Dealing With Male Infertility

leilee101 · August 2017

This group is for those of us dealing with male factor issues. Anything from azoopsermia (zero sperm count) to oligospermia (low sperm count) and all the motility and morphology in between. Whether you are recently diagnosed and trying to make sense of it all or you have been dealing with it for years, this can be a place for everyone to share experiences, vent, ask questions etc. I personally have found IF forums more helpful than my doctors have been this far, so MFI ladies (or men! Men are welcome too!): let's come together to discuss all the issues we face such as: how to support your partner during this journey, how you are coping yourself (or not), if you are considering/using donor sperm or adoption, if you have started IUI or IVF w/ ICSI etc. etc.

Not sure if this should be a running thread or a weekly check in? Just throwing this out there and seeing what sticks Let's get started with introductions:

Diagnosis (if you have one):

How long have you been on this journey?

Where are you right now in your treatment?

What is the biggest emotional/mental hurdle you have been dealing with thus far?

JennyColada · August 2017

We currently have a pretty active IF check in weekly thread already. I'm sure that you will make some great connections there.

ETA: sorry, did realize this will be a new ongoing topic. Best wishes!

RVAmom315 · August 2017

@JennyColada We have discussed starting the MFI thread on a different thread and @LeilaK9288 had volunteered to start it

Diagnosis (if you have one): 0 morph

How long have you been on this journey? We've been trying 12 cycles (on lucky number 13 now!)

Where are you right now in your treatment? We are currently trying on our own, and doing our first medicated IUI in October

What is the biggest emotional/mental hurdle you have been dealing with thus far? It was difficult to convince DH to have another child. DS was born with a heart defect and that was emotionally draining. Finally he's on board, and now this. I was afraid if the issue was with him, he'd be even more against it. But he's been great with the SA's, taking vitamins, and agreeing to the IUI. I'm hoping that one can just power through!

lurvleybunchococonuts · August 2017

@JennyColada I believe OP has been fairly active in the weekly IF thread and is just looking to start an offshoot focusing on male IF? I dunno how many people this applies to, but if there's enough people might not be a bad idea? I lurk IF on occasion, but don't "go there" so I really don't have a voice in it imo

ETA: spelling

pebbledam · August 2017

I, too, was confused. I think it was calling this a "group" instead of "thread" that threw me off! It sucks that there are enough people struggling with MFI to start a separate thread, but I will lurk and root all the same!

leilee101 · August 2017

@JennyColada Thanks for your concern - I have been active on the IF thread for a while now and noticed that there are several individuals dealing specifically with MFI. So this is a spin-off thread/group that can focus on that specific diagnosis.
@RVAmom315 rooting for you guys trying on your own this cycle! But I'm also glad you have a plan to help things along with medicated cycle & IUI in a couple months!

Diagnosis (if you have one): Azoospermia

How long have you been on this journey? TTC for a little over a year, just recently got our diagnosis in June after all my tests came back normal and it was DH's turn..

Where are you right now in your treatment? Right now we are waiting for our mTESE surgery on 9/8! Our doctor did not give us much information on the specifics of the surgery, so for those of you who have had this done please share experiences!

What is the biggest emotional/mental hurdle you have been dealing with thus far? We are so hopeful that the mTESE will turn up some sperm that we can use for IVF with ICSI. But the anxiety between now and then is terrible, it's always on my mind and it's tough to be so completely out of control of something that is such a pivotal aspect of our lives.

