Thoughts/Opinions (long)

softbalangel · March 2011

I'm conflicted and would like your ladies thoughts/opinions.

Our current diagnosis is MFI. H's last SA showed concentration of 6.5 M/ml (according to the paperwork 15 M/ml or greater is normal), Total Motility of 12% with Progressive Motility of 9% (normal progressive is 32% or greater) and 7% Morphology. I'm still undergoing testing.

Our RE said that IVF w/ ICSI is our best option. Pending the results of my tests we have are tentatively planning to cycle sometime late summer/early fall.

My H and his ex-wife "tried" for about a year with no luck. The split right around the year mark due to other reasons. A couple months after they split she got pregnant. H had wondered if he was the cause and when we started talking about trying, he went and had a SA done.

Here is where I'm conflicted. I kind of feel like we are jumping the gun by pursuing treatments since we have only been trying two months. I know so many others have been trying longer. But then on the other hand, I feel that if we wait it might be to late. Our RE feels that my H's issues could be progressive and could get worse over time.

Any opinions or advice is welcome.

TIA

ecleptic · March 2011

There's no harm in trying on your own for a while. It's a big jump to IVF- we went straight to IVF with ICSI as well but I'd had just over a year of trying to get me on board to pursue treatment. Even so, my husband wasn't ready to jump to IVF immediately after our diagnosis. He spent 6 months in and out of a couple of urologists who all said the same thing- ICSI was our only chance of a biological child (we're even lower count than you- about 150k post wash and there's no known reason). Even after 6 months of being told the same thing, he asked for a break over the holidays to wrap his head around it. It'll be 11 months this week since the first time we were told IVF and we're just now in the middle of our first IVF.

All that said, there came a point when I had to let myself stop taking pregnancy tests and watching for my period while he got on board with treatment. Our chances on our own are sufficiently minimal that I didn't need the pain and stress of an extra 12 cycles of negative tests. If it takes one of you longer to be okay with it than the other (or heck, it takes you both a while)- that's okay. Alan was disappointed by my period for months after I'd given up. He needed to get there on his own though. It's too big to jump into before you're both ready.

Charmire · March 2011

We just found out that my husband has low testosterone which may be contributing to his low numbers. We'll find that out in April when DH meet's with the urologist. I think that ultimately it is up to you as to when you feel comfortable starting treatments. It may be that after you get more testing on your husband that you find out that he has a "fixable" issue. Or you may find out that you also have issues and will want to start trying right away. In the meantime, you can still try on your own until you have more information. FWIW, our RE told us that with my issues (and now DH's) our best shot is IVF w/ICSI, but because of current finances we have to wait to pursue it. Meanwhile we are having fun trying to prove the RE wrong. Good luck with whatever you decide.

ChicagoWeded2007 · March 2011

As long as you still have a lot of eggs and you are young, you have some time to decide. So, if you want to try on your own for a while or try a few IUIs, it can't hurt. Sometimes it just takes a while to wrap your head around it, but if you don't get pregnant after a while, you'll be more likely to just be ready to go to IVF.

ChicagoWeded2007 · March 2011

Also, I wanted to say that our RE told us that IVF was our only option. Then we went to the urologist and found out that there was treatment to help increase his count and try IUIs first.

CityPixie · March 2011

I can only speak for myself but once we knew we wanted a family, we wanted a family NOW. It takes a LONG time even in the best cases. And so especially since you are aware of some factors that will make things a little harder, why not go directly to a specialist, you know? just my 2 cents.

theworms · March 2011

If all your testing comes back normal, there is no harm to try on your own. I would ask your Dr. for odds of conceiving w/o treatment with your DH's numbers. I would also set a go the RE date so that if it doesn't happen you know when you will move forward with treatment.

Here's some info about MFI

https://infertilityfaq.blogspot.com/2009/09/male-factor-infertility-mfi.html

and a great site

www.maleinfertility.org

they have a page with lifestyle and vits that can help improve sperm

GL

Jlynn3 · March 2011

theworms:

If all your testing comes back normal, there is no harm to try on your own. I would ask your Dr. for odds of conceiving w/o treatment with your DH's numbers. I would also set a go the RE date so that if it doesn't happen you know when you will move forward with treatment.

Here's some info about MFI

https://infertilityfaq.blogspot.com/2009/09/male-factor-infertility-mfi.html

and a great site

www.maleinfertility.org

they have a page with lifestyle and vits that can help improve sperm

GL

Worms is wise

We were also told IVF w/ ICSI was our best option. We consulted with a urologist, but there weren't any options for DH. We put off IVF for several months while we wrapped our heads around it. It's a big leap and definitely deserves some thought.

Wishing you lots of luck!

softbalangel · March 2011

theworms:

If all your testing comes back normal, there is no harm to try on your own. I would ask your Dr. for odds of conceiving w/o treatment with your DH's numbers. I would also set a go the RE date so that if it doesn't happen you know when you will move forward with treatment.

Here's some info about MFI

https://infertilityfaq.blogspot.com/2009/09/male-factor-infertility-mfi.html

and a great site

www.maleinfertility.org

they have a page with lifestyle and vits that can help improve sperm

GL

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it.

nola8446 · March 2011

I think worms gave some great information! I do not have any advice to give you, but wanted to wish you luck with whatever decision you come to. I know it is so difficult and daunting and we are always here for you.

softbalangel · March 2011

nola8446:
I think worms gave some great information! I do not have any advice to give you, but wanted to wish you luck with whatever decision you come to. I know it is so difficult and daunting and we are always here for you.

This board and all the wonderful ladies on it, has made it so much eaiser to deal with all the emotions that come with IF.

Want a personalized experience?

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