment.

BW

[Kazcooke]

Hi.
Can't help you with the mobility bit, But can with the amount.
For my first IUI my DH had 2.5 million and first the second 3 million. we have just today been told that its not woth doing IUI with these amounts again. So IVF has been recommended for our next go. Apparantly 5 million is what they need to maximise the success rates. My DH gets very nervous having to produce on demand so I know that throws him alot. In my research having our DH taking a Zinc supplement can help in amount and quality. Hope this is a help.
Wishing you the best.

[{sarah}]

We're off to get both a zinc & folate supplement for him over the weekend, then see how we go.

So IUI is probably not on the cards due to a low count? It's more than likely going to be ful on IVF?

[butterfly_warrior]

Sarah, from what we were told, the fact that he has some rapid progressive sperm is a good sign and IUI may still be an option.

It's all very individual, but we were told that the one reason it was out for us was the complete lack of rapid progressive sperm.

For IUI the sperm is washed, prepared and concentrated, so it is just a matter of being able to get enough. I don't know exactly, but it may be worth asking if multiple samples could be combined for IUI? It's an idea...

BW

[Muppity]

Hi Sarah

DP had 7% progressive (I don't remember off hand the breakup between rapid and otherwise) and we were told that while we could try IUI it wasn't recommended with such a low count.

The 49% normal is good though - I think anything more than 15% normal is considered "normal"

I am with SIVF and very happy so far

[Violet Star]

Interesting responses. I think it depends on your FS

DH has over 40% and then 67% rapid progression in both tests and yet because of the low normal numbers we were still under the impression that IVF/ ICSI is what is suitable.

As you have high normal numbers then as others have said IUI might be an option for you.

[{sarah}]

So with the count being only 1 million & 49% normal wouldn't that be relatively low? Dunno We have the FS appointment amazingly soon - April 16th, so will find out soon enough i guess.

[shellshell]

I think it depends a lot on where you go for treatment.

Our old FS told us that we needed 5 million total healthy sperm for IUI, but our new FS says 1 million motile with 15% or more normally shaped. (we have neither)

(Note that we didn't get pregnant with our first FS and were told by the second that we just got stuffed around by them and were never going to get pregnant with the treatment they had us on).

It will be interesting to hear what your FS suggests - I would be thinking IVF.

All the best.

[Visitor9]

We had a 30% mobility then mucked around doing IUI's for a year with no sucess..and moved on to IVF ICSI
No results regarding rapid progression.
Bec

[shellshell]

I should have mentioned in my post above -

I read on the internet last year about "double IUI" - where they put in a fresh and a frozen sample. It is supposed to be significantly more successful than normal IUI, depending on the kind of MF. I think it was done in Canada. Worth googling it, if anyone is interested. Worth asking if it would be suitable - since it could work out significantly cheaper than IVF.