[Deleted User] · August 2017

<p>Diagnosis (if you have one): Azoo</p><p>How long have you been on this journey? 27 months TTC</p><p>Where are you right now in your treatment? Just started stimming for IVF #1!!!</p><p>What is the biggest emotional/mental hurdle you have been dealing with thus far? Honestly, all the waiting and wondering.... not knowing what was going on, then once we did find out, not knowing if his retrieval would be successful, not knowing what we would do if it wasn't... all that uncertainty was agonizing. Not sure tho if really just the initial diagnosis was the toughest blow. I was already in such a state from about 16 months of TTC that just spotting and knowing AF was coming AGAIN, I would just lose it ugly crying in the bathroom. That was the worst. Then hearing our diagnosis was the worst. Then it got better... somehow now even the uncertainty of facing IVF now, and not knowing how thats going to go is so much lighter compared to all thats behind us. ;)</p><p>
</p><p>@LeilaK9288. So exciting and so close! Our doctor did MESA and TESE in the same procedure. He was only working on one side, and took two MESA samples and two TESE samples, so we have four vials. There was MUCH more in the MESA samples than the TESE, but we are still talking a few hundred vs. Less than 100 maybe? His recovery was not too bad, either, but I recommend getting him a pack of tighties in addition to the support thingie. ;)</p>

sbarluccico · August 2017

I am very happy this thread exists! MFI can be quite alienating and I am always curious to know more about how other people are dealing with it/what advice they are given/what treatments they are doing, but often find myself lost in the other threads. Also I am not a super active participant (maybe one post in the last 3 months?) but this new thread definitely makes me want to join in more! Thanks for starting, @LeilaK9288 !

@RVAmom315 If you don't mind me asking: was your first conceived naturally? Do you think the morph issue was already there, or was it something that was developed after?

Diagnosis (if you have one): low morph (btw 0-4% in 4 different SA between March and August)

How long have you been on this journey? TTC since May '16. Found out about borderline low morph (5%) in June '16, were told to try on our own as it would have been possible to conceive naturally - guess what, we didn't! Saw an RE in March, seeing a reproductive urologist next month as well.

Where are you right now in your treatment? We are under the public health system in England, so luckily we don't pay for treatment (since it would be child #1), but timings are very long. We just did our IUI #1 (+ Clomid + washed sperm). I don't think it worked (post-wash we only had about 3% morph up from 2%), also had a BFN today at 11DPIUI, so pretty sure I am out.

What is the biggest emotional/mental hurdle you have been dealing with thus far? Too many to name them. It took me about a year to convince DH to have a child (he wants a big family as I do, but wasn't ready to start in '15), and I kept telling him it might not be a quick thing, that it might take us up to a year or more. Now I can see this is sinking in for him, and that combined with the fact that the problem is on his side, makes things very difficult for him. I see him very unhappy and anxious. It breaks my heart when he tells me that having a baby is something everyone can do: whether rich or poor, smart or dumb, uneducated, etc. It breaks my heart, and at the same time, I am mega angry and thinking WHY he didn't listen to me before?!? I know fertility problems are not uncommon, but in our family/circle, people are super fertile, which makes it somewhat harder emotionally. *TW* Just this week, I found out about 4 pregnancies in our circle of friends. In his family, two babies are expected this fall, two were born last year. Two people are pregnant in my office. *END TW*

KristoKekerooni · August 2017

I've been so bad at checking in to the IF because it's so giant. Which is really quite sad. Are there really enough of us to make a whole thread? That makes me so sad.

But maybe I will be better at checking in?

Diagnosis (if you have one): MFI? oligoasthenoteratospermia AKA low on all sides. And High DNAF causing RPL

How long have you been on this journey? We started TTC in September 2014.

Where are you right now in your treatment? Debating whether we try another IUI or just wait it out till IVF. H had a "hail mary" surgery in May, to embolize the subclinical varicoceles. They were subclinical, so they really probably didn't impact us at all, but insurance covered it, so whatever.

What is the biggest emotional/mental hurdle you have been dealing with thus far? Oh man... I think for me it's the lack of control. No amount of me taking vitamins, exercising, eating right and doing all the crazy TTC stuff we do can or will impact us. That's a really hard pill to swallow. I'm such a control freak and very much a "if you want something, make it happen" kind of person, while H is more of a "it'll happen, just chill" kind of person. It's been really difficult for me to not micromanage everything he does

Redpuma119 · August 2017

I keep typing this response and then deleting it because the words don't read the same as they "feel" in my mind. All of us dealing with IF have so much going on, and this is such a tough pill to swallow. As women, especially IF women, we want to be planners, and be in control. And this situation takes it out of our hands. IF is already something that isn't talked about a lot, let alone MFI. So I can't even pretend to imagine what your H's are dealing with. Thinking of you ladies and crossing everything for you!

