Trying to conceive while husband has ED?

CDJ_08-09-08

My DH has ED problems.  It is hard because we can't just do it whenever we want to increase the chances of conceiving. Some advice I have read when TTC is to practice every other day which sounds great but right now we are spending over $100 a month on viagra just so we can!  Anyone in a similar situation?  Help!

He had these ED problems long before we were trying to conceive.  We started noticing it as he turned 30 (2 years ago).  He has seen the doctor and the doctor says it is normal in men his age. :-(

krissyh21

Do you chart or use OPKs at all? I would think narrowing down the fertile days you have would help control the cost somewhat. You will need to have sex around the days of your positive OPK or if charting when you are most fertile.

stepgirl21

I would talk to your OBGYN and see if they will send you too a IF specialist immediately instead of waiting. If you don't have IF problems, sounds like you might be a good candidate for IUI. That way your DH can take his Viagra and only have to make a deposit once a month. IF is hard enough on the sex life without adding ED into the equation.

lovinthefall08

I'm in the same situation along with MFI.  Dh's ED though is a side effect from cancer treating medications.

We did find Cialis works better for him.  I'm paying more attention to my body and ovulation so we make sure we get the most out of those wonderful pills.  We try TI a 2 days before I think ovulation is coming, Again when I get a OPK positive and the next day for good measure. 

I would suggest getting a semen analysis done.  There could be other issues going on besides ED.

Lots of luck

epphd

I'm sorry you are struggling.  I know very little about male factor issues, but intuitively it doesn't sound right that ED is "common" in 30 year old guys.  Has your DH seen a urologist and/or had bloodwork done to check his hormone levels?  Sorry I can't be more help. 

yogisunam

My DH has problems in that area. He's 30. Can't really figure out why, doctor seems to think it's performance anxiety. He *can* do it without, but it's really hit or miss so during the fertile time ("the week of the sex") we just go straight for the pill.

DH has tried acupuncture with some success at helping him out.  And we're hoping to move to IUI's soon so hopefully this stress will go away.

CDJ_08-09-08

that is a good idea!  I think I will ask that.  Thanks!

yogisunam

epphd:

I'm sorry you are struggling.  I know very little about male factor issues, but intuitively it doesn't sound right that ED is "common" in 30 year old guys.  Has your DH seen a urologist and/or had bloodwork done to check his hormone levels?  Sorry I can't be more help. 

Mine has had bloodwork and we have found low testosterone and off FSH and LH in him. His SA was fine though. It's a frustrating mystery.

Tryingtogetpregnant

One of my BF's and her DH had this exact same problem. It was worse though - he couldn't take viagra or anything because he takes heart medication. Anyway, they went to an RE and did an IUI. Sure enough, first IUI did the trick for them. You might try that if all else fails....they tried for 8 mos. on their own first - it just got to be too much pressure and too frustrating.

Good luck!

 

Bradbride

Get him to a fertility urologist ASAP. One of the side effects of low testosterone is ED.  He needs to have bloodwork done.  Has he had a semen analysis yet?

CDJ_08-09-08

He got a blood work up and the doctor said everything looks fine.  Just said that his blood vessels have trouble constricting?  Or something...whatever it is that Viagra helps apparently!  I like the idea of Cialis much better, giving us a 36 hour window but he said that brand gave him headaches :-(  He has not had a semen analysis done yet though.  I guess we should ask for that too.  I sort of like the idea of IUI so that we dont have to worry about the actually task of getting it up there!  haha!  Does anyone know alot about IUI...is it expensive?  Painful?  Etc?  I wonder if insurance would cover that or if they would think it is not medically necessary since ED is the problem....HMMMMM.....who knew all this would be so hard?  You spend so long trying NOT to get pregnant and then you want to its hard!