results are in...Sperm count of 8 :/

jessical0604 · April 2012

yes ladies 8..not 8 million just 8..im still shell shocked...

dh doesn't know yet and I'm dreading telling him i really don't want to break his heart, i have even highly debated on calling the doctor back and asking him to call josh and tell him, i just can't figure out what to do, if i were in his shoes i don't know who i would rather hear it from....major tug on my heart strings!

anyway i know the urologist is the next step but does anyone have any insight or experience with such a low count...are there any options for us at all, could there be something that could cause such a low count, i can't seem to find much online and i really hate being uneducated especially if i am going to be the one to tell him.

thanks in advance ladies!

kelnyc · April 2012

*sig warning*

I'm so sorry about his results, and I wish I had advice on how to break it to him. I think maybe just focusing on the next step to find the source of the issue is the best way to go about it. Men often just like to know that they can fix things. Who knows, he could just have some kind of blockage or something, right? GL to you both! ((hugs))

Mrs.B2007 · April 2012

I'm sorry about your results. My husband has azoospermia, so we have zero sperm. Like you, I also got the results and had to tell my husband. I just told him that he dr called with his results and it was not good. I then told him that it didn't matter and we were in this together and I loved him with all my heart. I made sure not to cry at that moment and just be there for him.

First thing is to find a uro that specializes in infertility....I can't stress that enough! Do your research.

Megan3086 · April 2012

My Husband also had a low sperm count. It turned out he had a prostate infection. They found a high amount of white blood cells in his count as well. He is now going to a Urologist. He gave him strong antibiotics and we wont find out what his new count is for a week or so. But a urologist it the BEST next step! Our urologist told my husband if the count dosnt comeup then the next step would be IUI for us. So try to stay positive! At least the urologist can give you a game plan! Good Luck to you and your Husband!

conradtn · April 2012

I got that phonecall at work as well, and had to tell my husband when I got home. It was really difficult and I told him it wasn't anything he did. They don't know what causes MFI. My OB said he could call her to better explain the numbers, so she was able to talk to him about it, and recommend a good urologist. They'll definitely have him take more samples, they won't just base everything on one.

We're dealing with low count and hardly any movement.

Now we have an appt with a RE on 5/14. The urologist feels we may be able to do IVF, but it's up to the RE what options we have.

Hang in there! And there is a great support group here.

winofairy · April 2012

(((HUGS))) It was so hard telling my DH that he was considered "infertile." And that we would more than likely never conceive a child without ART. I think I was more heart broken than he was.

Praying that you can find a good urologist and get some answers and a plan to move forward.

jessical0604 · April 2012

thank you soooo much ladies for your kind worlds of support, one step at a time is the mindset i am trying to be in and i hope my hubby can tell himself that as well....my doctor gave us two urologists to try so fingers crossed not all hope is gone!

Aegis2005 · April 2012

Our first SA was 5, and the RE said 2 are viable and 3 were dead. They had DH do a repeat SA after abstaining for 6 days and that got his count up to 300,000 (which my RE said really means there's about 30 viable sperm - the 300,000 is based on a mathematical formula). We moved forwarded with IVF/ICSI, and we were able to get good embryos. I should note we had a lot of bloodwork done on DH before moving forward with our decision to do IVF.

That said, I keep pushing my DH to go and see a urologist, and he keeps fighting me. At this point we're not looking to "fix" any varicole issues he may have, but I want to confirm this is the reason for the almost non-existent count.

Sending lots of T&P's your way. It's a hard diagnosis for husbands. It's hard for them to watch you have to go through treatment. Just be aware he's going to have a wide range of emotions.

There's an azoo check in on Wednesday, where there are other women going through the same thing.

(((hugs)))

chels38026 · April 2012

I don't have any advice, but wanted to give you (((HUGS)))

jessi1988 · April 2012

Ugh, I remember this conversation well with my DH. He took it so well, I was terrified and he was so positive that there was at least an answer for why we weren't getting pregnant. I did re-assure him that there we other options that we were open to.