RVAmom315 · August 2017

@sbarluccico I am sorry about the BFN. Yes, DS was conceived naturally, 5 years ago. We had an SA done two months prior (through my OBGYN at the time) and it was normal. We didn't get the exact numbers, the nurse just called and said it looked good (looking back now I wished I'd gotten the numbers) and we conceived next cycle.

When we went to see our RE last month for our initial consult (different doctor, different state from above) he theorized that DH's morph was low then too, but still "normal" like maybe on the cusp, 4-5%, but we'll never know for sure.

I have DH on some vitamins so I'm hoping it'll help. Our RE recommended IVF w ICSI, but I'd like to exhaust other options first. And I've read and heard from many sources that if count and motility are good, morph isn't as crucial. We shall see.

GL to you! We are in very similar boats

zwink1 · August 2017

I think it's nice to have a gathering place for all of us. I mentioned this way back in April in the NIAW thread, but I feel like MFI is no better or worse than FFI, it's just a little different and comes with its own unique challenges. However, I agree with @KristoKekerooni, it's really sad that there are enough of us for a separate thread.

@sbarluccico, I'm sorry for the BFN.

Strength and support to all of you.

Diagnosis (if you have one): OAT -low on all fronts.

How long have you been on this journey? We started TTC in March 2015.

Where are you right now in your treatment? Right now we're in the midst of deciding which direction we want to go. H has been checked out, and the only thing they can find is a tiny, subclinical varicocele on one side. My, totally non-medically trained, research indicates that general consensus is NOT to do a varicocelectomy in this situation as the odds are slim that it will boost any/all of his numbers enough to be worthwhile. We also have complications on my end, and we're not sure how big of a role those are playing yet either, so there's always the chance that we have the surgery, it's successful and boosts his numbers, but then we have to do IUI/IVF anyway to combat my problems. It's like standing in the middle of a field of fog and trying to pick the right way to turn.

Anyway, H's RU did a new SA at his surgery consult last week, so we'll see what those numbers look like. The RU is suggesting surgery, but has said that it could "potentially" increase our odds of pregnancy by "up to" 15%... which sounds not so great to me.

What is the biggest emotional/mental hurdle you have been dealing with thus far? Oh gosh. This is a tough one for me to answer. I think for me personally, it's probably the yo-yoing emotions. I feel like I'm constantly sliding up and down. One day I'll feel like I'll be okay if we never have children, and the next I feel like it might break me. One day I want to rush into my RE's office that day and tell her to get the IVF train rolling, but the next I'm like "but, what if we could do it on our own..." The constant doubt over what decision to make is very mentally grating.

Then, there's watching my H deal with it and all of the mental/emotional baggage that comes with MFI. The guilt. The feelings of inadequacy. He rarely talks to me about it, which on the one hand I get, but on the other makes this a very lonely journey for the both of us in some ways. That said, I am glad that I have a partner through this, I believe that we'll be stronger for it, and I'm glad that I have the partner that I do.

50Wife · August 2017

I'll join in here too

Diagnosis (if you have one): low count

How long have you been on this journey? We started TTC last July-we just started cycle 16 I believe. Full disclosure: we so have a 2.5 year old he took us a year to conceive (we didn't know of any issues, just assumed we were that couple that took a full year).

Where are you right now in your treatment? CD3 of IUI cycle number 2. My husband is also doing everything in his power to increase his count. He's been eating better, cutting back on drinking (not that he was a big drinker but he likes his occasional glass of scotch after dealing with the filth of our city some days), and taking vitamins.

