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Hi girls,
My DF had a semen analysist and we got the results yesterday and it come back with some of his sperm is abnormal. He has to do another test to recheck it but what happens then? is it onto IUI? and what are the costs involved for that? Im from melbourne.
**Prayingforabub**
Hi!
My first words of advice would be a consult a good Naturopath (who specialises in Natural Fertility Management) and get your hubby on a solid Pre-Conceptual Care program. Sperm takes 3 months to fully mature, and unlike our eggs (which are present from birth) they are constantly dying and renewing and are very receptive to changes that are made in our diet and environment.
Your hubby should avoid caffeine and alcohol as it causes sperm to coagulate ('clump' together). He should also take a supplement with Zinc, Vitamin E and Vitamin B12.
Avoiding hormone altering chemicals that he applies to his body is also recommended. Miessence is a really good brand that does Organically Certified personal care products (deoderants, after shave balm, hair care, face/body care, baby care & makeup).
They also sell this magnificent product called 'In-Liven' (there is an article about it here on belly belly) which contains 26 Organic Superfoods and a full spectrum of the Probiotic Lactobacillus strains. I can highly recommend that for both of you!!!!
Doing a detox to remove toxins such as pescticides and heavy metals from your bodies will also significantly increase your chances of conceiving.
It is definitely worth exhausting the natural road before considering the expensive conventional/chemical/artifically assisted path.
You will probably get accoustommed to my posts around the place- I am a self-confessed health freak and big advocate for natural medicine!
Best of luck to you both.
X
Hi pfb, your dr. will prob suggest iui first followed by ivf if 'nessecery'. I would agree with jbean and exhaust all natural medicine avenues first. If I was treating a person in your fiance's position i would generally begin with diet, slightly higher in protien than carbs, a good quality (practitioner brand) multi vitamin, caffiene, alcohol, smoking and laptops are a no no. Based on the specifics of his previous tests (some abnormaility is very common, however the parameters of what is considered normal, are much too low) and health history, he would also recieve Chinese Medicine and acupuncture regularly for 3 months and be retested again in 4-5months.
Hi PFB
You didn't mention if you have tried to fall pg yet, and whether your partner's tests were a result of unsuccessful natural conception to date. If you are long term TTC you can also talk to other members for support in the LTTTC area who have partners with sperm issues.
My advice would be when you go to get your next set of results go prepared to the doctor with a list of all the questions you have. Drill them on the natural therapies, assisted conception options etc, so you can feel as well informed as possible.
Good luck with it all.
xx
Thankyou JellyBean, Justin and dusty for your responses.
Do we both need to see the naturopath or just my DF?
How do laptops affect the sperm? i know he has to use a laptop at work but he isnt on it all the time, he just has it to use when he places orders for parts. Can he still drink alcohol? how many beers can he have in a day? he loves his beer but doesnt get it all the time. If he does get beer he usually drinks the slab in about a week, is that bad for the sperm?
He is also taking a Zinc tablet but by what JellyBean said he has to be on abit more than that?
dusty - we have been ttc for about 9-10 months now without success.
Does anyone know of any good naturopaths in melbourne that arent too expensive?
**prayingforabub**
Hi again.
It is definitely recommended for you both to do Pre-Conceptual Care. It will also be much easier if you are doing it together. Unfortunately alcohol is not good for sperm for various reasons. Alcohol also mimics the female hormone estrogen in the body- which has a detrimental effect on testoterone levels and can weaken sperm.
Perhaps your hubby can at least limit his alcohol intake to a few low-carb beers on the weekend? Instead of buying a slab perhaps he can buy one 6 pack per week- that way he won't be tempted to drink it so much. Maybe if you provide him with the information on how it affects sperm he will be more willing to do whatever it takes. I think that is a difficult truth to swallow for alot of guys!! Do his friends know that you guys are trying to conceive? If so, they will probably be more understanding and not encourage him to drink if they know the reasons why he needs to cut back. I think there is SO much pressure on guys to drink these days, and health-wise its a real shame....
