Help interpreting semen analysis???

[cherrie73]

Hi everyone,
Hubby has had a semen analysis done (Due to rupture of one testicle in a motorbike accident few years ago) We are unsure of the interpretation of the results as each web site we look at gives different information. Our Dr has referred us to a specialist as she is unsure what to do next & could not answer all our questions. :confused:

Volume - 3.0ml
Viscosity - normal
Motility - 43%
Progression - Good
Count - 40 million/ml
Morphology
Normal - 6%
Head defects - 94%

Any info would be great. We would like to know the possibility of conceiving naturally and has anyone had success? Any tips??
I have purchased some Menevit for him to start taking in the hope that this will help.
Cheers, Alison.

[bonnieH]

Hi there,

The first thing your FS (or GP) should do is get another SA done in a month or so.

One SA doesn't really tell you much because it's a bit variable - as sperm count, motility and morphology can fluctuate a LOT over time depending on environmental stressors. According to our doc, a minimum of 2 tests is required before it can be taken as diagnostic. I think it's partly in case something went wrong with the first sample - like overheating, too long before testing etc.

Anyway with regard to these results, his volume is great:thumbsup:, count is twice what is considered 'normal':smiliedance:, his motility is reasonable :yelclap:and his morphology is not so great:detective:. BUT, again, this is only one test. Has he been sick in the last three months? Has he had a binge drinking session or 10?

I think he should be referred for an ultrasound of the testes if the second test comes back with the same morphology.

If you think about it, there are still millions of normal, progressive sperm in there so I think your chances are good. It might just take a bit longer than usual.

Also, remember, it takes around 3 months for sperm to be formed, so the menevit will take at least that long to kick in. Also look at L-carnitine. It's really expensive but it's the only supplement which has been clinically shown to improve sperm parameters.

Good luck!:babydust2:

[cherrie73]

Hi Bonnie, thanks for the info. I too thought that another test would be a good idea but the GP wants to refer us because of my age...a whole 34yrs...didn't really think of myself as nearly past the use by date!! Maybe seeing the FS will be good as they will be able to answer our questions better than the GP. I think they will order more tests as a first line of treatment. We shall see...
Cheers, Alison.

[Ethereal]

Hi,

Firstly, menopause is the real useby date.

(I had my first baby at 34 :D) Pls don't be discouraged. I then had another at age 40.
So I don't believe you are past it, the female body is really amazing.

Now with your hubby: There are some books available on how to improve sperm quality at very low cost.
One of the books is called 'fertile fathers' by Ruth Sharkey. She has also written other books about how to boost female & male fertility.
She also has a healing centre but the info in the books alone is quite potent information IMO. http://www.sharkeyshealingcentre.com.au/

Francesca Naish also the author of several books on achieving good fertility naturally.

(Your local library might have these books- mine did.)

And lastly what really worked for me was the billings method of tracking down my window of fertility. www.woomb.org (http://www.woomb.org)

Well, I hope at least something here will be of some use to you.

Goodluck

[bonnieH]

Hi Cherrie,

RANT ALERT!!! :banghead:

I was thinking about this last night...and today...and I have to say (shout if I may) WHAT A **** DOCTOR YOU HAVE BEEN SEEING! (Hope it's not your relative or anything:o)

Sorry, but I think it's the hugest cop out on her/his part to do a single test and then refer you to a fertility specialist. Further, I'm completely astonished that s/he couldn't answer your questions. The analysis of the SA is actually written on the printout that the doctor gets from the lab! It's not rocket science for him/her to read it and maybe do a bit of research if s/he needed more info for you? Isn't that a GP's reason for existing?

In addition, given hubby's past history, shouldn't it have been a uroligist s/he referred you to - rather than a FS. And, s/he should have referred hubby for an ultrasound of the boys bits so whatever specialist you see has some information to work with. Otherwise, you wait for your first appointment, pay the big bucks and all that happens is you're referred for a bunch of tests (SA, hormones, ultrasound) which the GP could (should) have referred you to in the first place.

I really think it would be a great idea to stop seeing your particular GP given his/her decision to refer on the basis of a single SA - but :iagree: with Ethereal that you should totally ignore the implication of the referral, which is that you will trouble getting pregnant.

How negligent of him/her. At your age, it should only raise eyebrows if you've been trying for a year! Especially after implanon. Why not try out another GP - one who actually paid attention during the lectures on how babies are made?

For a start, FSs are expensive, and they're inclined to go straight toward interventions - which puts a **** load of stress on your body (and wallet) and should be avoided until it is clearly necessary.

Sorry for the rant - I just get annoyed with GPs blythely steering people toward FS (who's expertise is in how to intervene) when there's no hard evidence that the people even need intervention.

Anyway, good luck eith it all. Keep us posted on what happens?

RANT COMPLETE :flowerz:

xxx

[KatiesMum]

Hi :wave:

Bonnie H is right - your doc DEFINATELY should have ordered another test.

Sperm tests can easily be an innacurate guide ... and the most likely thing to change is morphology.

Basically there are 3 main areas of importance when it comes to spern tests
a) count - anything over 20million is considered ok. Should be in a volume of around 2ml or so.
b) motility (movement) - sperm need to swim a fairly long way in order to fertalise the egg, so only the ones who move well will get there. 50% motility is considered normal, so at 43% is certainly not a barrier to conception
c) morphology (shape) - again only the normally shaped sperm are able to penetrate the egg. Morphology rates are usually quite low, so anything over 20% is good.

Morphology (shape) is the MOST likely of these to be affected by the stress of giving the sample, so if the morphology levels are below average, a repeat test is routinely ordered. Giving a sample is often very stressful on the little guys, so the swimmers are often bent out of shape ......:D

My DH did a first sample which was well below par, did a second sample which came out absolutely fine ....


As far as being referred to a FS - I actually think that is ok. If you have been trying for a while and not conceived a fertility specialist will be able to help you with basic advice and some simple tests. Infertility (whether yours or his) is a couple issue .... and should be dealt with by someone specialising in that area. Dont go for intervention too early ... but the FS will offer you monitored cycles and the like as starting points which can be really helpful.

Lastly - to improve sperm quality and quantity - healthy diet, excercise, taking menevit etc are great steps. I have heard lots about sperm being improved dramatically by some of these things.

Good luck
:flowerz:

[cherrie73]

Thanks for the replies, I definitely will be going with dh back to the Dr to ask her for another test. I have spoken to people at the IVF clinic about taking samples & they said that he should ejaculate every day for 3 days then abstain for 3 days then take the sample. Last time he did abstain for the 3 days but didn't ejaculate every day for the 3 days before. Apparently this gets rid of any stagnant & old sperm from the pipes...if I can put it that way LOL!