What is the biggest emotional/mental hurdle you have been dealing with thus far? I'll agree with no control. I am so type A it is insane and this has nothing to do with me. All I can do is sit back and let the pros do their job and hope one of my husbands swimmers can do their job.

The physical side of things too...I'm getting stabbed for bloodwork 2-3 times a week as well as ultrasounds and it just gets old. My arms are constantly bruised to the point where coworkers who don't know have commented just saying oh you poor thing look at your arms.

And no one IRL get this which is hard too. I love my family and friends to death but they don't get it and hopefully will never get it. They try. My poor mom pulled the "it just wasn't meant to be yet" last week with me and I flipped. I cursed and cried and told her not to give me that bullshit anymore bc is it the crackhead's time to have her 4th but not our time??? I felt horrible afterwards but it's just stressful and leaves you on edge

Well that got long...

safire3 · August 2017

Thanks for starting this @LeilaK9288. Sorry I'm late the the party. Monday's always suck for me.

Diagnosis (if you have one): oligospermia. We've had counts from 0 to 9 mil, although the 9 mil seems like a one-off fluke now. Our first SA was 0 count and we were told we would need TESE so we are happy and grateful for the little that has been in subsequent samples. Morph has also been poor but from what I understand you can't get a good idea of morph with very low counts.

How long have you been on this journey? Since January 2016. Haven't counted cycles for a while now

Where are you right now in your treatment? Probably starting stims tomorrow for IVF with ICSI

What is the biggest emotional/mental hurdle you have been dealing with thus far? Ugh so many.

1- Right now I'm having a hard time dealing with how much my body needs to go through despite the fact that our main problem is with DH.....and then I feel super guilty for thinking that. I almost wish the problems were all with me then this would make so much more sense to me and wouldn't take such a toll on him emotionally.

2- I have a chronic illness and I was always prepared mentally for a possible tough pregnancy. It never once occurred to me that getting pregnant would be such a difficult journey (assuming we ever do get KU of course).

3- The uncertainty of it all and lack of control as others have mentioned. The fact that all of this may be for nothing and how devastating that would be for us both.

@sbarluccico hugs to you. For all of us IFs it is so hard to see everyone else get pregnant so easily without stress or worry or draining their bank accounts.

@zwink1 this has been such a long journey for you. I hope you guys some good results from the new SA and can make a plan soon. For us we were told there is a small chance that DH has an obstruction on one side that could be fixed with exploratory surgery and (long shot) allow us to conceive naturally in the future. However with my AMH falling precipitously and my age we decided to go ahead and start IVF now and maybe pursue the surgery after we have a first child.

@50Wife I want to pull out all my hair when someone says 'maybe it's just not meant to be' or 'maybe it's just not your time yet'. Somehow it was meant to be and the right time for people who abuse and abandon their children but not for us who want a child to love more than anything.

50Wife · August 2017

@safire3 I have to say that I've been guilty of the "why am I the one who has to make multiple RE trips weekly, and get blood drawn to the point where I'm this bruised, and do the ultrasounds, and shots, and just the uncomfortable-ness of the procedures and testings I've done when it's not even my issue" I feel so guilty when I think that but on my low days, it's just such an easy thought. For a second it's nice to almost have someone to blame.
But then I snap myself out of it and I realize OK - it's not MY issue, it's OUR issue. If it were technically me with the issue, he'd be the same way and I know he wouldn't blame me. Honestly, I don't even think he feels guilty and I'm glad he doesn't...he's just doing what he can do to make it better and give us the best chance (although some days I want to punch him in the face and just be like helloooooooo can you at least act like you care that there's an issue here

??!)

safire3 · August 2017

50Wife said:

@safire3 I have to say that I've been guilty of the "why am I the one who has to make multiple RE trips weekly, and get blood drawn to the point where I'm this bruised, and do the ultrasounds, and shots, and just the uncomfortable-ness of the procedures and testings I've done when it's not even my issue" I feel so guilty when I think that but on my low days, it's just such an easy thought. For a second it's nice to almost have someone to blame.
But then I snap myself out of it and I realize OK - it's not MY issue, it's OUR issue. If it were technically me with the issue, he'd be the same way and I know he wouldn't blame me. Honestly, I don't even think he feels guilty and I'm glad he doesn't...he's just doing what he can do to make it better and give us the best chance (although some days I want to punch him in the face and just be like helloooooooo can you at least act like you care that there's an issue here ??!)

