Male Fertility with PCD

[Trt01]

Hi

So I’m new to this place! My names Tom, I’m 25 years old and I live in North Dorset. I was diagnosed with PCD when I was 5 years old. I manage my PCD pretty well, I haven’t had a chest infection in the past 2 years and I’m pretty fit and active working as a tree surgeon aswell as being a keen mountain biker and have never had any issues with my PCD hindering either of them.

I’m at the age now where plans for children are not in the so distant future. For the last 5 years or so I’ve blocked out the likely hood of myself being infertile almost with the attitude of “I’m sure I will be”, but I know I think I’ve been a little naive.

So Im just looking for some advice really from any guys or girls for that case that have gone through the process and share there advice/stories if they’d like to. As I’ve said I’ve been pretty naive and upon looking across the internet the last few days it has sudden sent me into a bit of panic mode.

Thanks a lot!

Tom

(I’m keen to talk to others with PCD as I’ve never came into contact with someone, can be about anything 😀)

[fionac66]

Hi Tom ... there isn’t much evidence about male infertility in pcd however there is a new study which you might like to take part in pcdsupport.org.uk/new-ucl-s...

Good luck

Fiona

[FPolly]

Hi Tom!

25 is a great age to start thinking about having a family and the hurdles you may possibly cross!

Initially, you’ll probably need a sperm sample/analysis done through your doctor and that’ll be your starting point.

‘If’ your sperm mortality/wiggle rate 🙃 Looks low then you can be referred.

(I know it’s different from a woman’s perspective, but I’m part of a forum that has the wives of men in there so this is kind of an idea/overview)

Some people don’t have any issues with fertility. And others do....(I hope you’re one that doesn’t)

Personally, it took two rounds of IVF for my little boy and we’ve just had a failed sibling round.

IVF mayyyy be on the cards if your sperm looks like it’s affected. If that’s the case, depending on where you live, you may be entitled to funding but currently it’s very much postcode lottery. However, if it’s something you did need, and could afford to be seen privately, it most definitely takes a whole load of stress out.

Sometimes it can take people years to get to the point of actually having IVF through the NHS

(Which is why it’s great you’re turning your head to it now)

In terms of supplements, I’d strongly suggest starting a Male fertility support vitamin.

I’ve tried not to give information overload, but more than happy to answer any questions.

Essentially the doctors is your first port of call to have your sperm checked.

‘If’ you did need help in having a family, I’d recommend factoring in a couple of years into your timeline for testing/ investigations etc and that will go for both parties. Unless you have private care.

I hope that helps.

Xx

[Trt01 in reply to FPolly]

Hi Polly!

Thank you so much for the advice you’ve given me! I’ve contacted my PCD clinic about it and they are arranging a fertility clinic appointment for me which is great.

We aren’t looking to try for a baby yet but within 2 - 3 years it would be on the cards so that does tie in well with what you said with said give it a couple years if needed IVF.

Just want to prepare myself now and be ahead of myself rather than being a mad dash and getting stressed out by it!

[AnjalMehta]

hello, I’m Anjal and 23 years old and have not even thought about this in order to not have a mental breakdown but do let me know. also, could you please share your PCD experience with covid? I don’t know any guys who also have PCD so it would be nice if we could connect. i know this post is like 10 months old but i hope my message is received lol.

[Pcdrick]

Hello Tom I have PCD and when we were trying for children I was about 32-33( I didn’t know I had pcd until this stage, I always had lung and sinus problems but they never knew why it was). We tried for a baby over about 2 years which at this stage we both got tested via nhs Fertilty they found my sperm did not move I had very good amounts and quality it was just the Tails did not move. Which left us with the option of ivf and they put the sperm into the egg. We where eligible for one round of ivf on the nhs. The eggs fertilises but unfortunately it was not a successful pregnancy. We left it a year and funded our own round and now have a little girl and hopefully another one soon. Depending on where you live depends on how many rounds you get! We also both had genetic testing to make sure my wife didn’t have the same defective genes so it would not be passed on the a baby this is optional. My advice is book and fertility test and you will then know what if anything you are dealing with the nhs funding for ivf etc takes a while I left it a late really but all good now. They found out I had pcd from all the fertility testing it all linked together.