I'll leave it to Justin to explain why the lap tops are bad- I have heard that though. And mobile phones apparently too??
If you want to find qualified Natural Therapists In Melbourne- you can contact ANTA (Australian National Therapists Association) and get the list of reputable Natural Therapists operating near you. You will find their details on the web.
Best Wishes to you both!!
Thanks heaps for that JellyBean. Much appreciated. When he comes home i will get him to read the responses.
I will have a look later on to find a good naturopath.
He was feeling abit down after he recieved the results and he is still feeling abit down cause we may not beable to fall pregnant naturally,but i told him it doesnt make him any less of a man if we need fertility help.
**prayingforabub**
Hi PFB,
I'm not an expert but I think maybe it's O.K. to use the laptop but just don't use it in your lap. It has something to do with the heat emitted. It know that laptops and really hot baths and spas are a no-no for men when you are TTC.
Hope this helps and good luck to you.
Hi pfb, without seeing and talking to you guys in person please take all this advice as general, it does not specifically apply to you or your partner until you are in an actual consult with your chosen health care professional. In regards to laptops, aussiegirl777 is right, it's heat emission that is the prob, a rise of 2.8 degrees celcius is sufficient to impair spermatogenesis (Human Reproduction Advance Access, published online Dec 9 2004) Different studies associated with IVF have shown better sperm results from men abstaining from alcohol in the month leading up to sperm collection. (Fertility and Sterility 2003;79:330-339) The general rule would be to moderate alcohol consumption, to me that means less than every other day, ie. 3 days a week max, and not to excess on those occasions. With food etc etc. Do book in with someone, there are great, and cheap, naturopaths at BB. Then you will get information tailored to yourselves you can trust 100%! gl and private message or drop me an email if you'd like. justin@bellybelly.com.au
ps you can tell him this issue is rife in modern society (not a man issue, but an environmental issue) and steadily decreasing levels of male fertility have been observed in the western world over the last 30yrs. The WHO consistently revises and resets the parameters for what constitutes a 'normal' sperm test and what is normal today would, 30 yrs ago, have been considered problematic, do some research on your own to qualify this and look into the success of chinese medicine in treating this kind of pattern.
Thank you Aussiegirl777 for that information. That also helps to know about baths and spas as we have been away for weekends a few times and have had hot spas so i guess that wouldnt have helped.
Justin, thankyou heaps for your helpful information. Once we have done the second test and gotten the results, i will then look into us going to a naturopath and i guess take it from there.
**prayingforabub**
Hello,
On a slightly different track, often with a SA it can be worthwhile getting a second test done through a different lab. My Dh had a first test done through a gp and normal path centre, but when we progressed to a fertility specialist, the test was redone in their clinic (who have a different standard) and the results were different (unfortunatly for us they were worse and we are now doing IVF with ICSI where they directly select and inject a sperm into the egg).
Having said that my DH has not really made any changes to his life style to improve things:wall:...and as the others have said, that is well worth a shot.
Good luck
FG
Hey there farmgirl,
For the first test we went through Gribbles Pathology and when we were told to do another test my DF refused to go there as they were so rude and made us feel uncomfortable. They also made him do the sample in a disabled toilet! He was so disgusted.
This time the dr has reffered us to Epworth Hospital, he is booked in for the 24th of November, would have been this coming monday but after the amount we have to pay we made it for a few weeks time.
Have you started IVF? if so how are you going with that?
**prayingforabub**
Hello again,
Your DH's experience sounds like my DH's - when we went to the FS, DH refused to do another test through our local pathology as he was certain they did not handle the sample properly after he had so carefully got it there at body temp etc etc... When you are testing something so important you expect more tact and care...DH's second test was through the Royal Womens and was much better - I hope your DH feels more cared for/respected there.