All of this! You are so right, even down to the punching in the face

Glad to know I'm not the only one who falls into that rabbit hole sometimes though.

millpe · August 2017

Hey everyone! Looks like I may be joining this thread

Diagnosis (if you have one): I know very little right now except I just got a text from DH "it's my fault we are not getting pregnant." Followed by a call from my nurse that his count came back "very low". She said it was 3 million which doesn't seem THAT low to me, but maybe I'm naive? I don't have any other numbers yet.

How long have you been on this journey? MFI journey - approximately 1 hr... currently in cycle 9 of TTC (Dec 2916, but avoided Jan 2017).

Where are you right now in your treatment? Testing - looks like next steps are to do another SA. DH has knee surgery in a couple weeks so we will wait until he's off pain meds to repeat. He also has a referral to a specialist (urologist?) and my nurse is scheduling that appointment for the end of September, after the repeat SA. I will still move forward with HSG on Friday, but my results so far have been "normal" (haven't seen any numbers for me either). My Dr wanted to plan to move to medicated IUI next cycle but we will wait until after we get some answers on DH.

What is the biggest emotional/mental hurdle you have been dealing with thus far?

Um? I don't think I've processed yet. I guess right now I want to be the positive one and make sure I'm supportive of DH. I think I was more prepared for it to be a problem with me. I think he's in denial and already said "I should do it in the afternoon next time because I feel like less comes out in the morning. I barely filled the bottom of the cup." I'm sill hoping the repeat will come back normal, but I also want to prepare myself if it doesn't.

KristoKekerooni · August 2017

@MrsMiller8588 - Sorry you find yourself here. Was that 3 mill total count or count per mL? It does make a difference. Either way though, yeah it's low. We just don't know HOW low till you know exacts. SAs vary quite a lot. in the meantime, follow all the rules to see if you can't get his count up a bit higher. The higher you can push it, the better your chances of at least an IUI being an option. Did they give you info on what he needs to do? Things like boxers not briefs, not hot tubs/baths, phones and laptops away from groin, no extended biking, etc.

50Wife · August 2017

@MrsMiller8588 I'm sorry to see you here.
My input...
I'd say the quantity sounds about right! I know that was my husband's experience (as well as many others on here). It looks like such a little amount in that cup!
As far as his numbers, our RE said he likes to see numbers in the 40 million range and I think that can vary based on doctor to be honest. My husband was (if I remember correctly) at 26MM and our RE said our best bet is IUI because his numbers were on the pretty low side of normal. He said with his count, that we could get pregnant on our own (obviously) but that it would take us much longer.
I'm really not trying to burst any bubble of hope right now - just letting you know what our doc has told us. Do you have an appt to go and meet with the RE or are you just waiting for the repeat before you sit down and chat through everything? Fingers crossed the repeat looks better!

Oh and just some more information - if he wants to attempt vitamins or anything to make his numbers look better, our RE said it takes 76 days for any new sperm to fully see the benefits of those changes. So basically if he does want to make some changes - start making them ASAP so you'll see better sperm ASAP.

millpe · August 2017

@50Wife Thank you for the perspective!

At this point I'm only seeing an OBGYN since the closest RE is 200 miles away and I had not reached the 12 month mark. I have seen a lot of people caution about seeing an OB, but I did make sure she does all of the testing before treatment and also does ultrasound monitoring during treatment so I feel good about her capabilities. I will see her at my HSG on Friday so I will have the opportunity to ask some preliminary questions.

