New to Board! Sperm Motility and Morphology Issues

wifeinraleigh28

Thanks for the info @roxgibbons!  The urologist says the clomid has a 95% chance of increasing testosterone, though the chances of increasing sperm count are lower.  However he believes that my husband going off the androgel will fix that problem.  His natural T levels are so low though (which is genetic as his dad has the same problem but never had any issues conceiving).  Really all we want is a way to keep his T levels in a normal range without it affecting his sperm count!  Hopefully clomid will do the trick and won't take too long to kick in.  I don't want my poor hubby suffering from low T again 

roxgibbons

@wifeinraleigh28 I agree low T is no fun for the husbands. I'm sure your husband will go great on the Clomid and since he's off Androgel there should be some big improvements. I think you may  have mentioned it but are you going to wait to do an IUI once you get the next results or are you going to start trying naturally?

wifeinraleigh28

@roxgibbons I think our plan now is to see what happens with his lab results and future SAs... if everything comes back normal with this treatment we will try naturally for awhile to see if we have some success with good numbers.  If this treatment plan doesn't increase sperm count and/or if we try for awhile and aren't successful, then we will go ahead and do a couple more IUIs and then move to IVF.  I really don't know how long we should try for before going back to the RE... I guess as long as I can handle it?  Haha.

You said you were feeling better after talking to your RE... what are your plans now?  Will you return to IUIs after your procedures in the new year?

roxgibbons

@wifeinraleigh28 the RE talked me through the procedures and what's he thinks may be going on in Lehman's terms so I felt better understanding everything especially regarding the tubal cannulation. The first step is the polyp removal which is pretty straight forward and it is scheduled for Jan 13. Unfortunately, the tubal cannulation is frustrating because it looks like as of now everything is booked up until February and the radiology department can't schedule that far in advance. So the plan is to call when I start my period first week of January to schedule it.  I'm more nervous about the tubal cannulation because if indeed my tubes are blocked there is no guarantee they can unblock them. The best is if the blockage is near the uterus, he explained it;s easier to unblock. In the event the blockage is really bad or they can't unblock, then IVF would most likely be our only option.  My hope is they go in there are there is no blockage at all! That would be awesome

So if all goes well my RE said we could resume IUIs in February/March after the tubal cannulation.

In the mean time, I am going to see an acupuncturist next week for a consult and see if that could be helpful at least to relax. In a way it will be nice not worrying about TTC the next couple of months but I am 37 so time is ticking for me. 

wifeinraleigh28

@roxgibbons Keeping my fingers crossed for you that there are no blockages!  That must be so nerve racking, not just knowing you have to wait to schedule the appointment but then after that you will have to wait to find out if there's a problem.  At least if you end up needing to do IVF the success rate is SO much higher than with IUI.  You could actually end up with a BFP much sooner that way.  *hugs*  I'm feeling like it's going to be such a wait for us as well.  It was easier on my mind when our plan was to have our next IUI in January and then if that doest work do another one in February and if that doesn't work we'll start the process for IVF in March, etc... but now I feel like we're just going to be waiting for many cycles to come and it could be another year before we get our BFP if this doesn't work...  And the thought of us having to wait until 1/28 just to see if clomid is starting to work is driving me crazy.

I like your idea of trying acupuncture!  I might want to do that as well.  I have been going to the chiropractor every 2 weeks like clockwork and that has really helped with my headaches and overall stress levels, otherwise I would be a much bigger mess right now!

LGW2015

@roxgibbons echoing @wifeinraleigh28's sentiments, my fingers are crossed for you and am hoping that your tubes are not blocked/easily unblocked!! I know the wait is incredibly frustrating, but I'm hoping that you both are on the path to BFP! And @wifeinraleigh28, I really hope your DH doesn't have side effects from the low T that are too bad, hoping it all balances out sooner rather than later for him!

An update from my side of things: I did my HSG on Thursday and got the all clear. DH went to the urologist today and I think it's good news. Basically he said that there's nothing physically wrong with DH. And he said that motility is the only issue with his numbers, although it's not so low that we can't conceive naturally. He said that based on the numbers, it will take us longer than normal to conceive but it can still happen. Our chances are 30%-40% lower than normal odds each month. He said that low motility combined with my long cycles is why it's taking so long. Hopefully starting clomid next cycle will speed things along! DH is supposed to go for a 2nd SA asap, and as long as it's the same or better than his 1st, no follow up is needed. If it's lower than the dr will send him for bloodwork.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday xoxo

wifeinraleigh28

Thank you @LGW2015!  I'm hoping we see some improvement at our next SA on 1/28 and I wish it wasn't so far away!!

That is good news that your urologist thinks you will be able to conceive naturally, but also hopefully the clomid will help give you a boost as well so it won't take too long!  Keep us posted on the results of the new SA.  I feel like MFI is a bit of a minority on these forums and we definitely have some very unique struggles.  I'm glad I'm not the only one though and that I have you lovely ladies to talk to!

roxgibbons

@LGW2015 so glad you got your all clear! My DH has low motility too but our RE wasn't too concerned and thinks with the herbal supplements it will improve.

@Wifeinraleigh28  I'm happy you and your DH have a good plan lined up. I know we were both hoping our time off would be short but we will join the TWW wait boards soon enough

I called yesterday and talked to a different nurse and got my tubal cannulation scheduled for February 9th, not the best date (I was hoping for January) but I am praying that it's nothing or easily fixable. I'm not sure if IVF is an option for us- but for now I will just have to wait it out.