Pcos/ low sperm count: Hi all, I am... - Fertility Network UK

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Pcos/ low sperm count

Eeeek profile image
19 Replies

Hi all,

I am just starting out with my journey via ivf! I am sitting writing this waiting on my husband having his semen analysis done.I have not started any treatment as of yet!

Is there anyone else starting their journey with ivf? The NHS has been a nightmare with regards to waiting lists and covid so 4.5 years later here i am …going private.

Has anyone had ivf and got pregnant first time round? The odds are against me age, low sperm count (husband) and Pcos.

Any advice would be welcomed 🙂

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Eeeek profile image
Eeeek
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19 Replies
Nabsal profile image
Nabsal

does nhs took 4.5 year to get you nhs cycle. Private is very expensive. I just had private though it’s failed but private is very expensive.

Eeeek profile image
Eeeek in reply toNabsal

Hi Nasbal,

My husband is currently taking impryl so hoping that will help :)

Yes, the waiting list just seems to be getting longer! I’m just fed up of the delays especially when I’m old 😬

I’ve not heard of proxeed, thank you! I will look into this 🙂

Nabsal profile image
Nabsal

what nhs saying why too long wait

Nabsal profile image
Nabsal

low sperm count can be okay with proxeed men. Start take that for three months. Then go for ivf . Hopefully you got pregnant naturally.

JA-fnuk profile image
JA-fnukPartnerNurseFertility Network UK

This forum will prove to be great source of information and advice during your journey - Sure you will get some replies full of information For more facts about fertility take a look at our website fertilitynetworkuk.org [ about different types of treatment - investigations - how to cope with stress - health tips and support groups ] Take your treatment a step at a time - if unsure of anything ask questions about it this will hopefully help your stress levels

Take care of yourself and of course your OH

Janet-Partner

Hoggley profile image
Hoggley

Hi Eeek, I got pregnant 1st time with ICSI. I too have Pcso and I was 33 at the time. I was on a long cycle of merifert and I had 16 egg, 4 fertilised but only 2 made it to blastocyst. I had a fresh transfer and I now have a health 3.5 year old. Since then all my transfers have failed but I still have hope. We have been private for the last 4 cycles with no success due a FET early Dec. I found taking inofolic twice aday and coenzyme q10 (600mg) have improved my egg quality so this might be something to look at. Although it can rake 3 months to improve egg quality. I even drink beetroot juice from day of FET to try to improve things. There is always hope and everything is worth trying. Good luck on your first journey. X

Eeeek profile image
Eeeek in reply toHoggley

Hi Hoggley,

Thanks for your reply! I’m so pleased you got pregnant at your first try ☺️

There’s so many sad stories of things failing so it’s good to see some positivity. I’ve never heard of co-enzyme will have a look at that!

How many cycles can you have? I hope you get some good news soon x

You can most definitely get pregnant in your first round, and IVF is typically quite successful with PCOS. 36 is not too old either (though yes over 35 technically things do start to get a little harder).

However, it's still a bit of a lottery, with so many hurdles. I think the best advice is to not set yourself up to fail. Do the parts within your control as best you can (take a good prenatal vitamin, maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle) and hope for the best. There are so many aspects out of your control, it's pretty common for it not to work first time around. Doesn't mean you won't get there in the end. 💖 Wishing you luck on your journey.

Sorry to hear you've had to wait so long that you've gone private! Hopefully it works out for you first time. X

Eeeek profile image
Eeeek in reply toPineappleCrumble

Hi pineapple crumble,

Thank you for your reply! Sorry I mean I’m so old compared to my parents who had a 16 year old at my age 😬

Thank you for all your advice, I will definitely take that on board x

Blessed5510 profile image
Blessed5510

unfortunately, we are on IVF 5… long story. But my husband has low sperm count as well. We have had 2 miscarriages and 2 failed all together. We used ICSI for every cycle, but for this last one, we used icsi plus Zymot. It is supposed to pick the best sperm with less dna fragmentation. We are praying this works we are waiting to hear back from our pgt testing. This round, we had on 5 day, (2) 3AB, on day 6, (1) 4AA, (1) 3AA, (2) 3BB embryos. Hoping we get some normal ones out of this lot!!!

Wish you the best!!!!

Eeeek profile image
Eeeek in reply toBlessed5510

Hi blessed,

I’m so sorry that you and your husband have went through all of that heartache 😢

I’ve got everything crossed that you get some happy news soon 🩷 xx

Blessed5510 profile image
Blessed5510

thank you so much 💕! We did get some good news today. We have 4 normal embryos and 2 mosaic! We needed this news today! I have a follow up with the doctor next week and I hope we can start soon!

Eeeek profile image
Eeeek in reply toBlessed5510

Yaaaaaay!!!!!! 😃

Sending Positive vibes 😍😍

Eeeek profile image
Eeeek in reply toBlessed5510

Hi,

How are you getting on?

Blessed5510 profile image
Blessed5510 in reply toEeeek

We have a transfer date of the end of the Monty (Jan) but it may get pushed back a week because my SC needs to have another saline ultrasound. Then we will be on schedule if all is well after that. After her MC, they wanted to make sure all was good before we started again. I’m not too fond of the remote clinic however, they have been closed since before Christmas which is causing the delay. But we will be patient… we have to !!! Thanks for checking in!!! Hope you are well!!

CarlottaD27 profile image
CarlottaD27

Hello, exciting that you will be starting treatment soon.

I too have PCOS (no male factor issues) and have just had my application for funding go in - if it’s approved we should be able to start in March, so that won’t be too long to wait, but you never know with the NHS. I’m 34 so a similar age to you and also worried I’m “too old” vs friends who have had children in their twenties. We will also go private if there are more delays as I’m already desperate to be a parent, like most of us on here must be.

I’ve been trying to eat a high protein and low sugar diet as it’s meant to help with egg quality which may be impacted by PCOS.

One positive thing a nurse told me was that PCOS patients tend to get more eggs (due to higher AFC) so there may be potential to create more embryos. We are also considering PGT-A testing if we have multiple embryos to ensure we’re transferring viable ones. But of course this is all dependent on having a successful collection and there are so many uncertainties!

I’m trying to remain hopeful of that I’ll have a baby one day but trying not too much pressure on it happening as soon as I’d like…

Best of luck and I’m keen to follow how you get on! X

Eeeek profile image
Eeeek in reply toCarlottaD27

Hi 👋

I’ve only just had my husband and I blood and sperm results! We have been told we would be able to start treatment March/ April that’s with us going private. My AMH is high due to the PCOS disease, but even with a high amount of eggs it doesn’t mean that I’ll be guaranteed a child. Not getting my hopes up just yet 😝

That’s exciting though that we will be starting treatment at the same time ❤️

I’m very much keeping my stress levels low and whatever will be will be. If I don’t have a child it’s not the end of the world, there’s always adoption 🙂

Please keep me updated of your treatment xx

CarlottaD27 profile image
CarlottaD27 in reply toEeeek

That sounds like a really positive outlook! Best of luck x

Eeeek profile image
Eeeek in reply toCarlottaD27

Best of luck 🤞 xx

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