I think we will wait until we know more from the repeat SA and his appointment with the urologist before we sit down and discuss treatments (such a step IUI) with the OB. I think it will depend on the recommendation we get from the urologist.

Does anyone have recommendations for supplements and lifestyle changes?

DH is taking a multivitamin and CoQ10 and recently (with the last month) quit chewing. I have asked him to stop taking baths (he strangely LOVES baths), but that one has yet to stick. We also hot tub every couple weeks. I will make a case to stop both of those. Anything else I should be recommending?

millpe · August 2017

@KristoKekerooni I *think* she said total count. She said they like to see it above 20 million in their office. Since she's an OB she did say they don't do anything with MFI so that is why they are referring to the urologist.

KristoKekerooni · August 2017

@MrsMiller8588 Hmmm... generally they like to see concentration (also known as per mL, density, etc) at above 20 mill and total count above 40 mill.

typically they refer to urologist to see what can be the problem. Is one side blocked? Or does he have varicoceles? or an undecended testicle? That sort of thing is what they will check for... mostly varicoceles since that's pretty common. They also should check his hormone levels.. does he have low T, too high of estrogen? That'll just be an easy blood draw.

The OB or urologist will want a recheck in a few months though. Give it minimum three months and start lifestyle changes ASAP to give it time to work

millpe · August 2017

@KristoKekerooni It may have been concentration. I was just a little overwhelmed at the moment. I'm hoping the results get added to our patient portals, but either way I will make sure I ask on Friday.

We are doing a recheck prior to the first appointment with the urologist so sometime in the middle - end of September. The nurse said the urologist would like to see at least 2 prior to the first appointment. Do you think there will be a third recheck after the 3 months?

I feel like I have so much to learn right now!

50Wife · August 2017

@MrsMiller8588 has me thinking. What do all of your husband's take as far as vitamins?
Are you guys taking anything extra? Like to make yourself as ready as possible for the little swimmer who could?

BertieMeetsGertie · August 2017

Diagnosis (if you have one): 2% morph and progressive motility slightly low

How long have you been on this journey? Like my gal pal @50Wife, we are on cycle 16, month rollover to 15 tomorrow...

Where are you right now in your treatment? DH has a repeat SA on September 1st that will confirm there is a morph issue or throw another curveball our way. All of my tests have been great, but my estradiol was on the very low end of normal on CD3 b/w. My gyn said we could try birth control pills to increase it but I'm not going on those when we are actively TTC! We won't get a referral to RE until the repeat SA comes back, so I'm not really sure what they would recommend as a treatment plan. DH started taking fertileaid so I'm hoping that wil boost his motility if not help morph.?

What is the biggest emotional/mental hurdle you have been dealing with thus far? I think @zwink1 summed up my feelings perfectly. One minute I think his morph won't be an issue and that we should try IUI. The next minute I'm thinking, fuck it let's just do IVF with ICSI. So basically, I'm all over the place! Then you start to think about child 2 before you even have child 1 on the way. If it's this hard to have #1, maybe it makes sense to do IVF and hope for several good embies?? See, things are changing even I'm writing this! While we don't have coverage for IVF, at least we are fortunate enough to live in an area where there are several clinics.

RVAmom315 · August 2017

@BertieMeetsGertie Are we the same person?! I'm the same way, going from, we'll do it on our own to the IUI will work to f it let's do the IVF w ICSI to why even bother?

@50Wife and @MrsMiller8588 DH takes a multi vitamin, CoQ10 (100mg), FertilAid (2 capsules a day), L-Carnitine (400mg) and Alpha Lipoic Acid (200mg). I'm taking FerilityBlend because, eh why not?

@MrsMiller8588 I'm sorry you find yourself here - hopefully you'll get more information soon

BertieMeetsGertie · August 2017

@RVAmom315 twinsies!! Yeah I really vacillate between getting KU on our own and doing IVF like every hour.

