Any hope with high sperm DNA fragmentation?

[MofM]

My partner has just received his results and despite having perfect sperm parameters, it seems that >50% of his sperm is highly fragmented (we did not receive the results yet, just discussed them on the phone with the consultant). The consultant suggested IMPSI/PICSI (I hope I got the name right).

Does anyone have any wisdom regarding this?

This is not the news we wanted to hear...

Many thanks in advance!

[TTC0011]

My husband also has fragmentation - see a urologist if you haven't already and consultant a fertility nutritionist for the best supplements ad diet for him. We're 6 weeks in to my husband doing it and we'll retest at the 3 month mark.

[MofM in reply to TTC0011]

The problem is that I am already in the middle of a back-to-back stimulation cycle (we did the DNA fragmentation test only because I insisted) so there is no time for improving his sperm

[Chompers13x]

Hi, sorry to hear this. My husband has high DNA fragmentation >85% which was extremely upsetting when we got the news last October. We are in down regulation at the moment for our 4th cycle. We will be doing PICSI this time. Since we found out about the high fragmentation my husband has restricted his diet, no alcohol, no cycling at all, no hot baths etc. He has been taking supplements daily that specifically help with fragmentation issues and has weekly acupuncture. We’ve thrown everything into it in the hope that we just need that 1 singular good little sperm! Just need to find it and hopefully with PICSI we will be able to 🤞 My consultant was, although understandably gave us other options (sperm donor) he was also optimistic that to make the changes we have and to persevere, we still have the chance for this to be successful. Don’t let this news take over your dream to be parents. We decided to take a 3 month break to get the supplements in before we started again following our last failed round in October 2020. I unfortunately had a cysts form in down regulation in February which caused us to stop that round. So being positive it’s given us extra time to take more supplements and more acupuncture. Everything crossed for you and if you would like to chat more then please pm me xx

[MofM in reply to Chompers13x]

His diet is already ok (apart from the extra coffee/soda here and there), he completely cut out alcohol and has been taking a bunch of supplements for the last 1.5 years.

The problem is that I am already in the middle of a back-to-back stimulation cycle (we did the DNA fragmentation test only because I insisted) so there is no time for adding something in the mix to see if his sperm improves.

We may go for PICSI as well, we have a second consultation tomorrow but sperm donor has been mentioned already yesterday.

I thought our situation was bad (my age, thyroid issues, acquired thrombophilia....) but this makes everything much worse ;(

[Chompers13x in reply to MofM]

I really feel for you. I know what your going through and it is really difficult. Don’t lose hope. PICSI is what we are going for too. You literally only need one to make this work. I’ve found it difficult to see the light going through this journey but what keeps me going is that no one has said there is 0% chance and therefore we are going full steam ahead. High fragmentation doesn’t mean this isn’t going to work for you, it’s just another hurdle to overcome. It’s also difficult to process the new information when you’re full of drugs and the anxiety of going through a cycle. Good luck - sending you all the positive energy 💜

[MofM in reply to Chompers13x]

Thanks for your nice words. I find this particularly difficult to process today. We have a second consultation on Monday, let's see whether there is any news. It will be a long few days.

[Chompers13x in reply to MofM]

I really do know how you feel and some days are just rubbish. Tomorrow will be better and whilst there are options, there is hope xx

[Barenina in reply to Chompers13x]

Can I ask you what supplements he has been taking and has it helped? My partner also has high DNA fragmentation.

All the best,

Nina

[MofM in reply to Barenina]

He took the standard Vitabiotics conception for man plus Alpha Lipoic Acid and Omega 3 -- all his spermiograms were fine, so we were not expecting a problem in his sperm, only in my egg quality.

Once we got diagnosed there was no time for new supplements (I was starting my first cycle in less than two weeks) so we stuck with the combo above and hoped for the best.

[LauraEW]

Hi there, my partner had very high DNA frag, we were able to hugely improved this with a 3 month diet, lifestyle and supplement plan we got after seeing a urologist & nutritionist. We are currently 14wks pregnant after naturally conceiving- having previously been told we had less than 10% chance of this happening! Best of luck xx

[MofM in reply to LauraEW]

The problem is that I am already in the middle of a back-to-back stimulation cycle (we did the DNA fragmentation test only because I insisted) so there is no time for adding something in the mix to see if his sperm improves.

Also, in general, his diet is fine and he has been taking a bunch of supplements for the last 1.5 years.

[Hopefullymine888]

My partner has a fragmentation as well, he has been using proxeed (I think that’s the right spelling) it’s a supplement he mixes with water. We buy it from Amazon and have had great results. Good luck in your journey to all of us here x

[MofM in reply to Hopefullymine888]

I've heard about it. The problem is that I am already in the middle of a back-to-back stimulation cycle (we did the DNA fragmentation test only because I insisted) so there is no time for trying this (I think you need to take it for at least three, right?) and see if his sperm improves.

[Running79 in reply to MofM]

If that’s the case can they not just do egg collections, freeze them and fertilise later?!

Never done it myself so not sure how they do it whether they can re- freeze?!

[MofM in reply to Running79]

I have heard that egg freezing is only for young ladies -- old ladies' eggs (like mine) do not thaw/fertilise well. I have a second consultation on Monday, I will ask about this as well. Thanks xx

[Running79 in reply to MofM]

As I say it’s just an idea, I’m not really sure as not been that route - always good to ask

[MofM in reply to Running79]

Yes, it is a very good suggestion, I did not think of it!!! xxx

[Elle_hope]

Don’t worry about being in the middle of it, keep going. In my opinion keep to the current plan and do PIMSI. My husband also had high frag and saw specialist etc and after months of proxeed/supplements/acupuncture his results were the exact same, no different. So we went ahead with PIMSI and now pregnant. All they need is one good one and they can find it. You can do this!!!

[MofM in reply to Elle_hope]

Your story really gives me hope!