DH and I started IVF in Dec last year, with ICSI as DH's sperm test was not great. ICSI is where they pick out a good sperm and inject is straight into my egg. So far we have done two stim cycles - where we go through the process of harvesting my eggs and fertalising them, and two thaw cycles - where they put back thawed embies from the stim cycle. So far we have not had any luck - we nearly got one to stick but lost it at 4 1/2 weeks. We hope that our next one is the one - it would be good to have a BFP for xmas.
I really hope that you dont have to go down that path. Good luck with your DH's next test.
FG
Hi Farmgirl,
Im so sorry to hear of your loss. My heart goes out to you. I hope your next attempt is a successful one and this little one sticks around for the long haul.
Im looking forward to the next testing cause then we will know for sure, but i have a feeling we will have to go and do IUI. Least we have a good chance of falling preg that way as the bad sperm will be taken away and only the good ones will be left to do the work. Only a few weeks left and then we will know.
When are yous doing another IVF cycle?
**prayingforabub**
Hi I found out my partner has 89% abnormal sperm and that we are now reffered to a urologist. My partner doesn not smoke, drink, drink coffee and is a soldier so he is very fit, yet his sperm is still not up to scratch. The GP said we most likely will have to do ICSI as we have been trying for 2 years with one blighted ovum most likely caused by a deformed sperm and we dont want that to happen again so we decided to just go straight to IVF and do the chinese medicine in conjunction. We arent bothering with a second test as the fertility specialist does all the test again anyway! keep me posted on your journey.
Me 21
DP 21
TTC#1 for 2 years
1 blighted ovum 7 months ago.
Hi 21andTTC#1, Thanks i will let you know whats happening when we get the second lot of results back so about the 25th/26th of november.
When do you start IVF? or have you already started?
**prayingforabub**
hi again, we havent started yet but I will be asking for referal to monsh IVF on the gold coast based upon his testosterone and thyroid results which we get back in a week or so. We are probably not going to see a urologist but rather go straight to a fertility specialist as I want to get the ball rolling and believe we need assisted conception. Also there is no proven treatment for sperm issues, the only way is with ivf so why waste money on so many different pills and remedies when you get a great result with ICSI or IVF. Thats just my opinion, I dont know how long you have been trying for but we have had enough! let me know how it goes I will do the same, you guys a still young too and its awful knowing that we are in our prime fertility years yet still nothing when I know a lady who is 43 and got pregnant naturally 5 times since she was 30! and just had one at 43!
ME 21
DP 21
TTC#1 for 2 years!
one blighted ovum 7 months ago.
CD 20 of 28 day cycle! COME ON BFP- you will be due on our anniversary! please!
Hi prayingforabub,
we have just started a FET (frozen embie transfer cycle) - I go for a scan next Fri to see that everything is going to plan and then start testing to see when I ovulate (which is normally day 16-18), 2 days after ovulation we put two little embies back - fingers crossed.
good luck to you and your dh.
FG
Hi 21andTTC#1,
I totally understand about you wanting to get the ball rolling, im the same, i just want this test done so we know what to do from there.
we have been trying for about 10 months now but im so glad i didnt wait a few years before seeing a dr. Hopefully not much longer and we will be pregnant.
farmgirl, awesome news!! So after fridays scan how much longer do you have to wait for ovulation? I really hope everything goes well and your little ones stick. Keep me updated on how your doing and how everything goes.
**prayingforabub**
Hi Ladies,
I am in the same boat with my DH. After trying for 6mths and getting nowhere I approached my GP who recommended we both go for tests just to rule out any issues or isolate any issues. Turned out DH has a low sperm count (13%) so she has referred us to a FS right away to save us from "mucking around" (as she put it). First appointment is this Wed and am not sure what to expect but just know that I want to make this happen asap!
Wishing all of you the best of luck!!!
Hi Jaxi,
WOW you must be excited about getting the ball rolling.Only tomorrow you will start the process of tests, and questions and then most likley onto starting a cycle!
Wishing you all the best for tomorrows appt, and please let us know how you go tomorrow.
Good Luck.
