Hi all,
Me and my hubby have been told today, our next steps are IVF, husband had low sperm count but has got better however morphology is 2% and hasn’t improved over the course of a year and half, any advice I should take on board? I’m still quite shocked and trying to get my head around. I’m only 24 and didn’t think I’d be having to do this. X
Hello Chloe. I remember the 15 October 2015 so well. Not only knowing that IVF was probably a route but also the severity of it (I required donor eggs). The first thing I want to tell you is you’re an absolute warrior. You can do this. You both can. It doesn’t matter which of you that has the problem; it belongs to you both and so does the love and desire to have a child. Welcome to the group. Come here often. Reach out to ladies (and men! There are a few) who have similar diagnosis as yourself. Eat healthy, but eat the cake and drink the gin. Plan the holidays, the weekends away and make time for you both. Remember, you’re 1 in 6. Around you there are more couples than you think that struggle. Big love. x
It is a shock and you'll both need some time to get your head around it. It's a tough journey but with your age being in your favor and techniques like ICSI available to help the sperm along I would think it's a pretty positive outlook 
I think the advice above is perfect - don't let it take over your life. And stay away from Google - you'll only come across horror stories!! This forum is great and whether it's a question you have, or needing advice or you just want to vent there is loads of knowledge and support here xxx
This is a bad habit of mine. I use google for everything and my mind goes into over time. Defo something I need to stop doing! Xx
Hi chloe, I'm also 24. Me and my husband started treatment just after we were married 4.5 years ago. With us it is my fertility, I do not ovulate on my own. I tried 2 rounds of clomid and had no response, I then had 6 rounds of injections, 5 rounds I over responded and the cycles were cancelled and one round unfortunate ended in a misscarraige last year. I began ivf stimulation in December, and my eggs were collected first week of Jan. We were fortunate to get 8 good blastocysts out of 21 eggs suitable for freezing as all of them had to be frozen due to over responding. Finally on the first of may we had our transfer and as of tomorrow we will be 12 weeks pregnant 🤞. Its a hard journey, but like others have said - age does work in our favour. I honestly didn't find the IVF process too bad, the worst part for me was the length of it. If you'd like someone to talk too you are always welcome to message me xx
I was 28 when we got similar news and I did expect it because we are prone to bad luck but at the same time it wasn’t and still isn’t the way I want it to be. Taken so long to get to a point where I’ve just accepted it and that it’s just the journey we have to got take. Still waiting for funding to go through with NHS. I wish I had money as I would have had at my first go at least. 8 months ago and we are still no further forward however I have become stronger and more resilient which has been a blessing in disguise.
Good luck on your journey, you have your age on your side. support your husband as he will probably be struggling as much as you. X
Hi Chloe, we got this exact same news yesterday. Husbands sperm count less than 1m so told less thank 1% chance of conceiving without IVF. It’s really hard news to hear. Would be good to stay in touch as we go through a similar journey. Although, we will have to go privately as we have one son so won’t be funded on NHS. We were 25 when we had him, and he is a miracle baby, so don’t lose all hope. I’ve been told the fact we were young had a big impact on the fact we conceived. Have been trying years for number two but miracles don’t often happen twice! Xx
Sorry to hear of your news. It comes as a shock, as it happens naturally for so many people, and you think it will be easy for everyone. We knew something was wrong, but I didn’t imagine IVF would be a option. We’ve taken a few days to spend alone and just let it sink in... it still hasn’t for me yet, but I will slowly get there. I would defo like to keep in touch along your journey too. I wish you the best of luck xx
Chloe, welcome to the group. This group has been my saviour. We all trod a different path but there will be people on here with a similar journey to you. Although our fertility challenges may be different, the emotional side of the journey is where we can support each other. Be kind to yourself and each other and never loose sight of the end goal. Wishing you lots of luck Xx
Hi Chloe, like you and most people here I never thought we would be in this boat. Neither of us had any health issues and both fit and healthy. When tested by husband had 0sperm. After a small procedure we found he was missing the tubes which produced sperm. We had never even heard of this happening before. This group has been amazingly supportive and when you feel like you’re on your own and lost, you find someone with the same or similar experience so it’s a good place to come. We are just starting our 2nd round of IVF and ICSI with a sperm donor. It was a difficult decision to use a donor and we grieved for not having a child with both DNA but once we made the decision we moved on quite quickly. Look into adoption as well just so you know what other options are out there. We didn’t think it would be for us but if round 2 doesn't work we will go down that route. The support when adopting sounds amazing and not how we thought it would be at all. In the end, all that is important is the baby or child you will welcome into your family. It doesn’t matter how you get there.your journey may be different to some of your friends but your little one will be just as loved and even more treasured. Wishing you all the best ❤️Xx
Unfortunately IVF doesn’t discriminate on the young, the old, the round, and the thin.
