Success stories for Anyone who has us... - Fertility Network UK

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Success stories for Anyone who has used Metformin for PCOS and your partners mobility bad too.

emma-jane-30 profile image
10 Replies

hello all,

so i had some my bloods taken on monday which turns out im still not ovulating!! :-(

so the doctor has put me on metformin and told us to try naturally but may be a little harder for us as my partners sperm is low and so is the mobility, i just wanted to know if there was any success stories out there using this?

if nothing by august time then we will try the ivf cycle again.

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emma-jane-30
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DianeArnold profile image
DianeArnoldPartnerNurseFertility Network UK

Hi emma-jane-30. I don’t know if you know much about how Metformin works, but I will explain as simply as I can, with apologies if you already know. People who are diabetic (I realise you are not) - are treated in 3 different ways – diet, tablets (Metformin) or insulin injections. Women who are not ovulating properly and/or do not have regular periods and who are overweight, are often prescribed Metformin. The reason being is that they often have an excess of insulin in their body cells. Because of this the glands in the brain that control ovulation, the pituitary and the hypothalamus cannot get their message through to the ovaries to get them to ovulate properly. Metformin “mops up” the excess insulin to allow the messages to get through. Often it can regulate periods, but ovulation still does not occur. This is when a drug called Clomid is often introduced as well to hopefully ensure ovulation occurs. Metformin allows Clomid to do its job more efficiently. It all sounds very complicated, but the mechanics of the idea work well. Of course this treatment does not work with every woman, and there is always the possibility that IVF/ICSI or similar treatments may be required, especially as your

partner has a low sperm motility. Hope all goes well for you. Diane

emma-jane-30 profile image
emma-jane-30 in reply toDianeArnold

Thanks DianeArnold for your reply, I've had it all explained to me I'm just worked after my failed icsi last month it just feels a bit pointless to be trying this with my partners sperm the way they are.

The doctor said to me that once the sperm are damaged then there is no chance of them getting better so i feel like she is contradicting herself.

When I've read that a mans sperm has a fresh batch every 3 months?! What do you think?

DianeArnold profile image
DianeArnoldPartnerNurseFertility Network UK in reply toemma-jane-30

Hi emma-jane-30. It takes 2 months for sperm to get to full maturity. A sample contains sperm at different stages of development, so there will always be some new ones to study. I suppose he is taking multi-vitamins with extra zinc and selenium? This will help the way they swim, always worth trying. Unless your husband/partner has a diagnosed genetic/hormonal problem, there should hopefully be a bit of an improvement with his next sample. Good luck with it all. Diane

emma-jane-30 profile image
emma-jane-30 in reply toDianeArnold

thank you, there is no problem with any of his genetic hormone tests they all came back perfectly fine.

so im just hoping that now he is on the vits and stopped smoking then it will hopefully help.

I think it was just a shock when the consultant said once the mobility is damaged then there is no coming bk from this. and then put me on metformin to try naturally ?! well surely if the sperm isn't going to improve then why should we try naturally. i am just very confused. but thank you for your help DianeArnold x

DianeArnold profile image
DianeArnoldPartnerNurseFertility Network UK in reply toemma-jane-30

Hi emma-jane-30. Yes, I agree with you. The fact that your partner has a motility problem, then the majority of the sperm won't reach their destination! Usually,the option recommended is ICSI as you recently tried. Hopefully there will be some sperm that can swim, so maybe, just maybe one will get through, I don't know. I suppose your consultant is trying to be optimistic while you wait for a further cycle of treatment?? I do hope something definite is soon sorted out for you. Diane

Tugsgirl profile image
Tugsgirl

Hi emma-jane-30 after just having read this I want to tell you about two supplements my partner used to increase his motility; L' Carnitine and L' Arginine. The Carnitine is especially important for motility and the Arginine promotes a good blood flow to the mans baby making department lol. It will take at least three months use to see any improvement but my OHs improved a lot x ps obviously Diane is right about the extra Selenium and Zinc too x

emma-jane-30 profile image
emma-jane-30 in reply toTugsgirl

Hi Tugsgirl thank you so much for your reply, how do you get those tablets do they have to be prescribed by a doctor? Xxx

Tugsgirl profile image
Tugsgirl in reply toemma-jane-30

No they are natural supplements. I got ours from amazon xx

emma-jane-30 profile image
emma-jane-30 in reply toTugsgirl

Oh that's perfect thank you so much I will get some ordered. I hope you are doing ok and relaxing Hun xxx

Tugsgirl profile image
Tugsgirl in reply toTugsgirl

Most of the male multivitamins do contain the L'Carnitine, Arginine, Zinc and Selenium but not at very high levels. OH was taking about 10 different vitamins and supplements a day. Something worked! His 3rd semen analysis was in normal parameters x ps I'm feeling much better today than yesterday 😊 Thank you 😊 x

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