**prayingforabub**
Thanks prayingforabub :)
Had my appointment this morning - the FS (who seems lovely) looked at our test results and has referred us to a whole lot more tests - blood tests, testicular scan, pelvic scan, x-rays etc and once he has a clear picture of us we'll get started. Going to have to fork out a grande just for the tests alone before starting any real procedures. He says judging from what he's seen to date IUI wont work (natural sex almost definitely wont work) and it looks like we'll probably go straight to IVF or ICSE (is that what it's called??). Anyway, next cycle all the tests start and then hopefully by Jan we can start with fertility treatment to prep us for IVF. It's weird, I've been quite positive thinking we would probably need assistance but now that it's become clear just how much assistance we'll need I just feel awful. I am soooooooo teary and can't focus on a thing today. Have a guest from out of town I'm supposed to catch up with tonight and honestly I just feel like going home, getting under the covers and staying there till I snap out of this mood I'm in :cry:
:hug: sorry to hear it's a bit overwhelming at the moment. i hope things all go well & in the meantime, do what you need to do to get through.
Hi Jaxi,
Sorry for the late reply - how are you doing? have you gotten any of the tests done yet? Dont feel awful about it all. Least we can get help to have our babies. I hope your feeling ok now though.
Take it easy.
**prayingforabub**
Hey prayingforabub. No problem at all. Tests haven't started yet. We're waiting for AF to come. I'm currently 2DPO so will expect AF in about 7 days if my LP hasn't lengthened. Kinda hanging on to hope that we can still make it happen on our own so I'll be over the moon if AF doesn't show up and I do get a BFP...somehow remain doubtful though. Once AF comes then I book in for BT and an HSG (where they run dye through your tubes and scan the area to check for any tubal blockages etc). DH is going for another sperm count and will have a scrotum scan (poor him!!!) and BTs to check his hormones etc and then we meet back with the FS around mid Dec once we'll have all the results and take it from there. The FS did say that IUI probably wont help due to poor sperm motilility so IVF/ICSI may start as soon as Jan...not really sure how it all works but am terrified by what I have read. It just appears to be a process that can easily become very overwhelming but I know so many other ladies have gone through it so if they can do it I can do it!!!
How are you doing? Did your DH go for a re-test? It's so nice to have someone to talk to about this!!!!
Hi Ladies,
Was just having a little catch up here and was prompted to put my 2 cents in again,
you may be right in saying there is no proven treatment for sperm issues (scientific proof is very difficult and expensive to obtain), however that does not mean there are not a lot of case studies and clinical trials that have and are being performed as we speak. As you may be aware the effectiveness of Chinese Medicine does not rely on the diagnoses and treatment of a specific disease, but rather the diagnoses and treatment of a pattern of disease. There are many patterns that can and do feature low sperm count as a part of the clinical picture, the good news is that some of these patterns respond very well to treatment. The otherwise good health of a person is an extra reason to consider Ch.Med. as they are often amoung those that respond quickly to treatment. The other thing to consider is that when undertaking a course of acupuncture there are often lifestyle (dietry/work/rest/herbal medicine) changes that are a part of the treatment. These must be adhered to. For the treatment of low sperm count they must be adhered to for 3 months at least. No exceptions. Additionally, IVF or ICSI is a guarentee of just one thing, high expense. The success rates are not great and the treatment protocols are not without discomfort and unpleasant side effects. If male factor infertility is the only diagnosed issue, I would suggest 3 months of Chinese Medicine incl. acupuncture and herbs before any attempt at ART. Even if you do still use ART, the chances of success will be better due to better ingredients.
Hey Jaxi,
**HUGS** i hope all goes well with the testing. Yes it would be nice to fall preggas naturally, every month i hope i have fallen preg and for me i still have a chance i guess until we know 100% sure whats going on with DF's sperm.
No he hasnt been yet, we actually have had to move it forward a week because he didnt get paid right, so therefore we didnt have enough money to cover it, but i will let you know how i go.
Yeah i totally agree, it is nice to talk to someone about what your going through and who understands, makes it all seem alot easier and bearable.
**prayingforabub**