Low morph and IUI vs. IVF

SunTan313 · September 2011

Well, I am definitely frustrated. I don't know how this happened, but somehow in all the craziness of starting my first IUI cycle, I somehow misunderstood the cost we paid and what it included. Somehow, I got it in my head that the price we paid included 3 IUI's. Apparently, that is not the case, as I found out today. I feel so dumb.. and what a super huge bummer!

So now, I am trying to decide where to go from here. I am thinking that I am remembering the doctor telling me that he suggests trying 3 IUI's.. and somehow, I heard that as I was paying for 3 IUI's. Who knows. As you already know, this IF stuff seriously messes with your head.

So my DH has 2% morphology, and we don't know where to go from here. I keep reading/hearing that IUI's are a waste of money when it comes to low morph. Is that true? What routes are suggested for low morph? I am trying to decide if we should continue on with IUI #2, wait a month and let DH go to the urologist and me possibly have a laparoscopy to see about endo, or go ahead and start looking into IVF?

What do you know about low morphology and what procedures are suggested for low morph problems? Thanks!

jesselayne8 · September 2011

As long as your husband has a good count and motility, IUI is a good option. MH's morph on his 3 SAs came back at 1 or 2% each time. My RE is not as concerned with morph as he is motility. MH actually had low morph and borderline low motility. IUI #3 worked for us. GL.

ukcats27 · September 2011

jesselayne8:
As long as your husband has a good count and motility, IUI is a good option. MH's morph on his 3 SAs came back at 1 or 2% each time. My RE is not as concerned with morph as he is motility. MH actually had low morph and borderline low motility. IUI #3 worked for us. GL.

This. MH's urologist says that morphology is the less important of the 3. If low morph was our only problem, I would definitely do IUI first.

SunTan313 · September 2011

Thanks for the responses. I just talked with my doc and DH's SA showed 16.9 million count, 55% motility and 1% morphology. These numbers are all down from his first SA. I believe the first SA showed 40-something million count and 2% morph. Can't remember what motility was.. but it wasn't an issue for the first one. So frustrated!

ukcats27 · September 2011

SunTan313:
Thanks for the responses. I just talked with my doc and DH's SA showed 16.9 million count, 55% motility and 1% morphology. These numbers are all down from his first SA. I believe the first SA showed 40-something million count and 2% morph. Can't remember what motility was.. but it wasn't an issue for the first one. So frustrated!

I understand your frustration. MH had lower numbers on his 2nd SA compared to the first. Have you thought about seeing a urologist before jumping to IVF/IUI? They may be able to help get his numbers up.

HotChocolate79 · September 2011

IF is such a mindf*ck. I am sorry you are dealing with this and the financial aspect of it.

MH had between 0% and 1% morphology which stayed pretty constant. His motility varied between 35-50%. Our RE initially didn't recommend more than 2 IUI's but I insisted on another one. I got pg on that IUI (#3).

cutebride73 · September 2011

My DH has low morph as well and we have gotten pregnant twice naturally and once with an IUI (we had 2 unmedicated) - all three ended in ealry losses, as did my 2nd IVF. I think you can get pregnant with low morph for sure - as it has happened for us. Obviously, we have other issues going on, my RE thinks egg quality most likely.

jessican08 · September 2011

JAnna123:

MH has low morph too. I've read very contradicting things which makes it hard to make the IVF/IUI decision. I've heard that morphology isn't a deal breaker and you can get pregnant naturally... AND i've heard that IVF with ICSI is pretty much the only way to get pregnant.

This! My H has 1% morph and unfortunately IUI didn't work for us BUT my RE said he thinks our issues are more egg quality related...at this point we're technically unexplained.

IMO, I feel morph does matter to some extent (especially when combined with a low count) because if the sperm aren't shaped properly, they're 1.) going to have a harder time getting where they need to go in a resonable amount of time and 2.) it's going to make it more difficult for them to penetrate and fertilize the egg.

I don't regret doing 6 IUIs before moving on to IVF though...IUI does take a lot of the sperms' obstacles out of the way and gives you a better chance. GL in your decision hon!

Blueyed228 · September 2011

I got pregnant on IUI #2 with low morphology. Its a CP, but it did work. My RE said morph wasn't a big concern for IUI.

MsGMChick · September 2011

There's a lot of differing opinions: This is just mine.

Our IF Uro broke it down this way.. Morph <4% is pretty much IVF (there are special cases but they're the exception, not the rule). Morph 4-10% is great for IUIs. Morph >10% is keep trying naturally because it'll happen just may take a few longer. With H's low T, counts, mot, and morph (15mil/ML, low progressive motility and 0% morph) our IF Uro gave us a 5% chance of being able to conceive without IVF if things don't change.

Our RE told us this... Morph is used as a predictor for the need for ICSI with IVF and under 4% is that number for ICSI use. Well, look at it this way.. If you're going to need ICSI with that dish for IVF to work- your body is that petri dish. If it won't mix in a dish, it's not going to have a better chance in you.

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