the men

Radiantly

Hi, starting a new thread here - for those of you BDing with a DH (I know some are doing donor sperm/egg/all sorts of other alternatives), is there anything that the men have been doing in terms of their health to help be more fertile?  

I understand that sperm take about 90 days to develop to maturity, so 3 months ago my DH was juuuuuust ending his super stressful work season.  I have been giving him ayurvedic Ashwaganda herb every so often (he will take it if I say it could help) which is supposed to be good for stress, and I should be giving him Shatavari as well (which I take because it's really good for women's reproductive health).  

He has stopped smoking 'the other stuff' as it can lead to low sperm count & other possible issues.

He is going to his first ever acupuncture appointment tonight!  For me (I mean, for our baby)

Curious what everyone is going through with their guy?  Is he being supportive to you and is he taking any vitamins or doing anything specific? I know some have vented about him not wanting to BD sometimes... what else is going on that perhaps is not spoken about?  Do you feel supported in this process?  

Davie813

**child mentioned**

DH is being supportive, but I'm definitely the one with the baby fever! 

I think it's slightly different in my case because we have a 10-month-old, and my FSH recently tested borderline high, so we know it's much more likely that any problems are on my end--his fertility isn't likely to have changed dramatically in such a short time.

He's taking a regular multivitamin formulated for men (his "man pill"), and folic acid.  If the acupuncturist tells me to stop taking maca, I'm going to give the rest of the bottle to him (it's supposed to improve sperm count and quality).  He did take one of those over-the-counter semen testing kits (they only check sperm count, not motility or anything), and will have a real SA if I do end up going the RE route next month.  Again, though, the problem is almost certainly me.  His main responsibility is just to show up and BD.

Lesliem0901

Hi there. I try to get my DH to take a daily multivitamin, fish oil, and CoQ10. He's not very good at remembering to take them, so I have to constantly nag at him.
I asked him if he was willing to try acupuncture; I thought they could pump him up with natural herbs and supplements. He said maybe. I guess that is better than no.
I was wondering if anyone could recommend a men's multivitamin that supports fertility. I was looking on Amazon.com, but wasn't sure what to chose.

URMySunshine77

(child mentioned)

We do not have any apparent fertility challenges at the moment, so DH isn't concerned with changing his diet. I asked him to start taking a multivitamin, but I'll probably have to go buy it. He wants another child too, but it is difficult (and was TTC#1) scheduling sex in my FW. In fact, we had a colossal fight about it the O day that DS was conceived. (We rarely fight.)

KirstenAlecia

My H just decided to actually make the efforts for a SA (without me pushing him) so I know he wants to get this baby thing going (more than I do Im afraid) 

We will get that taken care of soon I assume. 

He is finishing grad school so stress and time and being tired is a factor in our lives right now. So Im not pushing anything until he is done in August. In the mean time I am going to look into this extra stuff that might help. I think getting the SA is a good starting point. I highly doubt there is any issues but its the easiest place to start looking. 

lcwed

I think this is such an interesting thread.  DH hasn't been doing anything other than BDing mainly because I didn't know there was things on his end he could do.  I saw what Maca does but what parts do CoQ10 and folic acid help.  I have some folic acid left over after switching to prenatals.

Davie813

lcwed said:

I think this is such an interesting thread.  DH hasn't been doing anything other than BDing mainly because I didn't know there was things on his end he could do.  I saw what Maca does but what parts do CoQ10 and folic acid help.  I have some folic acid left over after switching to prenatals.

Folic acid is supposed to help men out pretty much the same way it does us.  It reduces the percentage of chromosomally abnormal sperm (or so I read).

bumpuser10258960

DH takes a daily multivitamin + fish oils. He's been really good about taking it. For those who don't like vitamins, my DH would recommend getting the Gummies. That way he doesn't feel like he's taking too many pills. He has also given up caffeinated coffee (so we don't have to brew two different pots on the weekends) and exercising more. He is trying to cut down on the amount of beer he drinks (he brews his own) and has started researching how to make alcoholic free beer for me when I'm PG (even though the idea scares me a little). So overall he has been super supportive and I've done a pretty good job about not telling him exactly how obsessed I am with baby making!

