Starting out

[BK1234]

Hello everyone - I’ve been loitering around these boards for a little while and was hoping to ask your advice.

My husband and I have been trying to conceive for around 18 months - we’ve finally had tests done; my bloods came back normal but his semen analysis came back both times very low in volume, mobility and shape...triple whammy

We’re now being referred to an AFU and I was really just hoping to hear from people who’ve been through this stage - what should I be asking, looking into? Is there a good resource that walks you through everything (and isn’t trying to sell you anything)? What do you wish someone had told you at this point?

I just feel so overwhelmed by the process and all the information out there - there are so many acronyms and procedures, I’m still trying to come to terms with the fact that we’re here and I just don’t even know where to begin.

Any advice, reassurance, tips anyone can offer I would be really grateful. Thank you so much xxx

[Belangalo]

Hi Bk, I was in the same situation as you a year ago. We'd been trying 18months, nothing was happening, we go for tests and next thing, mine all come back fine but hubby has zero sperm. Zero. So there was the initial answer to why things weren't happening for us.

Fast forward 1 year. Hubby has had diet, lifestyle, supplements and meds to bring his sperm count up from zero. He actually produces sperm now and while motility is low as well as number - it was a HUGE improvement on zero! Side effect of all this was ED though...so awesome news on a TTC journey. lol

We lined up an IVF appointment and from that day of appointment to egg collection for me was 21 days! It was so quick that I really didn't get time to work out what questions or tests to ask for.

I do believe that male fertility seems to be a bit more easily encouraged with medication and can have really positive results but this doesn't necessarily mean that a natural conception would be possible. You may still need IVF like we have but no two journeys are alike so please stay positive. I sincerely hope that your next specialist can provide you with some good advice and a good direction forward.

FWIW - Hubby's lifestyle changes included a sperm/testosterone friendly diet, changing pants, a male supplement called Menevit, vitamin E, Vitamin D and a whole raft of other vitamins that he was taking anyway. He also got clomid prescribed. it worked to get his sperm count up and they were sooooooo much better (we tested each month or two to check improvements). Once the improvement plateaued we asked for a referral to IVF because if it was as good as it was going to get, no pregnancy in that time either, then it was time to call in the big guns as I was getting old!

[BK1234 in reply to Belangalo]

Hi Belangalo - thank you so much for your reply, it’s really reassuring to hear from someone who has gone through something similar and I’m sorry to hear about your situation and wishing you all the best now you’re going through IVF. It’s great to hear that lifestyle changes and medication made such a difference for your husband - we will definitely look into that.

If you don’t mind me asking did you go for IVF through the NHS? 21 days to egg collection is 🤯 I can’t even get around to cleaning every 21 days!! 😅

Thank you again xx

[Belangalo in reply to BK1234]

Hi BK, Thank you for your kind words! Really, there is quite a bit that can work with men with all sorts of things. We actually had enough sperm for our IVF cycle (ok he had to give two samples on the day) for natural conception of my eggs! That was a big step forward from zero sperm! I do think that we should have been a bit more aggressive in getting into IVF rather than just monitoring sperm each month or so for the last 6 months but we had covid lock down and closed clinics which made us ease up and just keep going along monitoring sperm and trying naturally. My only real suggestion is to not wait so long as we did to get the IVF ball rolling if the sperm isn't really improving too fast.

I am actually in Australia and we went private so had to pay everything upfront (bill was due before they do egg retrieval). There is no NHS rounds for us so you guys have a good resource to make use of if you need to! I honestly have no idea why it went so fast! I am still stunned but really happy that we are now starting this journey - and I was even pleased and happy to be told I had a chemical pregnancy from my first ever IVF fresh embryo transfer! It was, honestly, awesome to get a positive even thought it is failing - because I have never had a positive before! It means that stuff sorta works and I was beginning to think that it never would. So it gives me hope and I stay positive. Bestest of luck to you!! I know this whole thing is overwhelming and there is SO MUCH to learn all at once but I know that you can and will push forward to find answers and start this journey!

[BK1234 in reply to Belangalo]

That is so great that you've seen some success with the first cycle - I think staying positive is the best approach to everything at the moment!

I can't thank you enough for taking the time to respond on here - I needed to hear a friendly voice, and it really means a lot. We'll push forward and very very best of luck to you too. xx

[jengi]

Hello & welcome! I found these websites very useful

theduff.co.uk

hfea.gov.uk

I just want to wish you lots of luck. Xx

[BK1234 in reply to jengi]

Thank you jingo! xx