IUI and Sperm count

mvalz1214 · June 2011

I'm hoping you can give me some insight. i just had my second iui this morninng and i was told after the fact that the sperm count was only 3.1 million. should i have even bothered having it done? i feel so mislead by my dr. What is the ideal count it should be and also how long are you supposed to abstain from intercourse before the procedure? i have heard mixed things. my Dr. told us to have intercourse on Saturday night after my HCG injection. Does that seem right?

babina868 · June 2011

Is 3.1 million the post-wash count? I'm surprised that they told you the sperm count after the IUI. I'm always given a form with all of DH's numbers on it to sign to verify that they're giving me the correct sample.

We are always told to have intercourse the night of the trigger, and then again the night after the IUI. We also have mild MFI.

I think they usually want to see above 5 million for numbers, but I've definitely seen success stories on this board with lower numbers. Here's a link to some statistics: https://www.advancedfertility.com/insem.htm#spermcount

And here's a link to stories with people who had success with around 3 million post-wash: https://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/48985287/ShowThread.aspx#48985287

BeeBee08 · June 2011

babina, thanks for posting! I am in a similar situation this month so was happy to see the link to the other success stories.

OP - I swear the "minimums" are just put there as a way to drive us crazy. Good Luck!

eponine7682 · June 2011

Hey there,

I had a similar experience. My DH count was 6.5 mil. I posted on the SAIF and PAIF boards because I was worried, and there were a few ladies who responded that they had successful IUIs with 1 million count! So, GL to you and try not to worry! It only takes one!

mvalz1214 · June 2011

Yes. It was post wash. They never gave me any forms. If the IUI doesn't work this time I am planning to change doctors. Anyone you can recommend? Thank you very much for the links. I'll check them out.

eponine7682 · June 2011

mvalz1214:
Yes. It was post wash. They never gave me any forms. If the IUI doesn't work this time I am planning to change doctors. Anyone you can recommend? Thank you very much for the links. I'll check them out.

Where are you from? I am in NY and I highly reccommend CNY Fertility. They really should have showed you a form with your DHs numbers on it to verify that they were giving you the correct sample and all that. I would def. look into a new doc.

jessican08 · June 2011

I know how frustrating that can be, I'm sorry.

3 million post wash is a little low for IUI as they normally like to see closer to 10 million BUT there are success stories out there with lower post-wash numbers as the PPs have said.

DH and I abstain for 3 days prior to the IUI, then our RE tells us to have intercourse the night of the IUI and the next day. GL!

bryantgirl · June 2011

It's not uncommon at all for the sperm count to be given post-wash. My RE says anything over 10mil is good for an IUI. It just takes 1 is my thought!

Best of luck to you!

abvernon · June 2011

Interesting how the numbers vary per RE. For this last IUI, the RE likes to see a minimum of 1 mil POST wash.

I am always given the information of DH's sample pre and post wash. This one was 8 mil pre wash and 3.5 mil post.

GL!

Mrs.LisaP · June 2011

My clinic likes at least 5 mil. post wash for IUI's. They will proceed with less than that, but it lowers your chances. However, I have seen people get BFP's from counts as low as 400,000 with IUI and there are a few ladies on SAIF that have had successful cycles in the 1-5 mil. range.

2have2hold · June 2011

mvalz1214:
I'm hoping you can give me some insight. i just had my second iui this morninng and i was told after the fact that the sperm count was only 3.1 million. should i have even bothered having it done? i feel so mislead by my dr. What is the ideal count it should be and also how long are you supposed to abstain from intercourse before the procedure? i have heard mixed things. my Dr. told us to have intercourse on Saturday night after my HCG injection. Does that seem right?

:Lurker coming out:

I wouldn't be so quick to cancel, I got pregnant and DHs post wash count was 2 mil. I was also soo disappointed but my RE assured me that 2 mil is good enough. And sure enough, I got my first BFP that cycle. GL!

PS: we also had sex that evening after the IUI

ecleptic · June 2011

Minimums varies by clinic and you'll want to trust your doc. If you don't- then after this cycle I'd look for one you feel you can trust. Try not to second guess- it'll drive you nuts.

My clinic said IVF under 10million (pre-wash I believe), IVF with ICSI under 5 million. We were nowhere near 5 million (less than a million pre-wash, 150k after wash) so it was either DS or IVF.

Edited to add: My clinic is also pretty conservative. 3 days of bed rest after IVF transfer, etc. So I wouldn't take my numbers as gospel- only an example of how each clinic is going to be different.

Gregermis · June 2011

For my IUI, I only had 1 million motile sperm for the procedure. My RE said they like to see 10+, but would have been happier with 5-6.

IT ONLY TAKES ONE THOUGH! My 1 in a million was in there... I got pregnant that IUI!

mvalz1214 · June 2011

Thank you for all of your support ladies. I feel a little better about the situation now. Hopefully this one will result in a positive preg test. Thanks again!

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