Sneaking over from TTC boards; Has anyone got pregnant with DH using Androgel?

kristynelson13 · February 2016

Hi Ladies (& Congratulations)
Im sneaking over from the TTC boards because Ive read so many negative things on androgel & Im wondering if anyone had a successful pregnancy while DH was using it.

We have been TTC for a few months... A little background: DH has been using androgel for 2 years, my luteal phase is on the short side. I've been charting & doing OPK's. My cycle is around 24-26 days & typically my luteal phase has been around 6-9 days. I got an HSG done & that came back normal. I also did the 21 day progesterone test & it came back slightly low, my OB/gyn said she would put me on Clomid if I wanted, but she didnt seem like it was a big concern...

Wondering if we should start seeing a fertility specialist soon or wait it out ( FYI i am 34 & DH is 46)
Any thoughts /suggestions/tips would be much appreciated!

riveridgional · February 2016

I don't have any experience regarding androgel and to be honest, Im not really sure what it is. If I remember right, one of husbands of the girls I was on TTTC with was taking it, stopped it, and his counts went up by a lot. They still had MFI, but it was improved. Has your DH had a SA? If not, I would see if you OB can order one.

To answer your other questions, I would see a fertility specialist because your LP phase sounds too short based on everything I've read (no experience with that either). The 12 month rule (not sure how long you've been ttc) doesn't apply if there is an identifiable issue before that point. Also, some people have stronger opinions on this than others, but I wouldn't take clomid from your OB unless she will be monitoring you closely with pre-O ultrasounds and bloodwork. I didn't know any better and did 2 rounds unmonitored with my OB. Turns out that I don't respond any better to Clomid (I o'd on my own) and it thins my lining. So, it only hurt my chances of getting pregnant, and I wasted monetary and emotional resources doing it that way.

Most REs will put you on progesterone as a matter of course and without any "day 21" testing. Per my RE anyway, it can't hurt you and can only help. With yours being "a little low," I can't imagine an RE doing a cycle without putting you on supplements.

Best of luck to you, and I hope you get a RE referral soon!

NB817 · February 2016

Hi. I also had to look up what androgel was before responding but it seems to be testosterone? Right? Why does your DH need to take it? If you don't mind my asking?
We were MFI and saw urologist who specializes in IF and he told us under no circumstances take any testosterone because it actually kills semen and semen production. My H has no sperm except what we have frozen from 20 years ago so we were asking if testosterone could be taken to help him make sperm and that was the response.
Also I agree not to do clomid unless you're OB will be monitoring you the way it was described above. I did it 3 times before seeing RE and it was frowned upon when I told RE that.
Good luck!

Vagarcia16 · February 2016

Hi there! I also am not familiar with androgel. However, we had MFI and our urologist also advised against DH taking testosterone for the same reason mentioned above, that it actually kills sperm. I also agree with what the other ladies have said regarding Clomid. I would wouldn't take it unless it's being monitored closely.

As far as seeing a fertility specialist, it's a personal decision. For me, I'm also 34, and I'm a little disappointed that I didn't start seeing a fertility specialist sooner. I think I avoided it because I wanted to believe that everything was fine and that we'd get pregnant when it was the right time for us, etc. I was afraid of something being wrong because I never imagined myself struggling with fertility. In the end, seeing the fertility specialist (who was amazing!) helped us to find the right treatment and ultimately guided us down a path that lead to a successful pregnancy (and hopefully a healthy baby!)

I'm sure you'll make the decision that is right for you! Good Luck!

GoBucksOH · February 2016

Hey there! Jumping in here because my DH was using Androgel. He was on it for a few years and finally stopped around the age of 39. We had been TTC for about 6 months when we decided to see a specialist and low and behold after an SA we found out he had almost no sperm. The doc advised him to stop Androgel right away and that it was most likely the culprit of our IF issues. He started taking Clomid and a few other drugs to help regain the sperm count but unfortunately for him, they never bounced back to a level that would help us conceive on our own. If you have not already, I would strongly advise getting an SA and talking to your doc about that med. It is known to be a sperm killer and should not be used by anyone TTC. Best of luck.

Sneaking over from TTC boards; Has anyone got pregnant with DH using Androgel?

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