Samuelismomma

My H takes zinc and multi...zinc is very prominent in sperm..it's a very important...they can also eat a pack of sunflower seeds, if they don't like supplements. If your H smokes these are important ...zinc, multi, vit C , helps free radical damage!

Radiantly

Update - so my DH went to acupuncture yesterday for the first time EVER and he was like "honey, ill go for a month for you but i wasn't that impressed."  haha.  She told him that he needs to "build his blood" by eating more berries, beef.  And to drink less coffee.  He's going to go for a month I guess. I' m happy!

TAT2MAMI

@Radiantly - That's awesome that you're DH is willing to try it for a month.
My DH takes all sorts of vitamins in the morning, including one which is called "Blood Builder."
However, he drinks coffee and smokes. 8-|

Radiantly

@tat2mami, did you O? are you tracking BBT?

Bigboneded

My H won't take suggestions from me, but if the Dr says it.... so he is on fertility vitamin, his S.A. was within normal limits. Except Halo testing was close to abnormal, so he takes fertility vitamin daily now. Good, cause when I say "this is good, this will help" he says it doesn't matter for guys.... drinks too much, doesn't smoke.

Jmaddiso

My SO (we're not married yet, so i can't call him DH) is SUPER supportive! He's started taking vitamins, eating better, he still smokes, but he's cut back considerably, and is working towards quitting all together. He can't take DHA or Omega 3's as he's allergic to fish and fish byproducts. He's also cut back on caffeine a lot as well. We've not been trying all that long, so he hasn't gone to a fertility specialist to check out his guys, but i'm sure if we got to that point he would with no question. I think he feels guilty as we didn't get pg last month and he thinks it's his fault because he was exhausted from long days at work during my last o week. So now he's all about getting pg this month during our window! Lol!

yellowcat10

Based on all our testing it appears as though the main issue we are having is low motility.  DH started taking zinc and selenium at his doctor's suggestion but stopped the vitamin C and multi because he claimed it upset his stomach.  He will also cut back on beer for a month or so but then when he is stressed starts up again.  Does anyone have any suggestions on supplements that might help or diet?  We both eat really well so I don't think this is his issue.

ewenner

This is an interesting thread.  My DH is very supportive, I think because he's the one with a serious case of baby-fever.  He takes lots of vitamins - I don't even know what they all are, honestly.  His SA came back with poor morphology, and a recommendation to take anti-oxidants, but nothing more specific than that.  We go for our first RE consult on the 14th, so I'm hoping they will tell us exactly what "anti-oxidants" they think he should be taking.  

Davie813

I just added fish oil, maca, and zinc for DH (he had already been taking a multivitamin and folic acid.) he told me today he'd been awake last night worrying about multiple births. I wish it were that easy! (Improving fertility, I mean. I don't want triplets either...)

KirstenAlecia

ewenner said:

This is an interesting thread.  My DH is very supportive, I think because he's the one with a serious case of baby-fever.  

 My hubby too! lol

TAT2MAMI

@Radiantly - I have not starting temping my BBT. I'm pretty sure I O'd (cramping). My highest fertility day was on DH's birthday, so that worked out.

Radiantly

@tat2mami - oh now i get your name, i just looked at your pic.   tattoo!!

my temp dropped today and this morning i got my first smiley face on the OPK.  needless to say we BD'd this morning.  it was such a quickie, omg. duty called and he performed!

TAT2MAMI

@Radiantly - I used to have my license plate as "TA2MAMI," but then I got a new car and didn't keep it. .. I love me some tattoos! What cycle day are you on? I am on CD 20.
Got AF 4/16/14 - 4/22/14.
If nothing happens this month, I'm definitely starting on OPK's.
However, I am going to have to get my gall bladder out at some point! Just went and saw the specialist today. Boo!!

Glad that you BD'd this morning, even if it was a quickie! Crossing my fingers for you!!

