Male support group?

[minimatron]

Hey, my little bro (well...hes 30) and his wife have been ttc for some time now and just got their results from the fertility clinic. SIL has irregular AF, but it seems that my brothers sperm count is low for his age and 95% of them are deformed. The specialist said it was unlikely he would be able to concieve naturally. I could see the hurt in his eyes, although he tried hard not to show it. So I am just wondering if there is a support group for him on BB...sorry I havent looked really hard, but can someone point me out to it? Has anyone else been in this situation? What was your outcome?

Am trying to get SIL to join up but she is Japenese and her English isnt great...according to her!!!

Thanks in advance

Melissa

[dusty]

Hi Melissa
Sorry I haven't answered this before now, I only just saw it. Your bro is welcome to post in the LTTTC & AC area of the thread or perhaps lurk if that helps him to start. We don't have a male support LTTTC & AC thread but we have had at least one male post on the LTTTC forums regularly in the recent past. Your bro would also be very welcome.

There is also the male forum area where he could post with others about anything he wanted and get support from other males on the site.

Your SIL would be welcome too.

HTH

[minimatron]

Thanks Dusty... I will get them on here They will find it as helpful as I do

Cheers

Melissa

[farmgirl77]

Hi Melissa,
for your brother and SIL. DH and I have been on the IVF journey - at the start because of low sperm count and quality. It was really hard for DH when those results came in - I really think that he though that the problem would be me, not him, as I also had irregular cycles.

On the upside, IVF with ICSI - where they select and inject a good sperm into the egg, offers good hope for a pg for people with sperm issues. So there is hope that you will become an Aunty if they choose that path.

I have always said that my DH was about 6months behind me in accepting that we needed help having a baby - it really took him alot of time to process the information and situation. When we started IVF, the councillor we saw also reinforced that for guys, often the 'urge' for a baby is less than for women - so going down the path of IVF can be more take it or leave it, where as for women it can be a burning issue. This can lead to conflict and tension if the guy is still trying to come to terms of having sperm probs (even though it is relatively normal).

Making things worse is that often the IVF/ART system is 'geared' towards the partner who will carry the baby - leaving in this case the DH left out, or feeling like just the sperm provider. This is a post I did at the start of our journey that may help https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...-partners.html.

As for support groups for guys - not sure. I'm also not sure if this ramble will help you, but I really wish your brother and SIL all the best.
FG

[mr dad of many]

hi my count was very low and didnt really swim , was even told dont bother about ivf it would a waste of time and money , he hit me very hard . aftertime i went to a health food shop and for some tablets to help with sperm production , yes tablets called triblus plus . well what do you know 5 children later . i often say dont believe what you r always told . i proof of that . remember guys it only takes 1 good one to do its job . most guys lack zinc and magnesium in there diets and boy we need them so much .

[minimatron]

Thank you farm girl and Mr dad of many. Its good to hear stories of other people. My brother and SIL went to the naturapath just after they found out what was happening and she has put them on a special diet and says she xpects them to be pregnant within a year. They are trying this as they are public patients and dont have an appointment at the fertility clinic until June. Also its a lot cheaper (naturpath) than IVF, so will see how that goes. Yes I do look forward to being an aunty, some little ones for my girls to play with. I hop;e it happens soon enough for them.