New and a sperm question

MamaDi42 · October 2014

Hello all! I'm new to this board. DH and I have been trying to conceive little one #2 since august 2013. We have an amazing 2 year son :-) we started working with an RE this August and after both of our tests came out normal we were diagnosed with unknown infertility:-( SO today I had IUI (with clomid and trigger) number 2 (had my first last month obviously didn't work). My question is, my husband's sperm count was unusually low today. Only 2 million. For our first IUI he was at 6 million. He normally does not have a low count. The nurse said it was probably just an off day but still worth doing the IUI. every thing I read on line pretty much says if it's under 5 million it probably ain't gonna happen. Has anyone had an actually medical professional say differently? I'm trying to stay optimistic and since the nurse said I haven't quite ovulated yet they will do another IUI tomorrow. Just hope the eggie lasts long enough for it:-(

pettycrocker · October 2014

@steph1673

Steph1673 · October 2014

What was your DH's count when he was tested in his SA, outside of the IUI's?

My RE like to see 10 million+ for an IUI. My DH's count was around 35 million total count when he got an SA and his washed IUI's were always between 16 mil to 35 mil, so pretty normal. BUT then our last IUI we DTD about 8 hours before our IUI (oops) and his count plummeted when taken for the IUI and was only like 1.5 mil post wash. We skipped the IUI due to the low number.

When was the last time you DTD before IUI? Our RE asks us not to have sex for 24 hours before to let the count get up. Could that have been a reason for the drop?

That being said, my theory is that all of my DH's swimmers must have been used up during our timed intercourse the night before our cancelled IUI because I currently have a positive hpt.

MamaDi42 · October 2014

Thanks for the info! And congrats on the positive HPT!!:-) They didn't tell me what his numbers were for his initial SA, just that everything was "normal" we DTD Sunday (the night I was told to do the trigger shot) which my RE said was fine so probably about 36 hours before my IUI. It's interesting, with my RE, 5 million is considered the minimum for "normal" but the nurse who did it said it was def worth doing with 2 mil. Maybe she was just trying to make me feel better:-/ I have another one scheduled for tomorrow morning because it looks like from my sono this morning I didn't ovulate yet but the nurse thought probably later today. Fingers crossed the egg is still around tomorrow and DH has a better count!!

sailorgal · October 2014

Just remember, it only takes 1!

My hubby's SA count was something like 65 million but our IUI counts have been low each time. I can't recall the pre-wash numbers but no where near the SA ones. Post-wash, there have been counts of 9, 2 and 1.2. We've had particularly stressful situations surrounding the collections at the clinic with the last two in particular (long story) but I've suspected lower counts due to performance anxiety...maybe the case for your hubby? Maybe not but just throwing it out there.

My clinic likes to see counts over 10 mil too and at least 5 but because we don't have to pay for the IUI itself (only the washing which is done by then), we always go ahead regardless.

MamaDi42 · October 2014

Thanks:-) yeah anxiety could be an issue in his case, it was also pretty early in the morning and he hadn't had anything to eat or drink, I don't know if that makes a difference . Unfortunately this is the last IUI insurance will cover so after this it's back to trying naturally or I guess I can work with my obgyn with clomid and some monitoring but until we can get different insurance, that's it:-( I'm really hoping my egg lives long enough to get another shot tomorrow!

jen4ny · October 2014

My RE likes to see the post-wash count above 5 million. DH is usually around 8-10 million post-wash. One day he did have a 5 million and that lower count day was a day he felt rushed because the lab tech got to the office late and he had to wait. Good luck!

Steph1673 · October 2014

Either way, if you paid for a SA you should have your numbers in hand, not just an answer of "good". Good is relative and I'd want to know if there is just a performance anxiety issue at IUI time, or a true total count issue. (And total count takes into play motility, morph, etc. - at least mine did).

FWIW, it was our choice to cancel the IUI. They like to see 10+, but they will let you move forward as low as you like but really she said with a count that low IUI was no better than timed intercourse so we saved the $350. It really does just take one. Our nurse said she's seen a successful IUI at 750,000 but that over 10+mil gives you the best chances.

FX!

MamaDi42 · October 2014

Thanks! I'm trying to stay hopeful. Yesterday before wash he was at 8 mil but only 2 after wash. At The office I did my 2nd IUI today they don't have the ability to give the numbers, she said they can tell if it's a good sample or not through the microscope. She said before the wash it was looking good but after, it looked low again:-( I wasn't expecting too much considering it was low yesterday. Well I'm hoping one of them can find the egg!

lilmac2929 · October 2014

Welcome!! My RE said she had a successful IUI just last week with 1 million! I wish you the best of luck!!

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