@MrsMiller8588 sorry to see you here. I would highly suggest your H not go into hot tubs or take hot baths. I know it's tough, but it could definitely be contributing to his low count.

leilee101 · August 2017

@BusinessWife my eyes literally well up everytime I see you post another update. I am so, so happy for you guys to begin IVF! I think our dr. is doing mTESE only.. I asked him about other procedures and he seemed confident about this being the right approach. Trusting a complete stranger with all this is almost as hard as the waiting waiting waiting... but I agree that all that uncertainty is like pure torture. I wouldn't wish this diagnosis on anyone!

@sbarluccico I felt the same way about other threads. So many women struggling with fertility issues, but I agree that MFI is a very isolating world. I do not talk to anyone IRL about it because it's not ME that's having the issue, but of course it is such a big part of my life right now. I hear you about it seeming like everyone else just gets pg so easily. It's very unfair, certainly has me questioning alot.

@zwink1 watching DH deal with the feelings of inadequacy is the main reason I thought we needed a separate thread. It breaks my heart to know that he feels he has let me down. When he does talk about it (those few and far between moments), I make sure to let him know that we are going through everything together, as a team. He also has a therapist so I think that is a great source of emotional support for him as well.

@50Wife I work in public service and every day am dealing with drug addicts and people who have no business having children, having children. It breaks my heart. So, so feel you on that aspect.

@MrsMiller8588 so sorry you find yourself here, hopefully your stay is short! 3 million is certainly low as far as a "normal" sperm count goes, but it's still 3 million!! So even though it sucks to hear that there is an "issue" and your journey might be longer and not quite what you imagined, there are so many treatment options available and you guys will ge@BusinessWife

@BertieMeetsGertie when do you get repeat SA results back? Fingers crossed!!

KristoKekerooni · August 2017

@MrsMiller8588 - No worries on know exactly. You have time. I'm not really surprised they want another recheck. Like I said, they can vary time to time, ESPECIALLY since this was his first time. Lots of guys get stage fright and don't have their "normal" ejaculate, or they miss, or whatever. Odds are low, so don't get too excited about that prospect... but it's not atypical for them to order another so soon, just in case

BertieMeetsGertie · August 2017

@LeilaK9288 repeat SA isn't for a couple of weeks, so probably won't get the results until second week of September.

safire3 · August 2017

@MrsMiller8588 so sorry you find yourself here. Definitely hoping that the repeat SA is better. It is not unusual for them to want another one soon after to confirm. We had 0 sperm on our first SA and 9mil on the second one about 1 week later. That is still low but makes a big difference in treatment options. At out clinic normal total count is >34 mil. I would definitely advise no more baths or hot tubs for now for your H. Just support him as best as you can through this. I have found that it's better to allow my DH his period of denial and just be as supportive and patient as I can be.

@50Wife Our RU recommended theralogix supplemens. They are kind of expensive but apparently the only ones who do any sort of research to show improvement with their supplements (at least that's my understanding). I also put DH on CoQ10 and he is on clomid right now which we plan to stop after he gives his sample on retrieval day.

[Deleted User] · August 2017

Mine was taking a multi, CoQ10 / ubiquinol (2 capsules), vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, Maca, (and for a time, fenugreek), plus flax and omega 369, and then Clomid too. But Ive scaled him back since the TESE quite a bit! Lol he was over it. I found this website really helpful, especially the dosages about vitamin E - whether its naturally or synthetically derived - and for us we did everything here short of the acytyl carnitine stuff.

https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2012/12/reversing-male-infertility/page-01

<img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/zk/gem22zni5kjn.jpg" alt="">

BertieMeetsGertie · August 2017

@BusinessWife stupid question. Is structure the same thing as morph?

[Deleted User] · August 2017

@BertieMeetsGertie. Ah, never noticed that! It must be.

