[Sunflower]

Hello,
This is my first post here.
I've been trying to figure out my problem for the past 3-4 months. I'm still puzzled and need some help and insight from other people who experienced something similar.

Well, I have a very low sperm count - like 170.000 sperms in 1 milliliter or about 1 million in a complete ejaculate. All other semen analysis are ok!

I live a healthy life and I have visited several urologists and one endocrinologist.
My testicles have normal morphology, I don't have any varicocele, hydrocele, inflammation or other abnormalities. They also performed ultrasound exam - everything ok.

I tested FSH, LH, prolactin and testosterone. They are all ok, except that FSH is just above the minimal referent value.

FSH: 1,6 (ref. 1,5 - 12)
LH: 7,6 (ref 4 - 14,2)
Testosterone: 26,7 (ref. 9,9 - 27,8)

As you see, my hormones seem ok.
However, doctor prescribed a light clompihpene therapy, as she thinks that a slight FSH boost could produce more sperms... but it's all empiric... I really don't know where else to go and what else to check?!

What do you girls & guys think? Did anyone here had slightly _lower_ FSH and very low sperm count?
Thanks!

[ScootiesGirl]

We have MF and DOR (me & him). DH was on clomiphone for about 3-4 months in our early stages and it did increase his count but not significantly. We then went on to IVF w/ICSI due to the MF and my issues as well. As you can see by my signature we took a break and our back on our baby journey. We started acupuncture (both of us) and DH takes kidney strengthing herbs (from the acupuncturist) as well as l-carnitine, multivitamin and fish oil. I've been taking herbs as well and we are excited to see if this has helped us with our upcoming IVF (again with ICSI). If nothing else the acupuncture has done wonders for our stress levels and this is coming from a couple that wanted nothing to do with needles! ha ha. Look into your options, ask alot of questions and do what feels right for you both. Best of luck on your baby journey!

[rdchevygirl]

my husband is on clomid right now. he started a couple of months ago and at our last appointment his count was up from 10 million per ml. to 20.1 million per ml. so he has to stay on this until i get pregnant. i was very surprised that the clomid worked. i was very much in doubt. so dont give up hope! good luck!

[Missanry]

My husband has very low count and morph and the RE said we had less than 1% chance naturally.

There is nothing wrong with him physically, genetically, or hormonally. It is unexplained and weird since no one in his family has any issues. I've searched high and low and haven't found a reason either. It seems there is a lot more research done on the female reproductive system than the male system.

Scootie-PLZ let me know how dh's next SA comes out after the TCM therapy. My husband goes to an accupuncturist already for stress relief and occasional sports injuries but hasn't told him about the infertility yet. I think I'm gonna start going too until our IVF in March to boost the odds.

BFP's to ALL!!!

[Sunflower]

Thanks everyone!
I'm seriously considering acupuncture as an alternative.

And yes, female reproductive system is much more analysed. Heck, doctors cannot even agree on semen analysis - different labs have different referent values that vary greatly.

[jenedens6102]

Clomid was offered to my DH but it wasn't something he ever took. While his counts were low they were manageable so we spent more time worrying about his morphology rates. I know another suppliment out there is Fertility Blend for Men from GNC and that is what we started taking last January and it seemed to do the trick. I don't however have any medical backing on that because we didn't do a repeat SA in that time. Best wishes to you.

[ScootiesGirl]

Originally Posted by Missanry

Scootie-PLZ let me know how dh's next SA comes out after the TCM therapy. My husband goes to an accupuncturist already for stress relief and occasional sports injuries but hasn't told him about the infertility yet. I think I'm gonna start going too until our IVF in March to boost the odds.

BFP's to ALL!!!

I definitely will. He goes this Thursday and we should have the results within a week? I'll have to check with the RE's office but I will be bugging them! We are praying the numbers go up!

[Sunflower]

Hello girls and guys, I have done some more in-depth hormonal analysis.
I'd be more than grateful if you could provide me some assistance.

FSH - 1.71 (ref. val. 0,7-11.1mlU/ml)
LH - 7.23 (ref. 0,8 - 7,6 mlU/ml)
Estradiol - 53,5 (ref. 0,0 - 56 pg/ml)
Inhibin B - 208,67 (ref. 15,0 - 200,0 pg/ml)
Free testosterone - 19,5 (ref. 5,5 - 42 pg/ml)

As you see, all values are in their referent values, except Inhibin B. He is higher than normal.

I think it inhibits the creation of FSH, however my FSH value is ok. But I guess if inhibin B was somewhat lower (like 190), FSH would've been even higher, and with maybe higher sperm count.

Also, I have quite high Estradiol. It _is_ in the ref. values though.

..... I don't know, but maybe clomiphene therapy, since it's anti-estrogen and has FSH enhancing abilities could help me after all.... ?!

[BFNixon]

Originally Posted by jenedens6102

Clomid was offered to my DH but it wasn't something he ever took. While his counts were low they were manageable so we spent more time worrying about his morphology rates. I know another suppliment out there is Fertility Blend for Men from GNC and that is what we started taking last January and it seemed to do the trick. I don't however have any medical backing on that because we didn't do a repeat SA in that time. Best wishes to you.

so you ended up concieving naturally?...congratulations!!! You are truly blessed!

[crob]

sunflower, if your estradiol is high, you may be converting testosterone to estrogen too quickly and that can cause a decrease in production b/c you need testosterone to make sperm. if you take a medication like tamoxifen or arimidex, they block this conversion of testosterone to estrogen and increase sperm counts that way. might be an option rather than clomid.

[Matika]

Originally Posted by Missanry

My husband has very low count and morph and the RE said we had less than 1% chance naturally.

There is nothing wrong with him physically, genetically, or hormonally. It is unexplained and weird since no one in his family has any issues. I've searched high and low and haven't found a reason either. It seems there is a lot more research done on the female reproductive system than the male system.

Scootie-PLZ let me know how dh's next SA comes out after the TCM therapy. My husband goes to an accupuncturist already for stress relief and occasional sports injuries but hasn't told him about the infertility yet. I think I'm gonna start going too until our IVF in March to boost the odds.

BFP's to ALL!!!

Hi Missy. I was just curious to how the acupuncture came out? I was considering having my husband go to increase sperm count as it's really low. Is acupuncture painful? Where are the needles position for infertility?

[Sunflower]

Hi girls and guys. Long time no see.

Just wanted to say that I've started a GonalF therapy with my endocrinologist.
I received my first injection of 75UI.

She thinks that I have a rare isolated FSH deficiency.
I consulted several doctors and while they gave different opinions (like, my FSH isn't really deficient) they all agreed that my FSH was indeed lower than usual.

Fertile men usually have a FSH from 3 to 5, while mine is 1,6 - 1,7.
Add to that that my other hormones are normal but in mid-high of referred values, lower FSH in combination with those mid-high hormones (LH, testosterone) could be the reason for poor sperm productions.

I'm hoping for the best, but need to wait minimum 3 months to check...argh. Wish me luck and patience!

@Crob, thanks for answering my question. Fortunately estradiol is okay and not to worry about!

[mgmsrk]

Wish you the best of luck!