Sperm test - please help understand!

[rosa_rosa]

we received my husband's results in the post today and they say: below normal on all. and that the sample is suitable for IVF or ICSI. does this mean it's unsuitable for IUI?? because that's what we were planning to do! thank you.

[Dee22]

I would call your clinic for advice. When we got any results we had a letter explaining what it meant for us. We were initially told we were for iui & then it changed to ivf/icsi but it's whatever is likely to give you the best chance. Good luck x

[Vickal]

I hope your hubby took the news ok. My husband was devastated with his result, it really knocked his confidence.

Firstly don’t panic over the results. Remember it only takes one healthy sperm! My husbands first two sample results showed 2% & 5% morphology but after a few months of lifestyle changes his last one was at 15% which is within the normal bracket. He stopped smoking (he didn’t smoke regularly before), started taking the Wellman conception vitamins and now only drinks on weekends. Although we are both within a healthy BMI we started going to the gym a couple of times a week too. I don’t know what made the difference but the result was a dramatic improvement.

We were told that IUI was still an option as although his morphology was low his quantity was good so they explained that one could cancel out the other. However if all three factors are low this may not be an option.

The clinic said that we can have four rounds of IUI and then only one IVF at our trust. But if we chose to have the IVF first and it wasn’t successful then we couldn’t go back and try IUI. Our decision was to try the IUI. I know the success rate is low but it seems like we have a few more chances this way.

Good luck xx

[rosa_rosa in reply to Vickal]

thanks both for the reply. Vickal, what are the 3 parameters that you mentions about. one is morphology (not sure what it is?) and the other 2? yes, he was very upset and shocked. glad your hubby managed to improve his. I would also recommend solgar vitamins, as they are better quality than Wellwoman or Wellman. healthy lifestyle I'm sure plays a role in it all. to be honest I want to try IUI before anything else! less invasive. good luck darling. IVF is not guaranteed either, I think, so best to try IUI. apparently you really need to lay for a bit and not get up straight away after the IUI. at least 30 min. if they let you.

[Vickal]

The three parameters are morphology (e.g. if they are correctly formed. 14% is considered normal I believe), motility (e.g. alive and swimming, approx. 60% is normal) and count (e.g. how many in the sample).

I’ll have a look for Solgar vitamins, where do you get them?

I feel the same re IUI being less invasive. Although I’m finding the injections are taking their toll a little. Keep on telling myself only a few more days…

Potentially being inseminated (hate that word makes me feel like a cow!) if all goes well next week. Planning on taking the day off, will put my feet up and rest!

I didn't know what to say to console my husband on the results. He said it made him feel like less of a man. I friend said something nice, she said “Anyone can make a baby, it takes a real man to be a father” And I know he will make a great dad when we get there!

xx

[rosa_rosa]

thanks Vickal. solgar from any independent pharmacy. I like Vegetarian Capsules V75. but you'll have to also take a separate tablet for Magnesium/Calcium as well. as the above one doesn't have a great deal of those two. but there are other Solgar ones too - which you may prefer better. Vegetarian one is just my personal preference. it's not too dear.

sorry, what injections are you doing? I thought it's just Chlomid and thought they are in tablet form? I'm a bit of a novice in this.

everything will be well I'm sure - just keep telling your hubby