Introduction

mfranks043

Hey everyone!!

After lurking for a bit, I finally summoned the courage to write a post.  So let me introduce myself.

My DH and I have been TTC since October 2012.  DH was dx with low testosterone before TTC and was put on testosterone gel.  We found out after 4 months of trying, we found out that testosterone can lower sperm count, so DH immediately stopped.  Still no BFP, so DH went to urologist and had first SA done in May 2013.  SA results came back that count and volume were normal, but motility and morphology were abnormal.  Prolactin level was also high.  A MRI was ordered and it showed that he had a tumor on his pituitary gland.  So we were sent to an endocrinologist and he was put on medication to hopefully shrink the tumor.  In the meantime I went to my OB/GYN and after getting some history, he decided that I was fine (he didn't think testing was needed). 

After about 5 more months of TTC and DH being on medication, I went back to my OB/GYN to see what other options we had.  He still didn't think I needed to be tested because I had AF once a month (the cycle length varies between 24-37 days).  He suggested we do "cup inseminations" for 6 months to see if that helped. 

After the first month of cup inseminations and a BFN, DH decided that he was done playing games and thought we needed to go see a specialist.  We saw our RE in December and she thought that we BOTH needed to be tested again.  My blood work came back normal, my HSG was normal (and can I say, that was not the most pleasant procedure), and my u/s was pretty normal, besides not being able to clearly see my left ovary (possibly because my RE thought I had recently ovulated from that side).  She thinks that because my cycle length varies from 24-37 days, I may have a slight ovulatory dysfunction, but nothing I need to be too concerned about.  DH's labs were normal.  His SA results were abnormal again: good volume, but low count and morph. 

So the plan is that with this next cycle, I will start on Clomid with HCG trigger shot and an IUI and progesterone.  She thinks that if we can increase DH's volume, that might increase more good sperm to work with.  So we will be getting a special condom that DH and I can collect at home and transfer to the clinic (luckily we only live 10 minutes away) in hopes that will be a better collection method.  Sorry-TMI!!  We will try that for 3 cycles (unless she can see a major problem beforehand) and hope and pray that it works.  If not, we will have to regroup and talk about our next options, aka IVF. 

Anyway, that's me in a nutshell.  I hope that I can come here and get advice and support and maybe do the same for others!! 

Here's to 2014-hopefully a very successful year for all of us!!!

violetmarie61516

Welcome and I'm sorry you have to be here.  MFI is such a hard one.  The variables and changes are so hard to deal with.  I am interested to see if the new collection method helps with his numbers though.  We have been dealing with MFI too and that's always been in the back of my head (changing the collection method).  Let us know how it goes!

BRaven985

Welcomes and good luck with everything!

DreadGamerWife

Welcome.  We have also battled low T MFI and in the end, decided to go IVF this round to help get around that problem (counts varied between 8 mil and 46 mil on meds).  Hopefully the IUI and different collection method will work for y'all.  Is your DH on any fertility meds (Clomid, HCG, etc) - aside from pituitary tumor meds? 

LSN8308

welcome and best of luck on your IUI FX!

HopeFloats090212

Welcome and best wishes!

mfranks043

DreadGamerWife, my RE did talk about that at our first appointment, but because of the cost, especially for a male, she didn't really put it out as an option.  I may bring it up later if things aren't working.