Not great semen test results - any IVF success

[Kari55]

My husband’s semen results have just come through and unfortunately they aren’t great, even worse than last year. He was diagnosed with Graves’ disease earlier this year which apparently is the culprit of our struggle. I’m just so disheartened as he has been on medication for 6 months now, was following an autoimmune protocol diet, taking supplements etc. Has anyone had a successful ICSI with low morphology and motility?

[Tugsgirl]

No advice but I’m sorry that the results weren’t better for you both. It sounds like he’s been so good too, following a special diet etc etc. I hope someone who’s been in a similar situation can advise xx

[Kari55 in reply to Tugsgirl]

Thank you, we are both a bit upset, I’m guessing his hormones have not settled yet and the antibodies must be still raging 🙁 Looks like we will be doing IVF+ICSI+IMSI. xx

[genten]

Sorry for your news.

I also don't have any advice and also same as Tugs in saying that someone here may be able offer some advice.

Good luck. Xx

[Hidden]

You aren't alone. There's still hope it only takes one. Huge bozies to you both. Keep your chins up and keep going. Xxx

[Kari55 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you hun xxx

[Hidden in reply to Kari55]

It's such a difficult time for everyone. But the fertility clinics can do so much now. We got 1 fertilised egg on our last round and. My husband has low sperm to. Keep cheerful keep positive xxx

[Kari55 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I hope they can find the way around it. To be honest I’m having second thought about the treatment and wondering whether the time is right or maybe we should wait. The thing is we don’t know if his parameters would get better and I’m going to get only older. Im sorry about your experience, this process can give so many slaps in a face. But then life is so short to be sad and serious. I will try to keep my chin up 😊 xxx

[Hidden]

If you feel you are mentally and physically ready for it. I would go for it. I'm 31 my hubby is 40. It's not worth waiting incase they might get better. The ivf process that I've been through is mentally difficult if it doesn't work (it's a bit of a slap in the face and you feel like garbage for a few days) but the actual process is fine. Just relax and I'm sure you'll do great xx

[Kari55 in reply to Hidden]

I’m physically very ready for it. I know my body can handle all this well. Mentally, I don’t think I would ever be ready but I’m more and more accepting the fact that IVF is the way to go for us. Keeping stress at bay is super important. Unfortunately, my London lifestyle isn’t helpful in terms of stress levels. You are right though, we shouldn’t wait as things might not get better, plus his next sample might be different anyway. Are you planning next attempt any time soon? Xxx

[Hidden in reply to Kari55]

We had our first attempt in February this year. We are in the middle of our second cycle now. We would have done it sooner but we had a big wedding to go to in July so wanted to enjoy that then start.

It's so important to relax throughout the process. Do you have a stressful job or is it just the hectic place?. I've only ever been to London once and it was heaving people everywhere. We are doing icsi. Rather than ivf that would be good for you too xxx

[Kari55 in reply to Hidden]

We had our first attempt in Nov last year. Then my husband had an autoimmune flare up and we had to wait until now with the next try. I’m sorry your 1st one didn’t work, keeping my fingers crossed for your 2nd cycle!

London is very hectic and my job is stressful too, long commute as well. It looks like we will be doing ICSI+ IMSI to overcome the sperm issues. Good luck with everything xxx

[Snez84]

Hi Kari55. We are struggling with low sperm count and my husband had a total count of 1million. We’ve had one round of ICSI where we had 11 eggs, 7 fertilised and 3 made it to blastocyst. It’s amazing what they can do with ICSI - it’s a miracle in itself! Wishing you lots of luck if you do decide to start your IVF journey xx

[Kari55 in reply to Snez84]

Hi Snez84, you are right, it is amazing they can do it. Thank you and good luck to you too xx

[Lynnr54]

Hi, sorry to hear about your struggles. My hubby also has sperm problems - low motility, morphology and count. We were given a less then 5% chance of conceiving naturally so went down the ICSI route. We got 4 embryos from 11 mature eggs in that round and 2 of them have been successful. It’s worth keeping up the supplements as I know some people have found them useful but they didn’t really help us (although we only did the off the shelf multivitamin whereas some have used things like DHEA). Also make sure your hubby keeps his testicles cool so no tight boxers, no laptop on knee and no mobile phone in trouser pocket. Good luck with it all.

[Kari55 in reply to Lynnr54]

Thank you, this is reassuring. Are you currently pregnant with twins or did you already have them? X

[Lynnr54 in reply to Kari55]

Not twins, no. My fresh transfer was successful and my little boy is now 2. I then had 2 failed FETs (one of which was a chemical) before my current BFP. Currently 18 weeks pregnant with no 2.

[Kari55 in reply to Lynnr54]

That’s is brilliant! Hopefully I could say the same one day xx

[LiLi19]

My other half gave a sample to be tested prior to our first round and the clinic asked for another. They then said if the second hadnt been better, they'd have suggested donor sperm. Our first round resulted in only 1 egg fertilising, bad quality and a bfn.

However, he'd begun taking Proxeed prior to first round (Nov 17) and up until second round (March 18) where all 12 of our eggs fertilised normally, 7 made it to day 5, 2 top grade were put back and 5 frozen and im currently 25 weeks with twins...we were devastated just prior to the first round but something clearly helped him out and i do think the Proceed helped! A little expensive but worth it if it does...good luck! xx

[Kari55 in reply to LiLi19]

Thank you, happy to hear that it worked for you. My husband takes supplements all the time but unfortunately he isn’t able to tolerate Proxeed and many others specifically design to improve sperm that we have tried. I’m going to ask our consultant whether it makes sense for us to continue the process. I’m getting fed up with it already xx

[LiLi19 in reply to Kari55]

Oh no im sordy to hear that...can the consultant recommend any alternative for him to take? xx

[Kari55 in reply to LiLi19]

Yes, he is taking food based supplements which he seems to be tolerating ok but they aren’t strictly speaking to enhance fertility. x

[LKT1]

Hello, I know how you feel. My husband has no sperm in his sample (completely unexplained) so he is due to go for a biopsy in Oct to see if they can find anything internally. The result of this will determine whether we need to use a donor or not. It’s a worrying and difficult time, but it will be IVF and ICSI for us when we get to that point. Sorry I can’t be of help but wanted to let you know you are not alone. Good luck on your journey Xx

[Kari55 in reply to LKT1]

Thank you for your reply LKT1. I’m so sorry to hear about your husband. He must be feeling awful. Mine had a bad day yesterday, he was really hoping for better results. Our consultant told us today that ICSI + IMSI should overcome the problem as luckily his count is good. I wonder what causes for your husband to not to have sperm, I wish there was more info about it. I really hope that they can find it internally. Unfortunately, when Male factor is involved the only answer is ICSI. My husband has got antisperm antibodies on top of low morphology and motility so no wonder we can’t get pregnant. It really does help to know that we are not alone, especially that none of our friends or family had any problems with conceiving. Wishing you all the best xx

[LKT1]

It’s good you have had positive news from your consultant that ICSI IMSI will give you a good chance I have my fingers and toes crossed for you xx

[PurpleH]

Hi Kari,

If you look up the user Llama1 or search icsi success you will find a post she made and be able to get on her profile from there. She made a post about a year ago about how her hubby managed to increase his results quite dramatically.

Good luck on your journey x

[Kari55 in reply to PurpleH]

Thank you having a look now. X