Hi angelfish, thanks for your reply. He has been referred to a urologist although we havent seen him yet. Not sure about the endocrinologist but he had a blood test which came back normal.
Dr Q - Low count?
June 30, 2008
Hi Dr Q,
I have had further tests which show I am ovulating so it seems we are now looking at our infertility as solely a male factor. My partner has undertaken 2 SA's which his doctor said showed low counts although never specified numbers. He has since changed his doctors and they have given him figures. It appears his numbers are 0.1 which his doctor said is very low but shows sperm so my partner is therefore producing it. He also said that it has good morphology (not sure if thats the right word but good movement) so has said it is still possible to conceive naturally although not likely. The doctor was quick to talk about donor sperm and IVF but I spoke to him about seeing if theres a possible blockage which could be restricting how much is ejaculated which he has now refeered him for tests for. What would you have done if you were the family doctor in this case? Would you go straight to IVF or would you carry out more tests? It is unknown if my partner had mumps as a child but he did have chlamydia from an ex partner - could this be a problem? We can not ask his parents about mumps as we have not told anyone we are trying
I have had further tests which show I am ovulating so it seems we are now looking at our infertility as solely a male factor. My partner has undertaken 2 SA's which his doctor said showed low counts although never specified numbers. He has since changed his doctors and they have given him figures. It appears his numbers are 0.1 which his doctor said is very low but shows sperm so my partner is therefore producing it. He also said that it has good morphology (not sure if thats the right word but good movement) so has said it is still possible to conceive naturally although not likely. The doctor was quick to talk about donor sperm and IVF but I spoke to him about seeing if theres a possible blockage which could be restricting how much is ejaculated which he has now refeered him for tests for. What would you have done if you were the family doctor in this case? Would you go straight to IVF or would you carry out more tests? It is unknown if my partner had mumps as a child but he did have chlamydia from an ex partner - could this be a problem? We can not ask his parents about mumps as we have not told anyone we are trying
we already know there is not much hope of conceiving naturally with those numbers even though the doctor did say its still possible but what I want to know is: my partner is obviously ejaculating sperm to have any numbers, so why is my doctor talking about donor sperm IVF when the motility of my partners is good?
CJ,
The first thing I would get him to a Urologist and Endocrinologist (Hormone Specialist) that specialist in male infertility get his issues sorted. Plus to find out what is happening just for his general health.
If the major concern is baby and not his health IVF+ICIS, however; you might be looking at donor sperm...because his sperm might be an issue and only the RE can tell you if the sperm can be used...I'm sorry but I'm being very honest.
Just to let you know we are dealing with something like this ourselves and what we decided to do is take a ttc break and get his issue sorted and with research and talking and begging we found two great dr's that are helping us. We had a dr's appt on Friday and we have great news and they are going to help us and we are hoping everything will work out in the next couple of weeks...surgery and further testing. I think in our best interest insteed of thinking of baby and looking at his health that it will work out and we have both.
The first thing I would get him to a Urologist and Endocrinologist (Hormone Specialist) that specialist in male infertility get his issues sorted. Plus to find out what is happening just for his general health.
If the major concern is baby and not his health IVF+ICIS, however; you might be looking at donor sperm...because his sperm might be an issue and only the RE can tell you if the sperm can be used...I'm sorry but I'm being very honest.
Just to let you know we are dealing with something like this ourselves and what we decided to do is take a ttc break and get his issue sorted and with research and talking and begging we found two great dr's that are helping us. We had a dr's appt on Friday and we have great news and they are going to help us and we are hoping everything will work out in the next couple of weeks...surgery and further testing. I think in our best interest insteed of thinking of baby and looking at his health that it will work out and we have both.
We have looked at it as: if it happens it happens but it seems whereever we go we bang our heads against brick walls. Neither doctor (his previous and his new one) where going to send him for further tests to check hormone etc until we mentioned it to them which only came about when we were told by his previous doctor that he had azoospermia so we researched it. Apparantly there is nothing wrong with his testicles or his prostate (as felt by the doctor) although no ultrasound/tests have been used to clarify the situation. So far, all thats happened is a blood test, and the feeling of the testicles and prostate. Until we get a uroloist appointment, we know test wise there is nothing else we can ask for until we know the true problem.
Well let me tell you by experience move to private.
Yes we have an issue with an right undescended testicle and that is causing his sperm count to be low and his fsh and prolactin levels to be high. They are tested his other hormones and they are normal. They have agreed with us and we will be lowering it down very soon. We are hoping with it being lower it will improve sperm count and lower his fsh and prolactin and also improve his general health...that's the most important thing to me.
We will never deal with NHS again very simple.
Yes we have an issue with an right undescended testicle and that is causing his sperm count to be low and his fsh and prolactin levels to be high. They are tested his other hormones and they are normal. They have agreed with us and we will be lowering it down very soon. We are hoping with it being lower it will improve sperm count and lower his fsh and prolactin and also improve his general health...that's the most important thing to me.
We will never deal with NHS again very simple.
CJ even if the motility is good, 99% of the sperms die in the vagina due to the acidity. So, if there are 10 M + sperm, Drs say you have a chance at natural conception. With 100,000 I think what Angel says is accurate. Even though ppl say it takes just 1 sperm, one has to be extremely lucky. I hope your dream of having a baby comes true soon. Arm yourself with as much as information as some professionals really dont know what they are talking abt. GOod luck and ***Baby Dust**
June 30, 2008