[the47club]

Hello,

I am a 23 year old male and I recently learned that I am pretty much infertile. I thought about donating sperm for extra income. The results were rather bad. From my entire sample they only found 2 million, 70% motile. I estimate that it was about 4ml, so that's 500,000 per ml, or roughly 1/100 of normal.

Now I don't know what to do. I'm so young, and I have my whole life ahead of me, but what do I do when I get into a relationship? I suppose I could find a spouse who definitely doesn't want children, but what happens if they change their mind and begin to resent me?

The other thing is I'd still like to give it a shot. But I realize that the odds are next to nothing that we would be successful. I couldn't do that to someone.

How early into a relationship should I tell girls? I'm not an advocate of wasting girls' time.

[tryingforfirst]

You should see a reproductive endocrinologist. My husband has low count and they did some tests that revealed low testosterone. He is on Arimidex and will be tested tomorrow to find out if he is a responder. If so, taking that medication over time could increase his sperm count to normal levels. You never know what may be causing the low count. There are other things too that can be treated. And if you know ahead of time enough, you could have enough time to treat it before you're even ready to try for a baby. Its probably a good idea to get it checked now.

And I wouldn't mention that to any girl you start dating unless you're considering a future with babies with her.... that is just me though.

[mgmsrk]

There is no reason to think you will not be able to have kids with those numbers. I would recommend seeing a urologist who specializes in male IF.

Unless you are in a serious long time relationship there is no need to bring this up with any women you are dating.

[the47club]

Originally Posted by mgmsrk

There is no reason to think you will not be able to have kids with those numbers. I would recommend seeing a urologist who specializes in male IF.

Unless you are in a serious long time relationship there is no need to bring this up with any women you are dating.

First, thank you for the supportive comments.

I have read that anything below 20 million/ml is considered "infertile" and at that level one should expect complications with conception, but even more so at 10 million/ml, which is the threshold for "very infertile" or whatever it's called. Since I'm obviously well below 1 million/ml, it seems that I should have a reason to believe I will never have kids. Please, correct me if I'm wrong!

I know that I can try IVF and anything else science has to offer, but I can't help but feel that I am without reproductive capabilities. Therefore I cannot imagine having a meaningful relationship with anyone other than a woman who is certain she is not interested in children. Otherwise I am living a lie, and nothing could be less exciting or should I say more pointless than having a relationship where I am deceiving my mate...

Are there any barren folks who understand this sentiment?

[littleblue]

Originally Posted by the47club

First, thank you for the supportive comments.

I have read that anything below 20 million/ml is considered "infertile" and at that level one should expect complications with conception, but even more so at 10 million/ml, which is the threshold for "very infertile" or whatever it's called. Since I'm obviously well below 1 million/ml, it seems that I should have a reason to believe I will never have kids. Please, correct me if I'm wrong!

my DH's first count was 6 million and the doctor told us it is "possible" for us to have children. i don't know yet what kind of hoops we will have to jump through in order to have a child, but i hope that once his hormone levels are normal we will have a clearer picture. you are lucky to have found out so early, before marriage i mean, the shock of discovering DH's IF after a year of TTC is like a double punch to the stomach. research a bit and see a good urologist, there is a lot you can find out and perhaps remedy before you even find the right gal. and like the others have said here its not important for you to tell any women about your special things until you think to marry her or have children. I don't love my DH any less after we found out, but i didn't marry him for his number of sperm we are best friends and take everything together.

btw i'm new here, but i have read that there are some couples who have had children from sperm levels less then a million. search around the forum and you will read success stories. it keeps me positive.

[amyinohio]

My husband always thought that he may have trouble conceiving a child due to the fact that he has a chronic illness and has been on an aggressive treatment since he was 10. We discussed this possibility while we were dating and it NEVER detoured me from continuing in the relationship.

18 months ago our suspicision were confirmed and his SA's all came back with 3-0 sperm. Through the miracles of science we are expecting our little girl in August. It is very possible to have children, and because you know now you will not waste time TTC the old fashion way.

This dx should not keep you from prusueing a relationship. Love conquers all and when you find the right person she will love you unconditionally.

Good Luck!