Radiantly

@tat2mami - I love looking at tattoos but i don't think i will ever get one.  i think i would regret it instantly! my sister has a beautiful one on her upper arm - it's a Mucha painting, in just black shading. It is gorgeous.  She loves it 8 years in.  

I am on cycle day ...(let me check, it's my favorite thing to do, open that app and stare! haha)

cycle day 18. I got AF April 19-23.

I am pretty sure I ovulated yesterday or today... wish we could have BDed this morning but DH was up at 3am and couldn't sleep, and he was all grumpy and totally shot.  Will try tonight.

Why gall bladder out?!  That sounds painful!  

TAT2MAMI

@Radiantly - I have to say I am a tattoo addict! Don't ask me how many I have or how much money has been spent! LoL .. I only dislike the two I have on my back (each shoulder) at this point. Just shitty work compared to what I have now. My two faves are a drawing that my DD did when she was 3 and the other is a portrait of my beloved grandmother. If I don't get preg this month, I have an appt scheduled to have a portrait of my mom done when she was young.

So we are only 2 days apart on our CD's. Sorry your DH wasn't feeling it this morning. Mine will do it any chance he gets. I know we're shooting for something here, but OMG .. it's a bit much sometimes! LoL

I have had some pretty severe gall bladder attacks in the last month. After having an U/S done, they said I have A LOT of stones and my best bet is to take it out. If I'm not preg, then that will happen this month. If I AM preg, then they said they want to do the laparasopic surgery when I'm out of the 1st trimester. Sounds so crazy to have a procedure like that done while preg though. Makes me nervous!

CaraH

We're far enough in to this journey that DH does whatever is asked of him and is definitely on board.  But, there doesn't seem to be all that much to do.  (We're one of those frustratingly 'unexplained' couples.)  He doesn't smoke and he doesn't drink to excess.  The RE did suggest a fertility blend supplement for him, but he had an allergic reaction and the RE said not to risk stress to his immune system.  I think at this point he'd probably prefer it if someone could tell him 'do this and it will make a difference.'

starlightgator

My DH is mostly supportive. He goes through phases…since it's been so long. We have been TTC since 2009 (1st BFP in 6/12 but MC 8/12). DH took vitamins for a few months when the 2nd RE told him to. But, I don't think he is taking them now. Maybe if the new RE tells him to, maybe we can get him back on track. I'm more concerned about the smoking (both kinds). He says he is trying to quit nicotine smokes and I know he is using the vapors, but still smokes a few a day. So, I just try to focus on my own health choices. I don't smoke at all, but could do a better job eating less sugar and carbs. Today is CD10 and I just found out that I have another polyp to be removed in the coming weeks. Ugh. Trying to have faith and stay positive but tears come often.

Me:40 DH:42

TTC #1 since 2009.

Radiantly

TAT2MAMI - oh no! how do gall bladder stones form, and what happens if you don't have a gall bladder?

kindershlitz

My DH quit smoking for about a year and a half now (yea!), he takes the gummy vitamins too.  I have requested he lay off the coffee but hasn't much yet.  

Not much we can do about the work stress but he has been a proud peacock with his "super sperm" analysis...I roll my eyes here. He did have a cyst removed that was in the power abdomen that was causing elevated white blood cell count so hopefully that has healed up now.  

Our BD is pretty much baby related but we do try to not let him get too backed up if that makes sense

TAT2MAMI

@Radiantly - The gallbladder stores bile that the liver creates. The gallbladder releases bile to help the breakdown of food. There are several reasons why gallstones form. From what I've been told, they are common in women 35-45yo. They also appear with rapid weight loss (me). Bile is liquid and for whatever reason, the gallbladder releases too much and the stones form (?) ...
You can live without a gall bladder. The bile is just routed differently.
I really don't want to have this done, but I also dont' want to live with these painful attacks. I have my surgery tentatively scheduled for June 2nd!   :-<

Radiantly

@tat2mami thanks for the explanation. pain is hard. sorry to hear