[karystos]

Just had consultation with RE after 3rd failed IVF. I had a chem preg with this one. My eggs are "perfect". But my DHs sperm is poor quality.
3% morphology
Since last year his sperm has gone from 10% to 3%. His counts and everything else have plummeted. The RE said that for this IVF the embryologist had to treat it as a biopsy case because they had trouble finding any good quality sperm for my 11 eggs. I did get 100% fertilization though which I would think wouldn't happen if his quality was so poor.

The Re told us to stop taking the fertility vitamins and to make "lifestyle" changes.

Does anyone have any ideas/experiences that could help? I'm 39. My RE wants us to wait 3 months for another SA test.

I feel there is no hope to having a biological child with my DH>

[Tree]

Hi karystos. What does he mean "lifestyle changes"? And why would you stop taking the fertility vitamins? May I ask what they are?

I do not have experience in this but I would suggest DH take some things for his sperm like OKG (the body turns it into arginine which is a better way to go since regular supplemental arginine is not very well absorbed). Almonds (make sure they are raw and not roasted and salted) are good for sperm as well.

Don't give up hope. There are things you can do to improve his sperm. And hey, you got 100% fert rate as it is! Good luck.

[desperate]

Well, it sounds like your RE is giving up on you. That's kind of the position I'm in right now too. My RE basically told us after 2 failed IVF's that she wasn't sure what else to recommend. I was devasted. I make lots of eggs, and for some reason our embryos aren't good quality.

I've taken our cases into my own hands. Researched top clinics and set up appointments to get second oppinions and find out what/if anything else can be done, before we just accept it, and throw in the towel.

If MF is the problem (and it is in our case too) I'm considering having an SCSA test on DH just to confirm that it is actually the sperm that is our problem. there has been debate due to varying SA tests. www.scsadiagnostics.com

there is also a process called IMSI, and PICSI that in combination with ICSI -- is used to select and sort sperm at a much higher level than most labs use. I researched them, but didn't have many luck with labs in the US using this technique yet, although there are a few I think.

Others have told me better labs, yeild better results. There is always a different protocol, testing, etc.

I wouldn't give up and just listen to your RE. I would keep taking prenatal vitamins and get yourself some consultations set up asap. After all you've been through, you owe it to yourself to know for sure before just giving up.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!! And don't lose hope before you have to. I've been happy with my consults so far and found them very encouraging and enlightening.

[desperate]

My DH takes fertility vitamins (FERTILAID) that you can buy on-line. He eats nuts, takes royal jelly, eats whole organic diet with lots of protein and folic acid (apparently good for men as well) and antioxidants, and gets acupuncture to help with sperm samples. He also had a varicoceletomy. And actually, something has worked because orginally our RE told us that MF was definetly our issue and lately they are saying his samples look better and aren't so sure. now we are unexplained.

[desperate]

Plus, you can do ICIS and also use the TESE method of extracting the sperm directly from the testicle. Have you done this yet? some say it yeilds better results. We are going to ask about this.

[karystos]

He was taking Theralogix Fertility for Men and originally it helped ...the numbers went up but never to "normal". RE thinks because it's not FDA approved...there might be something in there making it worse. ....I don't believe it but we'll try it just to rule it out. Of course we have to wait 3 months for a new batch to test.

I also made an appt with Dr Schlegel at Cornell for a consultation...to see what he thinks....

I had to accept alot of things about my DH when I married him...and I have had a happy marriage....but I never thought I had to accept another thing. I want a baby so badly..my father is sick and needs to see a grandchild.

[elaine123]

I would switch RE's. My DH also has 3% strict morphology and my RE said that when you do IVF w/ ICSI, the male factor is completely taken out of the equation. So you end up with just as good a chance as a couple with no male factor issues. I would try IVF w/ ICSI with a new RE.

[karystos]

Originally Posted by elaine123

I would switch RE's. My DH also has 3% strict morphology and my RE said that when you do IVF w/ ICSI, the male factor is completely taken out of the equation. So you end up with just as good a chance as a couple with no male factor issues. I would try IVF w/ ICSI with a new RE.

But my embryos never make it to 8 cells on day 3 because of the sperm quality. So yes, ICSI fixes the fertilization maybe but not the embryo growth. And low morphology causes frequent miscarriages...I've had 2. So you see even with ICSI, it still is a big problem.

[Butterfly]

Just wanted to suggest The Infertility Cure by Dr Randine Lewis. There are dietary changes that a man can do in order to help his issue as well as vitamins that ARE FDA approved. I believe she suggests taking pycnogenol for morph issues.

((((hugs))))

All the very best to you.