Special tests for sperm analysis?

peregrinefalconx

Hi Ladies,

I have finally convinced DH to do a sperm analysis. He has to leave work early (not good) to go get it done and I've told him that if we need to do IVF, he's going to have to do this anyway. He has agreed to make me feel better. Our RE has said multiple times "if he can get you pregnant, it's not him" and of course, my DOR would tend to indicate it is me. However, I've always wondered if it could be him--Dr. Google says male factors can play a role in RPL. He's had blood work and karyotyping, but no SA.

My question is, since my RE doesn't seem to think it could possibly be him (which makes me question them), is there some test I should be making sure they do? I know they will do motility and morphology, but are there less common tests I should be aware of? I am, yet again, trying to drive the bus. TIA!

Alternately, should I  just let them do their job??

katib77

There can always be things wrong with both people. We were dx as MFI, then I was dx with LPD (not too big a deal right?) But after five IUIs we moved on to IVF and FET and t was realized I had fairly crappy eggs too. Just because you are DOR but have gotten PG doesn't mean he can't have issues - yet it's a close bet that at least his count will be high. Motility and morph may be off. But no matter what, you're in it together if its one or both of you.

TheAerialist

Obviously I am not a doctor, so this is speculation/assumption, but it seems pretty simplistic to say that sperm is not a factor in repeated loss.  If the cells aren't forming properly, and the cells are 50% from the sperm...  ???  that's just my first thought.

My second comment is that my RE tests sperm right off the bat.  What's the harm of knowing (unless it's prohibitively expensive, I guess we will find out since we dropped his off there today for the testing) I haven't even had any appointments yet but the SA is right on the top of the list.

blackbird818

Heck even my OB requires a SA before doing anything else. Now mind you it took almost 7 months from the time he wrote the lab order for my H to get it done (he dragged his feet ALOT :-w ). I find it odd that YH had b/w and karotyping done before a SA. 

I'm glad you're pushing for the testing and advocating for yourself. I don't know of any specifics beyond the standard SA to ask for. I would say let them do their job at this point (as far as this issue is concerned).

mkfish31

My husband just had his SA done for my RE last week. Got the results yesterday which showed that my husband's sperm count, morphology, and motility are all great. They did find that he has a chronic infection in his sperm which they think is likely from his prostate. My RE said it is causing me to have endometritis and could certainly have caused problems during my pregnancies.

peregrinefalconx

mkfish31  That infection thing is one of things I worry about. I will be seriously miffed (understatement) if a simple test, that nobody wanted to perform, caused particularly my last MC where I had an actual baby in there. I hope your situation cleared up!

It does sound like there is a mixed bag, yet again, of how these REs conduct business. To me, I would check out both partners and not just chock it up to one partner, even if there is a known issue.

blackbird818  Yes, thanks. I think getting it done, but then expecting them to know what to do from there is a good way to think about it.

I made an appt for him and cancelled it (again) to wait until this 2nd opinion... thank you thank you!