DH Low Sperm Count

[Dancing Girl]

DH and I have been TTC #1 since Oct last year. I know it's not that long in the scheme of things but we are impatient already. I was wondering if anyone had had any experience with their DB/DP/DH having low sperm count.

DH was tested about 6 or 7 years ago (before we met) and was told that he had a low sperm count (about a 1 in 1100 chance of impregnating a woman). Since then he's much fitter and healthier (or so he tells me ;) ) and is going to the doctor on Saturday to give a sample for analysis.

I'm wondering how long the analysis normally takes, how long we should expect to wait before conceiving and what the alternatives are eg IVF etc.

If anyone has any stories, advice or info, I'd be glad to hear it!!

Thanks very much

[dylansmummy]

Hi Dancing Girl,

I am sorry I can't help you with your question but wanted to say we have been trying since Oct last year and sympathise with your frustration! It feels like ages to me.. good luck with everything.

xx

[Shajbm]

Dancing Girl...DH and I have been TTC #2 for 17 months, and my DH also has a low sperm count. We are waiting to meet our ivf specialist in March...Number 1, they usually tell you to try for 12 months. Given that your DH has had a low sperm count though, you should push to get seen sooner. We got the test results back within 10 working days (depends what other testing he has to do).

There's no way of saying how long conception will take. As I said we've been trying for almost 18 months with no luck...

I don't know about alternatives, my doctors seem to think that there is nothing on the market to increase sperm count...It does depend though on whether DH has a hormonal imbalance that might be able to be corrected with drugs. An andrologist will be able to tell you.

Do you see a gyno/obstetrician?

Shajake

[sunflower]

Hey Dancing Girl

My dh had a sperm count done last month we got the results that day because we were seeing his doctor. I think the results come through pretty quick because it has to be analysed within 2 hours so maybe they could ring through the results that day??

Can't help you with how long it will take for you to conceive and that sort of thing our situation is a little different we are seeing a fertility specialist on feb 28th for maybe ivf because dh sperm count is zero as a result of cancer treatment we do have some spermies frozen though.

Hopefully I was a little bit of help. I wish the best of luck with DH sperm results!!

[Peaceangels]

TTC'ing is an emotional rollercoaster, but this is a great site for support and encouragement (I wish I'd known about it when we were ttc!).

We took almost 6yrs to fall pg with #1 and you begin to feel like an experiment yourself with all the test's etc. I don't have any personal experience with low sperm count (DH's count was fine, but I had endometriosis which was our problem), but I do know that taking zinc tablets will help the cause.

Goodluck - you'll be holding that baby in your arms sooner than you think!;) :)

[Jacki]

Hi Dancing Girl,

Just wanted to let you know you're not alone. We've been trying since Jan 2005 and have now been referred to a specialist for infertility investigation. My bloods have come back OK and I'm just waiting for a Laparoscopy next month. DH will be giving his sperm sample on Monday - he's picked up the sample pot from the clinic so he can do it at home - has to get it there within an hour, has been told to keep it warm and they suggested it's wrapped in tin foil! Hope he doesn't get caught in traffic! So it's no more BD'ing for us from today as he has to abstain for 3-5 days!

Good luck with your DH's test results.

[Shajbm]

sunflower...who's your specialist? where are you seeing them?

[sunflower]

Hi Shajake

I'm going to see Dr Bronwyn Devine at Sydney IVF Canberra

[Dancing Girl]

Hi guys

Just an update on DH - he gave his sample to QML yesterday and we can get the results on Tues afternoon.

I've got no idea what the result will be, but at least we'll know whether there's an issue with his little men.

If there's no issue, I guess it's my turn to go to the doctor.....

[dylansmummy]

All the best for tuesday DG.

x

[Blueshell]

Good luck on Tuesday!!

[Shajbm]

Good luck on Tuesday

[JATS]

Good Luck!

[Dancing Girl]

Well, here's the update guys.

DH got his results on Tuesday and apparently he had a good count and nothing was wrong. So that leaves me - having never been pregnant, I don't even know if I do (or ever have) ovulated, even if I have a 28 day cycle.

The doctor suggested that I start temping and if no joy by April, he will refer me to a specialist.

I'm really too lazy (this month anyway!) to record temps, so I think we'll just BD every 2nd day and if there's still no BFP by next testing day (11/3), then I'll start temping or OPKs.

Thanks for the support and I hope everyone is well!!

[Jacki]

Dancing Girl - Good news about your DH's results. There might not be anything wrong with you either so don't worry at this stage:)

You may recall that I'm in a similar situation - we get DH's results tomorrow - but I'm already booked in for a Laparoscopy in 2 weeks (would have got in sooner but opted for a Saturday appointment) to have a look at my reproductive organs. My GP referred me to a specialist after we'd been trying for 12 months. Specialist then did pap smear and booked laparoscopy at first appointment and I had a blood test the next day! He certainly didn't muck about.

Wishing you all the best in the meantime and hope you'll have no need to see the specialist;)

[Dancing Girl]

Hi Jackie

I saw your DH's results were also normal - that's great!!

I hope all goes well for your op - after 12 months you certainly deserve some answers :)
Good luck and let us know how it turns out

I'm hoping there is nothing wrong with me either - maybe my body is still adjusting to being off the pill. We'll see how things go this month.....

[Krissy]

dancing girl i know how fustrating it can be i have cysts on my ovaries but perfect hormone levels and quite regular cycles but im still not ovulating each month which is so fustrating i hop ethat there are no major problems your DH sperm count results are great im sure if you relax and just bd every second day you will be fine i have herd allot of couples have falen pg doing that

goodluck