semen analysis - IVF Dr says fine but looks bad.

Hi all,

My dh finally got his semen analysis recently. The results went straight to our FS who we had our first appointment with the day they came in. He said that the Morphology was little low at 2% normal forms but it wasnt a problem and not causing our infertility. However I've just had a look at the results and it says that any percentage lower that 3% is not normal.
I've googled all this and seems that it could be a cause of infertility.

Does anyone have any first hand experience with this?

the count is as follows,

120 million sperm count
45% rapid
58%progressive
69%motile.
2% normal forms
tetraozoospermia index 1.79TZI

Is it possible that he wasn't worried because it will be enough for IVF and he's focused on that? We are trying naturally for a bit longer and would hate to find out that it was glossed over due to anticipated IVF treatment.

Any help would be appreciated! thanks!
Sassba:)

2% is ok for IVF, not so great for natural conception as far as I know.

This is the way I look at it... 120 million sperm & 69% motile so that means roughly 82,800,000 are going in the right direction. Then if 2% of that have normal forms, then you're getting roughly 1,656,000 good sperm each time. Not toooo bad, so it would still be possible for a natural conception, it just would take time.

thanks Sarah,
I see your point. Well we've been ttc for around 12 months now so we are on the brink of iui or ivf due to our ages, both 38. I just wondered if he thought he'd not bother to mention the morphology because he's assuming we'll end up using AC and that result can be overcome with AC? If so, I'd rather know the whole story.
Anyway, thanks again for your fantastic feedback and good luck with your first IVF cycle coming up soon! :)
Ta, sassba

He probably did just assume you were going to go with AC, so didn't bother telling you. I found that with the clinic we're going to, it's pretty much assumed that that's what you are going to be doing.

I was just thinking also, was it done as a trial wash? Our results were not too bad with a regular SA, but when they did the trial wash morphology was 0% - less than 1% morphology, not exactly zero zero IYKWIM.

And thank you for the luck :)

Hey Sarah,
I don't think it was washed. I'll have to keep that in mind for my next visit, though the next time I see my FS I'll be going under anaesthetic for a lap, IF I am not pregnant before that. I shouldnt jinx it by talking about the lap, I actually feel like I may be pregnant right now, I just feel different but I have to wait a couple more days to test. I don't want to get my hopes up though.

I suppose FS's kinda get used to seeing people come in and can gauge the chances of you ending up doing AC. I wish I knew though because my DH and I decided to wait based on his results and my regular ovulation. We are doing TCM for a while too but now I am wondering if I have the patience when it's possible from DH's test that we are wasting precious time.....Sorry I do go on!
thanks again!:D

Hi again,

Just wondering if anyone knows how long you need to wait to re test?

My Dh used to smoke ciggarettes, until he got cancer a couple of years ago!! Now he's pretty healthy, I force him to be really, all organic food, limited alcohol, takes multi vitamin JIC and regular exercise. He has always been a boxer short wearer too. I wonder what would have caused the problem,
I am curious to know if the poor morphology result would be age related? I kind of assume that the smoking for 15 years probably contributed, he is also a very keen cyclist, used to do lots of mountain bike riding and commuting, he has stopped cycling while we are ttc JIC it effects his goods.

Any further info would be great, sassba.;)

Hi Sassba

Just thought i would let you know my DH is 25 and when we did his first SA he was 23 and had a count of 2mil and morphology of 4%. he doesn't smoke or drink is healthy and wears boxers.. sometimes i think it is just luck. Just to let you know i wouldn't say it is age related. Also FYI i've got hubby on high protein diet and TCM and we are seeing a big improvment in his SA results. Hope this helps :)

Aaron's sperm issues are more than likely a genetic problem. We've been offered testing, but haven't decided to do it just yet.