50Wife · August 2017

@BusinessWife that's super helpful! I'm sending that to the hubs. Thanks!!

zwink1 · August 2017

@MrsMiller8588, I'm sorry you find yourself here. That first phone call is always a tough pill to swallow. I agree with the advice you've been given. MH is currently taking a men's multi, vit C, omega 3, and CoQ10. He just had his 4th SA in about 10 months, so yeah...they do a lot of them after they identify a problem. If you're thinking of additional lifestyle changes beyond underwear/hot tubs/smoking/etc., incorporating more antioxidant rich foods into his diet is said to help sperm quality.

@50Wife, I'm taking most of the same vitamins as H (swapping the multi for a prenatal) on the off chance that we somehow manage to have one little guy power through, lol. That's about it though. I've thought of incorporating more stuff but I just don't have the energy right now.

JuneRoseRuby · August 2017

Diagnosis (if you have one): virtual azoo, robertsonian translocation

How long have you been on this journey? Jan 2016

Where are you right now in your treatment? IVF with donor back up - stims started last night

What is the biggest emotional/mental hurdle you have been dealing with thus far? Getting the results of MH second SA. He went from 3 sperm to 47 and he was thrilled and I was like oh okay, we I'm never getting pregnant and we will need to adopt. After that we had our IVF consult and the RE strongly urged donor back up and had MH repeat SA and he was back down to 4 so MH immediately became okay with donor back up and we started the IVF process right away.

leilee101 · August 2017

@BusinessWife omg thank you for that website! MH isn't taking anything besides his daily multivitamins -- both because we have no idea what to even get that might help and we also only have a few weeks before the surgery so I didn't think that was enough time to make any difference. But I'm gonna go grab a bunch of vitamins today because it couldn't hurt?? I've also been feeding him salmon, walnuts, spinach and dark chocolate like every night lmao, thanks google (Spinach and Walnut pesto is actually surprisingly bomb.com, and better for you than basil & pine nuts)

@JuneRoseRuby Good luck this cycle!! You @safire3 @BusinessWife are right on pace together! Best of luck to all of you

Unknown · August 2017

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safire3 · August 2017

@aliceduke welcome and sorry you find yourself here. There are some ladies here dealing with azoospermia as well. My DH does not have azoospermia but he had 0 sperm count on his initial sample and so he had a work-up for it. You should be seeing an RE (reproductive endocrinologist) and your husband should be seeing a RU (reproductive urologist). Usually the urologist will try to find a cause for the low or no sperm count. Depending on the cause then they can try treatment for it or try to get sperm directly from the testicle or the tubes around it. The doctor can then use this sperm for IVF. If your H truly has azoospermia this may be your only avenue to have his biological child. Of course there is also the option of sperm donation which is a difficult and personal decision that you can discuss with your H.
I'm on mobile so I can't check but I encourage you to introduce yourself in the newbie thread if you haven't already and read the pinned thread for newbies at the top of the main page. Hope this helps and good luck to you.

[Deleted User] · August 2017

<blockquote class="Quote">
<div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/aliceduke">aliceduke</a> said:</div>
<div class="QuoteText">A big HELLO to everyone, hope every one is doing great? :) Since, I'm new to the forum, I'm trying my level best to get familiar with the posts and all stuff, you know!! I'm hoping to gather as much useful information as I can. Well, Yes!! I want to know about what should one do if her DH suffers from azoopsermia? It was last year, when my hubby got diagnosed with low sperm count. We took it normal and thought it would get fine with time. We thought his bad smoking habits are causing all these problems. Well, on the next visit to our HV, the count got even lower. This panicked us because we were taking it very light before, you know. We went to our HV and he recommended us of the specialist in town. Well, we didn't do any further delay and followed his prescribed medication (Follitropin alfa subcutaneous) and the treatment he asked us to follow. Well, we thought it would get better but the medication didn't work. He then asked to undergo Hormonal replacement therapy too but results didn't seem getting positive. My OH is now declared infertile and we can't enjoy parenthood ever!! Can anyone suggest me what can be done to make things better? TYSM in advance. I'll BRB..</div>
</blockquote>

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