You might want to look into retrograde ejaculation, another member on my clinics IVF board had similar numbers as yours and that's what the issue was for them, shr's now pregnant after their first IVf/ICSI attempt! I hope the "talk" went well!

LaLe09 · April 2012

Hi there. We have 14 sperm over here- all nonmotile. My DH has a y-chromosome microdeletion, and unfortunately there is not a good treatment for this. There are other causes for such severely low sperm count including varicocele's, genetic conditions, hormone imbalances, certain medications (like taking testosterone or steroids), and i'm sure there are others.

First, go see a urologist that SPECIALIZES in male infertility. This is important as some uro's do not know much about male infertility and you will waste your time.( I know this from personal experience) They will likely run a karyotype (that's what tells you of any genetic condition) and hormone panels. My DH also had an US of his scrotal area. Our diagnosis was pretty straightforward, but I know some men have to undergo a testicular biopsy.

As far as treatment goes, sometimes it's possible to increase counts, sometimes it is not. Right now, we are working on increasing counts/quality. Our uro says he may be able to bump our count up a little bit, but not to a level that we would not need IVF. My DH's testosterone was also very low, so we are treating that in hopes that his count will bump up a bit. (Any amount will help, right?!) He's taking clomid for this. I also have him on a slew of supplements (conception XR, L-Carnitine, coq10) and he's also made alot of dietary changes as well as started exercising. I don't know if any of that will help, but we are trying to give it all we've got here.

From a RE's perspective, they will tell you all they need are enough sperm to fertilize the eggs. Unfortunately, with this severe of counts, there generally is a higher amount of chromosomally abnormal sperm. It's harder to make chromosomally normal embryos, but it's not impossible. I have seen success stories from this low of counts.

This is a completely devastating diagnosis and men take it especially hard. My DH wants nothing more than to give me a baby and he knows how painful this has been for me. I'm sorry that you guys are going through this.

NMscubagirl · April 2012

first ((hugs)) I am so very sorry. I remember only too well the day we got the call with a result of 4. It was the worst moment of my life. I won't go into the details here, but my whole journey is on my blog if you want to read it. (link in siggy)

As for what to ask a urologist as LaLe said PLEASE make sure that you are going to a Uro that specializes in Male Factor Infertility. If not, they can make things a lot worse.

Here is a link from my DH's Uro's website. It will give you a basic understanding of Azoo, and then the site has helpful links and can educate you some and help you understand what to ask.

https://www.southwestvasectomyreversal.com/azoospermia-no-sperm/

There is also a check-in every Wednesday (sometimes Thursday when I am really busy) that you should join. The community there is wonderful and supportive.

jessical0604 · April 2012

i just want you all to know how much your love and appreciation and advice means!! all of the wonderful suggestions i will be looking into! i am huge on educating myself so every bit of information is greatly appreciated!! my husband had to work late tonight so he has no idea yet but i am hoping the conversation goes as well as it can and we both can stay positive about it!!

purpleyes1081 · April 2012

Sorry to hear about your dh. My dh has azoospermia which means a zero count. He had hormonal n genetic testing done at the urologist n both came out normal. Then in Feb he had TESE done which is an incision on the testicle and thank god they found sperm. So it's frozen to be used on my upcoming ivf. I also read on here of ladies dh taking supplements to increase their count. Good luck wth everything

kaf7 · April 2012

We initially had diagnosis of azoospermia but now have a few after a year of injections for DH - but his issue was a hormonal one. Our Family doc called the house and spoke to DH directly so that part was taken care of. I think his heart actually broke telling me though.

There is a MFI check in that gets posted regularly on this board and there are lots of women on here with similar situations. I think the important part is to realize that 8 sperm is better than no sperm when trying to conceive biological children and that there are often things that can be done to improve counts. Good luck!

results are in...Sperm count of 8 :/

Re: results are in...Sperm count of 8 :/

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