DNA Fragmentation - explanation for our MMC's

[LauraEW]

Hi all. Update from me...

We had our results from the Urologist on Friday, as suspected partner has high DNA fragmentation, 10% is however normal. Good news is we know why we keep miscarrying now. Also good news that his varicocele surgery from 3yrs ago is still all fine - no varicocele causing trouble Now we just need to increase that 10% before we start again.

We have been referred to a fertility nutritionist & now will alternate between Impryl & Proxceed (previously we did Impryl only) then re-test end of September hoping to see that normal 10% increase.

From there he has advised that we will either go for IMCI (Plan A) or retrieve the sperm directly from the testicles (Plan B) as he thinks the damage is being caused by the fluid when ejaculating (sorry TMI!) - this is something he will also test in Sept to see if that is where the damage is happening. Has anyone done this and had a more successful outcome?

I am already implementing an anti oxidant Mediterranean style diet. Please let me know if you lovely lot have any further advise / success stories etc. when it comes to DNA fragmentation.

xx

[LCharlton]

We're in a very similar place!! My husband has 7% normal sperm (!) and we too have been to the urologist and the nutritionist - though in our case the urologist has also prescribed hormone medication for my husband. Fingers crossed for all of us! Also I hope your husband likes salad more than my husband xx

[LauraEW in reply to LCharlton]

hahaha he is OK on the salad front - not too happy about the lack of sweet treats however!! xx

[LCharlton in reply to LauraEW]

Thank goodness it's summer, I keep giving mine "dessert" of huge bowls of strawberries and cherries and I've made ice lollies out of pureed banana, LOL xx

[LauraEW in reply to LCharlton]

oh gosh me to haha. I already feel like I've got a child - always thinking of crafty ways to hide fruit and veggies in things!!

[Hidden]

Can I ask (if its not too nosy) why you were referred for these tests? I have had 4 MC now and all they have done is the usual recurrent bloods and stuck me on blood thinners... no one has ever considered that there may be a problem with my OH. Interested to know if there was a specific reason why you were sent down that route? Thanks so much x

[LCharlton in reply to Hidden]

Personally, we knew my OH had an exceptionally low sperm count but no-one had ever been interested in working out why, because the fertility world tbh is really sexist and all the consultants just kept looking at me even though all test results kept showing everything with me was normal. We did one cycle and had a low fertilisation rate even with ICSI (3 out of 8 eggs injected) and then only one early blastocyst that ended in a miscarriage. Something wasn't working and there was no medical reason anyone had found why. So I basically threw my toys out of the cot and refused to do another cycle unless we saw a urologist first and got him to check my husband out properly. I'd suggested it right at the start but my husband wasn't keen and the IVF consultants basically pooh-poohed me and started talking about factories and were like "it's perfectly normal, some men just have a slower conveyor belt" - sorry, but I'd rather have him actually tested to see if there's a reason. Which there was (hormone issue amongst other things) xx

[Hidden in reply to LCharlton]

Thank you so much this is invaluable info. Really hope you get some good news soon x

[LauraEW in reply to Hidden]

Hi Daisy. Not too nosy at all! So sorry to hear of your MC's.

I actually self-referred us to a private urologist. I knew the problem was most likely with my partner, much like LCharton, I found that very little attention was given to the male factor, even though we knew this was where the problem was happening. Through lots of reading, listening to podcasts and talks I knew we had to get further testing done.

They ran all the recurrent miscarriage tests on me and everything came back normal. Tried blood thinners too - still we miscarried.

One thing I've learnt through this process is that you have to be your own advocate, research and push for what you need. Unfortunately our doctors and clinics are often so busy we just get rushed through the process. If I could do it all again I would have started with the urologist and further testing before all our ICSI rounds but hindsight is a great thing!

I would recommend watching the IVF Babble cope talk on male factor infertility. I also read It starts with the egg and Zita West's guide to fertility - both of which i found hugely insightful.

Hope that helps. Happy to give more info if needed xx

[Hidden in reply to LauraEW]

Super helpful thank you so much. I am so pleased you seem to be getting some answers and really hope you have a successful pregnancy soon x

[try2020 in reply to LauraEW]

Those IVF Babble talks are amazing!!!

[Luna_79]

Hi there, so pleased you have some answers and so good to know that there are things that can be done 😊 x

[LauraEW in reply to Luna_79]

Thanks Luna. I'm keeping all my fingers crossed this will be the one! Staying positive xx

[HPLondon]

My husband had very high DNA fragmentation because he has retrograde ejaculation (where sperm goes into the bladder rather than out - so it had to be retrieved from the urine which basically killed it!). After two failed rounds with this method he had a surgical retrieval which meant about 85% of his sperm was normal. We got our BFP from this (am due in a few weeks) and some Frosties.

We saw an incredible urologist who did the procedure and he talked about how he takes the sperm from a slightly different area of the testes which means they are more likely to be mature. All quite new developments. Happy to pass on his name if you need, he’s the best and v well renowned.

[LauraEW in reply to HPLondon]

Thanks so much for the info and congratulations on your BFP!! Lovely to hear success stories Would be great if you could inbox me his name, I've a feeling it will be the same guy we are seeing as he is v well renowned - will put my mind at rest if it is! x

[K8dferXdder]

hi all, looking for tips on clinics where to have bilateral varicocele treatment for my husband. Please PM me with a clinic name and cost please. We woukd travel anywhere in the UK to get it treated at a reasonable cost!

Do you think treating it led to your success? Thank you for all the tips!