My only advice is do your homework on clinics , the process and how to maintain your sanity. Making time for you, your body and your feelings.
You need to know your never alone in the world of IVF... my BF has been trying since she was 22... and at 42 has only just cracked it! This shows strength, perseverance and hope... a dynamic trio.
In my cynicism, I love doing homework as clinics don’t give you the whole picture. They break it down piece by piece... which for me doesn’t work, as I want the whole picture.
We wish you luck... chin up xx I wish I started at 24...
Hi Chloe, yep IVF isn't just for the late starters but it must be hard for you as less of your peers are likely to be going through similar issues... This forum is fantastic. My query is...does you OH take any medications or have any health issues ? XX
He has sleep apnoea but no medication. X
Proceive max really helped my husbands sperm. Loose boxers, cut booze, no bath no cigs
Where can I buy the Proceive max? I was told morphology is the hardest thing to change. He took supplements and his some count went back to normal, but no changes in morphology.
My husbands improved in all areas and morphology back in normal range. I googled the proceive max to find best value supplier and think holland and barrett got in end. Its about 50 pounds for one months supply of the powdered sachets that make up a drink. He also changed to loose boxers and cut down on alcohol. He didnt smoke that often but cut cigs out too.
Hi, welcome to the club if I may say. It can be scary and daunting but you have your age on your side which is a big thing in the IVF world. Also, I have been told that there are specific diets and supplements which works in helping with improving sperm quality. Maybe some people on the forum will be able to advise you?
Please remember, you are a woman, you are a warrior, deep inside you, you have the strength to climb this mountain.
Also, the forum is a great place for support and asking questions regarding treatment. Please come as much as you need. There will always be someone here for you. Take some time to digest the news. Take care xx
I have heard supplements help sperm count etc? Which he did try and his sperm count returned to normal, however morphology stayed the same which I’ve been told is the hardest thing to change. Xx
Hi, I did not know about that. What about acupuncture? Xx
Good luck to you. I hope it works for you. I can understand that it must be very hard for you. However, stay strong and positive! Don't lose hope. Make sure to eat a diet that is full of nutrition. Drink lots of water. Sending baby dust your way.
Yes it's difficult to believe we have to put ourselves through something like this to achieve what others have so naturally. At the same time try to think how amazing it is that we have this chance, science behind this is a true miracle too. You will get through this, you are stronger than you know🤗🤗
Hi all.
Sorry for the late reply, me and husband have taken a few days to spend alone. I would like to thank each one of you for your comments, they mean so much to us and it puts me at ease knowing I can speak to people who are going through the same thing. 😘 xxx
Hiya lovely just reading your post ! It is such a shock hearing you need ivf, it’s not what any of us planned. My partner was diagnosed with azospermia 0 sperm count ! But after going for surgery we managed to retrieve sperm and through ivf I’m currently 17 weeks pregnant with a little girl :)... they can perform miracles these days! It is a hard journey I’m not going to lie, but take each day as it comes, i joined lots of groups on Facebook and online for support, it helped a lot ! I wish you all the luck in the world on your journey xxxxx
That’s amazing! Thank you. This has given me hope... I wish you well with the rest of your pregnancy xxx
Hi Chloe, Im pretty new to this group but it has been a godsend. It's hard to talk about things especially when everyone else seems to do it so effortlessly but there's a lot of fab people on here to talk to. I have been ttc for 3 years before I was referred to consultant who said I had PCOS. I am now on meds for 6months (currently 3 months in) and then its IVF. It was this time last year that I sat in the consultants office and I remember just zoning out and not listening after the initial diagnosis 'you won't conceive without help' ringing in my head like a drum. I walked out the office taller then when I went in and managed to get my prescription before breaking down. It's really hard and its so hard to get your head around - give it time and chat on here. It really helps - if you ever need to chat feel free to msg me
This group is amazing, it makes you feel like you’re not alone. We’ve been trying to conceive for near on 3 years also. I was the same. I held it together in the room, and as soon as I come out I broke down, I’ve allowed myself a few days with just me and the husband, I still don’t think it’s sunk in, but all we can do is take each day as it comes. I’m so glad and overwhelmed by the response from everyone, it’s like a little family here to support everyone which I’m so grateful for. I’d like to follow you to see your journey and I wish you the best of luck with everything. Same goes to you always here for a chat xxx
Hi Chloe, we have just had our 3rd (and final) failed IUI which means we now start IVF. Ive also really struggled to accept this and to be honest Ive just felt really sad for myself! You are certainly not alone
I’m sorry to hear that, I’ve always been feeling sad for myself, but hoping and praying for better days. I send my prayers and I wish you well on everything xxx
It worked IVF worked!!!!
IVF success - but I’m so scared 
So my IVF journey starts today!
Looks like this MIGHT be my 6th failed FET...
Ivf what’s it like-secondary infertility 
